1 Corinthians 1-4. The Parties in the Corinthian Church.
1 Corinthians 1:1-9. The epistle is sent in the joint names of Paul and Sosthenes, who may have been the ruler of the synagogue mentioned in Acts 18:17, but the name was common. He seems to have had no share in the composition of the letter. The salutation sets before the readers the holiness of their vocation and the brotherhood of the saints, both of which their conduct repudiated. In the thanksgiving which follows, the omission of qualities which ought to characterise a church is as significant as the inclusion of those mentioned. They were stronger in gifts than in graces, and even the gifts had their weak side, the church had in Bruce's phrase, run to tongue, and plumed itself on its knowledge. Yet Paul recognises that the Christian hope burns in them, and is confident that by Christ's help they will stand without impeachment (the term refers to status, not character) at the Judgment. This certainty that Christ will so establish them rests on the faithfulness of God, who in the call pledged Himself to the salvation of those who accepted it.