2 Corinthians 1:1

Letters to the Faithful - 1 Corinthians 1:1

Berean Standard Bible

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:

King James Bible

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

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To the beloved of God across every nation, language, and generation—to the saints gathered in the name of Jesus, called out from darkness into His marvelous light, joined not by heritage or location, but by one Spirit and one hope—I greet you in the grace and peace that flows from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I write to you today stirred by the opening words of a letter written long ago by the apostle Paul, a man once an enemy of the Church, now a servant of Christ. He identifies himself not according to his past, but according to his calling: “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” These words, though part of a customary greeting, carry within them the weight of identity, the power of purpose, and the sobering reminder that we do not choose ourselves for the work of the kingdom. We are chosen, commissioned, and sent according to His will.

Paul did not appoint himself; nor did he ascend to his role by merit or ambition. He was made an apostle by the will of God—a will that interrupted his plans, overturned his credentials, and redefined his life. This is the testimony of all true servants: not that they reached for greatness, but that God reached into their brokenness and called them by name. This is our starting place. Before titles, before ministry, before influence—there is the will of God. It is that holy purpose which takes hold of us and shapes us into vessels fit for His use.

Let every believer take comfort and courage in this truth: your worth and calling do not originate from human approval. They are not secured by qualifications or circumstances. They are rooted in the eternal counsel of God. Whether your assignment is public or hidden, short or lifelong, your placement in the kingdom is intentional. You are not here by accident. You are not serving by default. You are appointed by heaven for such a time as this.

And yet, Paul does not speak of himself alone. He writes “with our brother Timothy,” signaling not just authorship but fellowship. Ministry is not a solitary road. Though callings are personal, the mission is communal. Paul, though mighty in revelation, walked with companions in the faith. He shared his burden and his blessings. He recognized that the grace given to him was not a private possession but a resource to be multiplied in partnership.

This challenges us, especially in an age where individualism is often mistaken for spiritual strength. The body of Christ is not a collection of lone warriors but a living organism—each part interconnected, each gift intended for mutual edification. Let us then reject the spirit of competition and embrace the spirit of collaboration. Let pastors labor beside evangelists. Let prophets walk with teachers. Let apostles raise up shepherds, and let saints of all callings learn to honor one another. We are not built upon our gifts but upon Christ, and in Him, we are one.

Paul addresses this letter “to the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia.” He does not write to a building, a program, or a denomination—but to the Church of God. And not just to one city, but to all the saints throughout the region. This greeting, too, carries holy meaning. It reminds us that though the Church may gather in different locations, and though its expressions may vary, it is singular in its ownership and divine in its origin. It is the Church of God—not of man, not of culture, not of preference. It is not ours to redefine, to fragment, or to commercialize. It is God’s—bought with His blood, sustained by His Spirit, and guided by His Word.

Let every believer walk with reverence toward this identity. Let us not degrade the Church through disunity or contempt. Let us not idolize one part while neglecting the whole. Let us not seek to build our name within it, but to lift up the name of Christ through it. For the Church is not just a Sunday gathering or a structure of governance—it is a spiritual family, a bride being prepared, a holy dwelling place for the presence of God.

And now, as Paul continues his greeting, he declares a blessing: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” These are not empty words. They are not mere religious formality. They are the flow of heaven into human lives. Grace—the empowering presence of God to do His will, to be transformed, to endure, to overcome. Peace—not the fragile peace of circumstance, but the unshakable peace that comes from reconciliation with God and alignment with His purposes.

We need this grace and peace more than ever. For the days are filled with trial, and the call is weighty. We labor in a world that resists the truth. We battle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers. We are misunderstood, misrepresented, and sometimes weary. But we are not without supply. The same grace that called Paul still calls us. The same peace that guarded his heart still anchors ours. This grace is sufficient. This peace surpasses understanding. And both come not from within ourselves, but from our Father and from our Savior.

Let every believer reading this know that you are not striving alone. You are not fighting by your own strength. You have been graced by the will of God to stand, to speak, to serve, and to persevere. Whether you are in a position of leadership or simply seeking to be faithful in your daily walk, you are part of the same holy calling. The will of God has found you. The grace of God empowers you. And the peace of God keeps you.

So then, beloved, let us walk worthy of the calling we have received. Let us labor not for recognition but for obedience. Let us remember that we are part of something far greater than ourselves—a holy people, a spiritual body, a Church set apart for the glory of God. Let us stand in unity, walk in love, speak the truth, and finish our race with joy.

And when we forget our place, when we grow discouraged, when the burden seems too great, let us return to this truth: we are here not by our own will, but by His. We are called not to promote ourselves, but to proclaim Him. And we are carried not by our strength, but by His Spirit.

May grace and peace be multiplied to you. May your faith be steadfast. May your heart be pure. May your joy be full. And may your life bear witness to the One who called you by name.

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O Sovereign and Eternal God, the Father of all mercy and the fountain of unending grace, we come before You today with awe in our hearts and reverence in our voices. You who rule the heavens and direct the course of history, You who have called Your people from every tribe and tongue into one holy body, we bless Your name and give You glory. For You have chosen us not according to our own wisdom or merit, but by the counsel of Your perfect will and the richness of Your mercy.

We thank You, Lord, that You still call, and You still send. You raise up voices in the wilderness, servants in the household, and shepherds over the flock. You appoint according to Your wisdom, not the standards of men. You take the weak and make them vessels of strength. You take the unworthy and robe them with Your righteousness. You call Your servants, not because they are qualified, but because You are faithful.

We remember that the calling is not ours to create—it is Yours to give. And so we bow, not in presumption, but in surrender. We do not ask for position, but for purpose. We do not seek titles, but faithfulness. Let us walk in the calling You have given, with humility and with holy fear. Let us be faithful in our assignment, whether it is great in the eyes of the world or unseen by men. Let us not measure the value of our labor by visibility, but by obedience to Your voice.

And Lord, we thank You not only for individual calling, but for the fellowship of the saints. You have not called us to walk alone. You have given us a family of faith—a Church that spans generations and continents, a body that shares in the life of Christ. Though we are many, we are one. Though our expressions differ, our foundation is the same. Teach us to cherish this fellowship, to protect its unity, to honor one another in love. Let every wall of division be torn down. Let every root of bitterness be uprooted. Let the love that flows from Your heart bind us together in purpose, in mission, and in Spirit.

We pray for the Church in every region—those gathered in cities and in villages, in freedom and in persecution, in joy and in sorrow. Let Your grace rest upon every congregation, every household of faith, every faithful shepherd and devoted disciple. May Your presence dwell richly among them. May their testimony be strong. May their hearts be pure. May their light shine in the midst of darkness, and may their voices proclaim Your goodness without fear or shame.

And Lord, we ask that You pour out again the same grace and peace that flowed from Your heart through the mouths of Your apostles. Not a peace that comes from ease, but a peace that anchors in storms. Not a grace that excuses, but a grace that empowers. Let Your grace teach us to live upright in this present age. Let Your peace guard our hearts when trials come. Let Your Spirit write these gifts upon our lives so that we carry them into every place You send us.

Help us, Father, to remember that we are not our own. We have been bought with a price and set apart for Your purposes. We belong to You and to one another. Let our lives reflect that truth. Let us carry one another’s burdens. Let us speak words that edify, not wound. Let us give without keeping record, serve without seeking praise, and worship without reservation. Let us be a Church that honors the name of Christ in word and deed.

We pray for those who lead among us—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Let them be guarded from pride and weariness. Let them walk in purity, not performance. Let them build on the foundation that cannot be shaken. Let them equip the saints and magnify the Son. And for those who serve behind the scenes, whose names are not known but whose prayers sustain the work, may they receive double honor from You. You see what no one else sees. You remember what others forget.

Lord, keep us anchored in the simplicity of the call—to love You with all our heart, to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to proclaim the message of reconciliation. Let us not be distracted by ambition, nor derailed by discouragement. Let us not exchange devotion for activity or sacrifice depth for speed. Keep us rooted in Your presence. Keep us grounded in the truth. Keep us moving forward with boldness and tenderness, with urgency and wisdom, with passion and purity.

And as we await the return of the One who has called us, let us be found faithful. Let us be found working, loving, praying, enduring. Let us be found with oil in our lamps and fire in our hearts. Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we shall see the fruit of what You have planted through our obedience.

We lift our eyes to You now, the One who calls, the One who sends, the One who unites, and the One who sustains. To You belong all glory, all honor, all praise. Let the Church reflect Your beauty. Let the saints walk in Your power. Let the world see Jesus in us.

In His holy and matchless name we pray,

Amen.