Ambrosiaster : Paul writes to the church as a whole, because at that time leaders had not yet been appointed for individual churches. He censures them for many things, but in spite of that he still says that they have been sanctified. However, they later began to behave badly, so that although the whole church was sanctified in Christ, some members of it had been deflected from the truth by the wicked teaching of the false apostles.The Corinthians were called to be saints, which means that they could not deviate from the narrow path of sanctification. Paul linked them, as Gentiles, with the true Jews, because salvation is of the Jews, so that wherever there are Gentiles who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and wherever there are true Jews, both are united in him. But the false apostles, who preached the name of Christ in accordance with the wisdom of this world, criticized the law and the prophets. Like Marcion and Mani, they maintained that Christ was not really crucified but that it merely appeared that he had been. Neither did they believe in the resurrection of the body. — COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES John Chrysostom : "Unto the Church of God." Not "of this or of that man," but of God. "Which is at Corinth." Seest thou how at each word he puts down their swelling pride; training their thoughts in every way for heaven? He calls it, too, the Church "of God;" shewing that it ought to be united. For if it be "of God," it is united, and it is one, not in Corinth only, but also in all the world: for the Church's name (exxlhsia: properly an assembly) is not a name of separation, but of unity and concord. "To the sanctified in Christ Jesus." Again the name of Jesus; the names of men he findeth no place for. But what is Sanctification? The Laver, the Purification. For he reminds them of their own uncleanness, from which he had freed them; and so persuades them to lowliness of mind; for not by their own good deeds, but by the loving-kindness of God, had they been sanctified. "Called to be Saints." For even this, to be saved by faith, is not saith he, of yourselves; for ye did not first draw near, but were called; so that not even this small matter is yours altogether. However, though you had drawn near, accountable as you are for innumerable wickednesses, not even so would the grace be yours, but God's. Hence also, writing to the Ephesians, he said, (Ephesians 2:8) "By grace have ye been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves;" not even the faith is yours altogether; for ye were not first with your belief, but obeyed a call. "With all who call upon the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Not "of this or that man," but "the Name of the Lord." "In every place, both theirs and ours." For although the letter be written to the Corinthians only, yet he makes mention of all the faithful that are in all the earth; showing that the Church throughout the world must be one, however separate in divers places; and much more, that in Corinth. And though the place separate, the Lord binds them together, being common to all. Wherefore also uniting them he adds, "both theirs and ours." And this is far more powerful [to unite], than the other [to separate]. For as men in one place, having many and contrary masters, become distracted, and their one place helps them not to be of one mind, their masters giving orders at variance with each other, and drawing each their own way, according to what Christ says, (Matthew 6:24) "Ye cannot serve God and Mammon;" so those in different places, if they have not different lords but one only, are not by the places injured in respect of unanimity, the One Lord binding them together. "I say not then, (so he speaks,) that with Corinthians only, you being Corinthians ought to be of one mind, but with all that are in the whole world, inasmuch as you have a common Master." This is also why he hath a second time added "our;" for since he had said, "the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord," lest he should appear to the inconsiderate to be making a distinction, he subjoins again, "both our Lord and theirs." That my meaning may be clearer, I will read it according to its sense thus: "Paul and Sosthenes to the Church of God which is in Corinth and to all who call upon the Name of Him who is both our Lord and theirs in every place, whether in Rome or wheresoever else they may be: grace unto you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Or again thus; which I also believe to be rather more correct: "Paul and Sosthenes to those that are at Corinth, who have been sancified, called to be Saints, together with all who call upon the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ in place, both theirs and ours; "that is to say, "grace unto you, and peace unto you, who are at Corinth, who have been sanctified and called;" not to you alone, but "with all who in every place call upon the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and theirs." — Homily on 1 Corinthians 1 Origen of Alexandria : Why did Paul write "to those called to be saints" as well as to those who are already "sanctified" and in the church? Surely this means that the letter is addressed not only to those who are already cleansed from their sins but also to those who still await cleansing, though they are among those whom God has called. — COMMENTARY ON 1 CORINTHIANS 1.1.7 Origen of Alexandria : For just as not only fornication but also second marriages exclude a man from ecclesiastical dignities — for neither a bishop nor a presbyter nor a deacon nor a widow can be twice-married — so perhaps the twice-married man will also be cast out from the assembly of the "firstborn and undefiled", the "Church, which has no spot or wrinkle"; not that he is sent into the eternal fire, but that he has no part in the kingdom of God. I recall that, when I was interpreting that which is written to the Corinthians: "to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all who call upon him", I said that there is a distinction between the "church" and those "who call upon" the name of the Lord. For I think that the man of one marriage and the virgin and he who perseveres in chastity belong to the church of God, but that he who is twice-married, although he may have had a good manner of life and abound in the other virtues, nevertheless does not belong to the "church" and to that number which "has no wrinkle or spot, or any such thing", but belongs to a second rank and to those "who call upon" the name of the Lord, and who are indeed saved in the name of Jesus Christ, yet are by no means crowned by him: to whom be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. — HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF Luke 17 Pelagius : Paul is writing to those who have preserved their sanctity, not to those who have lost it. The former he honors with his letter; the latter he admonishes with his authority. — COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 1 Theodoret of Cyrus : Everything Paul mentions here is meant to be a remedy for the disease of schism. They are meant to heal division and display the church's unity. — COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 165