1 Corinthians 1:2
“to the assembly of God which is at Corinth; those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours:”
What does 1 Corinthians 1:2 mean?
Paul begins his letter by addressing the church at Corinth not with criticism, but by reminding them who they are: people set apart by Christ and called to be holy. The phrase "sanctified in Christ Jesus" means they've been made clean and dedicated to God through their relationship with Jesus, not because of anything they've earned. What's beautiful here is that Paul extends this greeting beyond just Corinth to include "all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place," suggesting that this identity as God's beloved and set-apart people belongs to everyone everywhere who trusts in Jesus, not just one community. Even though the Corinthians faced real struggles and divisions (which Paul will address), he starts by affirming their worth and belonging, reminding them that being called by God is their truest identity.