John Chrysostom

See how immediately, from the very beginning, he casts down their pride, and dashes to the ground all their fond imagination, in that he speaks of himself as "called." For what I have learnt, saith he, I discovered not myself, nor acquired by my own wisdom, but while I was persecuting and laying waste the Church I was called. Now here of Him that calleth is everything: of him that is called, nothing, (so to speak,) but only to obey. …

Homily on 1 Corinthians 1 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Here is the beginning, directly exposing the false teachers. I, he says, was called, and did not invent it myself, did not attain it by my own wisdom, and was sent by Christ, and did not ordain myself, as your teachers did. "Jesus Christ." The Teacher is Christ: how then do you appoint men as teachers for yourselves? "By the will" (δια θελήματος) "of God." He saved and called us not because we were worthy of it, but because it was pleasing to Him. Therefore now He Himself also wills that I be your apostle. …

Commentary on 1 Corinthians ↗

Thomas Aquinas

This epistle is divided into two parts: in the first he sends his greeting and in the other his message (v. 4). As to the first he does three things: first, he mentions the persons who send the greeting; secondly, the persons greeted (v. 2); thirdly, he wishes them well (v. 3). As to the first he mentions the principal person first and describes him from his name, Paul. Enough had been said about this name in the epistle to the Romans. …

Commentary on 1 Corinthians ↗