1 Corinthians 1:2
What does 1 Corinthians 1:2 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 1:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 1:2 means
Paul addresses the church of God at Corinth as those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints, joining them with all who call upon the name of the Lord everywhere. Their identity is not local or tribal; they belong to God and are holy in Christ. Sainthood is not a special class but the normal calling of believers set apart by union with Jesus. By placing “their Lord and ours,” Paul emphasizes that Jesus rules universally, uniting scattered believers into one family. This greeting dignifies the Corinthians despite their problems, reminding them that holiness and unity flow from being in Christ, not from their performance or allegiance to favorite teachers.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000unto the church of God which is at Corinth, eventhem that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, calledto besaints, with all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, theirLordand ours:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901unto the church of God which is at Corinth, eventhem that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, calledto besaints, with all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, theirLordand ours:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been made holy in Christ Jesus, saints by the selection of God, with all those who in every place give honour to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862to the assembly of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints, with all those calling upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place--both theirs and ours:
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752To the church of God that is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that invoke the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place of theirs and ours.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890to the assembly ofGod which is in Corinth, to [those] sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints, with all that in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both theirs and ours:
Context
After naming himself, Paul defines his audience and their identity in Christ. This sets the theological foundation for addressing division: they are one church among all who call on the same Lord (verses 10–13 will confront factions). The language of sanctification anticipates later corrections by rooting holiness in Christ’s work. Verse 3 will extend a blessing of grace and peace. Verses 4–9 will thank God for grace and gifts given to this sanctified community, framing reproof within affirmation of God’s work among them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 3:22
even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction;
- 1 Thessalonians 4:7
For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:1
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ;
- 2 Corinthians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints that are in the whole of Achaia:
- 2 Thessalonians 2:16
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,
- Genesis 13:4
unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of Jehovah.
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