Paul's Greeting and Thanksgiving for God's Faithfulness
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
1Cor.1.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- κλητος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- αποστολος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δια: PREP
- θεληματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Σωσθενης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αδελφος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Romans 1:1 (verbal): Paul’s opening self-designation as an apostle of Jesus Christ (similar vocational title and epistolary greeting).
- Galatians 1:1 (thematic): Emphasizes Paul’s divine calling to apostleship—an apostolic commission originating from Christ and God rather than from human authorities.
- Colossians 1:1 (verbal): Nearly identical formula: 'Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,' with a named co-sender (Timothy) paralleling the Sosthenes mention here.
- 2 Corinthians 1:1 (verbal): Same opening formula ('Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God') and inclusion of a companion (Timothy) in the greeting—structurally close to 1 Cor 1:1.
- Acts 18:17 (allusion): Mentions a Sosthenes (the synagogue leader beaten in Corinth); possible identification with the Sosthenes named as 'the brother' in 1 Corinthians 1:1, linking the letter to Corinthian context.
Alternative generated candidates
- Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
- Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
1Cor.1.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- εκκλησια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ηγιασμενοις: PART,perf,pass,dat,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- ουση: PART,pres,act,dat,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- Κορινθω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- κλητοις: PART,perf,pass,dat,pl,m
- αγιοις: ADJ,pos,dat,pl,m
- συν: PREP
- πασιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- επικαλουμενοις: PART,pres,mid,dat,pl,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- παντι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- τοπω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ημων·: PRON,gen,pl,1
Parallels
- Romans 1:7 (verbal): Paul uses the phrase 'called to be saints' and addresses the community in a Pauline salutation—parallels the language 'κλητοις αγιοις' (called saints).
- 2 Corinthians 1:1 (verbal): Addressed 'to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia'—directly parallels the 'church of God in Corinth' formula and the mention of 'all' the saints in the region.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:1 (verbal): Greeting 'to the church of the Thessalonians... sanctified in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ' echoes the designation 'sanctified in Christ Jesus' in 1 Cor 1:2.
- Romans 10:12-13 (thematic): The phrase 'call on the name of the Lord' in Romans (quoting Joel) parallels 1 Cor 1:2's 'those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ'—a theological link between invoking the Lord and communal identity.
- Ephesians 1:1-2 (structural): Paul's salutation to 'the saints who are in Ephesus' and the benediction 'grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ' parallels the structural form of addressing a city's church as 'saints' and invoking 'our Lord Jesus Christ.'
Alternative generated candidates
- to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:
- to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints, together with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:
1Cor.1.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- χαρις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- και: CONJ
- ειρηνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- απο: PREP
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- πατρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- και: CONJ
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Romans 1:7 (verbal): Paul's opening greeting uses the same formula—'grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ'—addressing the Roman church.
- 2 Corinthians 1:2 (verbal): Nearly identical salutation in Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, repeating the 'grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ' formula.
- Galatians 1:3 (verbal): Same benediction—'grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ'—showing a consistent Pauline greeting.
- Ephesians 1:2 (verbal): Uses the same greeting formula ('grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ'), reflecting Paul's standard epistolary salutation.
- 2 Corinthians 13:14 (thematic): A related Trinitarian blessing ('the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit') that develops the themes of grace, peace, and the persons of God present in Paul's greetings.
Alternative generated candidates
- Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Cor.1.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Ευχαριστω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- παντοτε: ADV
- περι: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- επι: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- χαριτι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- δοθειση: PTCP,aor,pass,dat,sg,f
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- εν: PREP
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Romans 1:8 (verbal): Paul opens a thanksgiving by saying 'I thank my God ... through Jesus Christ'—closely parallels the formulaic phrasing of gratitude offered in Christ for the recipients.
- Philippians 1:3-5 (verbal): Paul repeatedly thanks God for the Philippians ('I thank my God every time I remember you') and ties the thanksgiving to their fellowship in the gospel and grace experienced in Christ.
- Colossians 1:3 (verbal): A similar thanksgiving formula: 'We give thanks to God ... praying always for you,' linking gratitude to the Father of Jesus Christ and concern for the community.
- Ephesians 1:16 (thematic): Paul's continual thanksgiving for recipients and remembrance in prayer echoes the theme of grateful prayer for believers grounded in Christ's grace.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:2 (verbal): Another Pauline thanksgiving: 'We give thanks to God always for you all,' matching the devotional practice of thanking God for the church's status in Christ.
Alternative generated candidates
- I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,
- I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace that was given you in Christ Jesus,
1Cor.1.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- παντι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- επλουτισθητε: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- παντι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- λογω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- παση: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- γνωσει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 1:7 (structural): Immediate contextual parallel within the same chapter: Paul continues the thought of spiritual enrichment, saying the believers 'are not lacking in any gift,' linking enrichment with the presence of spiritual gifts.
- 1 Corinthians 12:8 (verbal): Uses the same lexical pairings of 'word' (λόγος) and 'knowledge' (γνώσις) in the context of Spirit‑given gifts (word of wisdom, word of knowledge), paralleling 1 Cor 1:5's emphasis on enrichment in speech and knowledge.
- Colossians 2:3 (verbal): Speaks of Christ as containing 'all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,' echoing the idea that believers are enriched 'in him' with wisdom/knowledge—close verbal and theological parallel.
- Ephesians 1:17–18 (thematic): Paul's prayer for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation and for enlightened knowledge of Christ resonates with 1 Cor 1:5's theme of believers being enriched in knowledge and insight given by God.
- 2 Peter 1:5–8 (thematic): Urges believers to add to faith 'knowledge' (γνῶσις) and other virtues so that they may be effective and mature—reflects the ethical and formative implications of being 'enriched... in every knowledge' in 1 Cor 1:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- for in every way you have been enriched in him— in all speech and all knowledge—
- for in every way you have been enriched in him—in every word and in every knowledge—
1Cor.1.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- καθως: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μαρτυριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,masc
- εβεβαιωθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
Parallels
- Colossians 1:6 (thematic): Both speak of the gospel/testimony coming to a community and bearing fruit or being evident among them (the gospel 'has come to you' and is bearing fruit, like the testimony of Christ being confirmed in the Corinthians).
- 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (thematic): Paul emphasizes that the gospel arrived among the Thessalonians 'not in word only but in power'—paralleling the idea that the testimony of Christ was confirmed/validated in the believers.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (thematic): Here recipients receive God's word as what it really is and it 'works' in them; parallels 1 Cor 1:6’s assertion that the testimony about Christ was established and active among the congregation.
- Romans 10:17 (verbal): 'Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ'—links the 'testimony/word of Christ' language to the effect it has in producing and confirming faith among hearers.
- Acts 16:5 (thematic): 'The churches were strengthened in the faith and increased'—an account of the word/testimony being confirmed and the community being established, echoing the confirmation of Christ’s testimony in Corinth.
Alternative generated candidates
- even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you,
- as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you,
1Cor.1.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ωστε: CONJ
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- μη: PART
- υστερεισθαι: VERB,pres,pass,inf
- εν: PREP
- μηδενι: PRON,dat,sg,n
- χαρισματι: NOUN,dat,sg,neut
- απεκδεχομενους: PART,pres,mid/pass,acc,pl,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αποκαλυψιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου·: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 1:5 (thematic): Paul says the Corinthians have been 'enriched in everything' (speech and knowledge), paralleling 1:7's affirmation that they lack no gift—both stress spiritual endowment given by Christ/Spirit.
- 1 Corinthians 1:8 (verbal): Immediate context: 1:8 continues the thought of 1:7 by promising God will keep them 'blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,' linking gifts with the awaited revelation/coming.
- 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (thematic): A fuller treatment of 'gifts' (charismata): this passage explains the variety, source (Spirit), and purpose of spiritual gifts mentioned in 1:7.
- 1 Peter 1:13 (verbal): Uses similar language of setting hope on the grace to be revealed 'at the revelation of Jesus Christ,' paralleling the eschatological expectation in 1:7.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 (thematic): Describes the 'appearing/revelation' of Jesus and its eschatological consequences; parallels 1:7's focus on awaiting Christ's revelation as a future, decisive event.
Alternative generated candidates
- so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, while you await the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Cor.1.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- βεβαιωσει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- εως: CONJ
- τελους: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- ανεγκλητους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- ημερα: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Philippians 1:6 (verbal): God will complete the work he began 'until the day of Christ Jesus' — parallels the promise that he will 'confirm you to the end.'
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (verbal): Prayer that God will 'preserve you blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ' and the assurance 'faithful is he who calls you, who also will do it' closely echoes both the eschatological timing and God’s guaranteeing action in 1 Cor 1:8.
- Jude 24 (verbal): Doxology that God is able 'to present you faultless' before his glory — language and the idea of being presented blameless at God's presence parallel 1 Cor 1:8's 'blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.'
- 2 Peter 3:14 (thematic): Exhortation to be 'found by him in peace, without spot and blameless' echoes the ethical and eschatological emphasis on being blameless at the Lord’s coming found in 1 Cor 1:8.
Alternative generated candidates
- He will also sustain you to the end, blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- He will also sustain you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Cor.1.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- πιστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δι᾽ου: PREP+REL,gen,sg,m
- εκληθητε: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,pl
- εις: PREP
- κοινωνιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- υιου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
Parallels
- 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (verbal): Uses the same assertion of God’s faithfulness in connection with calling: “Faithful is he who calls you,” paralleling πιστός ὁ Θεός and the theme of God’s fidelity to his call.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (verbal): Declares the Lord’s faithfulness to preserve and guard believers (“The Lord is faithful…he will guard you”), echoing the motif πιστός/faithful applied to God’s care for those called.
- 1 John 1:3 (verbal): Speaks of koinōnia/fellowship explicitly — “that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ” — directly parallel to being called into fellowship with the Son.
- Romans 8:28–30 (thematic): Develops the theological context of divine calling (those he foreknew he also called), showing the broader soteriological framework behind being ‘called into fellowship’ and God’s faithfulness in accomplishing salvation.
- Romans 1:7 (verbal): Paul’s greeting to Romans addresses believers as those ‘called to be saints,’ using the language of calling (κλητοί) that parallels ἐκλήθητε (you were called) into corporate status and relationship in Christ.
Alternative generated candidates
- God is faithful, by whom you were called into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
- God is faithful, by whom you were called into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paul, called as an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
to the church of God that is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints — together with all who, in every place, call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God always for you, because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,
that in every way you have been enriched in him — in every utterance and in all knowledge —
so that the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you,
and so you are not lacking in any gift, as you await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He will sustain you to the end, that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful; by him you were called into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.