1 Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:1–3
To be in a position to pastor a church requires a special calling. Most of us have not been called to lead a church, but through particular interests and inclinations, unique opportunities, and outside influences, we have wound up where we are. It really takes the introduction of the will of God to sway a man into ministry, especially a gifted man, to veer off a worldly or traditional trajectory destined for wealth and security to a life of reliance on God and uncertainty.
In Paul’s case, he was the epitome of a rising leader in the Jewish faith, destined for greatness forged on a reputation of relentlessly persecuting and prosecuting Christians. From this preoccupation he was personally called to be an apostle of the very person he was aligned against, Jesus Christ, who took him somewhat forcibly into service to the Gentile world that would involve three missionary journeys, the second of which would include at least a year in Corinth in Europe, and on his third foray he’d write that gifted and wealthy church founded there to correct some key problems, not unlike those we deal with today in our “gifted and wealthy” churches. Since most of Paul’s letters are built on an initial solid theological foundation, this introduction to his letter should not be glossed over, but camped on.
Verse 1 contains a case in point, that of Paul’s partner Sosthenes, once a leader in the synagogue and initially in opposition to Paul, but called “as a saint” and now by his side. Only God could pull this off. Then there were the sanctified saints in the church who were called to call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since a calling must be bestowed by another, there is a component of exclusivity in it, but the act can only be consummated by the affirmative answer of the called. While the called must reciprocate, if it comes from God, it’s certainly debatable that it can be refused. In Paul’s experience, the answer would be an emphatic “no” it can’t. And quess what, “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29)
I think back to the blind man from birth cured by Jesus who was interrogated by the rulers of the synagogue as to what had happened to him, and he said in so many words, “all I know is that I was blind and now I see.” (John 9:25) The calling of God is indeed mysterious, but I can say emphatically that I was.
“To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. (John 10:3)
And…
God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9
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