1 Corinthians 1:9
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
3 of 16
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
δι'
by
G1223
δι'
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
4 of 16
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
οὗ
whom
G3739
οὗ
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
5 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐκλήθητε
ye were called
G2564
ἐκλήθητε
ye were called
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
6 of 16
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 16
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
κοινωνίαν
the fellowship
G2842
κοινωνίαν
the fellowship
Strong's:
G2842
Word #:
8 of 16
partnership, i.e., (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱοῦ
Son
G5207
υἱοῦ
Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
10 of 16
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
αὐτοῦ
of his
G846
αὐτοῦ
of his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
12 of 16
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
2 Thessalonians 3:3But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.Deuteronomy 7:9Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;Hebrews 10:23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)1 Corinthians 10:13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.1 John 1:3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.Isaiah 49:7Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.Deuteronomy 32:4He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.Psalms 100:5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.Revelation 19:11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Historical Context
Ancient Greco-Roman society was structured by patron-client relationships, voluntary associations, and philosophical schools—all of which fostered loyalty to human leaders. The Corinthians imported this culture into the church, forming competing factions. Paul redirects their loyalty: true fellowship is with Christ, mediated by God's call, not by human charisma or eloquence.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's faithfulness (not our performance) provide the foundation for assurance of salvation?
- What does it mean practically to be "called unto the fellowship of His Son"?
- How should union with Christ reshape our view of church unity and the sinfulness of factions?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord (pistos ho theos, πιστὸς ὁ θεός)—Paul grounds assurance in God's character: pistos (πιστός, "faithful, reliable, trustworthy") is the adjective form of pistis (faith). God's faithfulness guarantees our perseverance, answering the implied question: Can we endure to the end? Yes, because God is faithful, not because we are strong.
By whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son (di' hou eklethete eis koinonian, δι' οὗ ἐκλήθητε εἰς κοινωνίαν)—The verb kaleo (καλέω, "to call") appears again in the passive voice: God called them. Koinonia (κοινωνία, "fellowship, partnership, communion") means shared participation, not mere association. Believers are united to Christ and therefore to one another—the theological foundation for Paul's rebuke of factions in verses 10-17. How can those who share union with Christ divide over Paul, Apollos, or Cephas?