1 Corinthians 11:18, There Be Divisions Among You

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1 Corinthians 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

The Apostle Paul highlights that there is a factious spirit in the congregation. He has been informed by Chloe’s household about these factions.

1 Corinthians 1:10-12 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

The Apostle Paul has been informed by brethren from the house of Chloe of the division in the church of Corinth where rival cliques are formed threatening the unity and peace of the body. These cliques claim to have the Apostle Paul, Apollos, Cephas or Peter and Christ as their leaders. As far as the Apostle Paul is concerned, he has not supported the formation of such a clique in his name. He expressed surprise! He spent one and half year in Corinth to establish the new believers in the faith and teach the Word of God to them. He did not recall teaching them to do any of such contentious behaviour. He urges them to stop devouring one another by such imaginary factions that divide the believers. It genders confusion and robs the peace in the church. Such behaviour is not of God. Such prideful misuse of their leaders’ name and Christ’s Name is most deplorable, transgressing the first three commandments.

He has also received an oral report from a delegation coming from Corinth –  1 Corinthians 16:17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. These divisions came as a result of the diverse background of the believers – culturally, socially, economically.

The believers in Corinthians are called to unity in Jesus Christ, putting on the mind and living out the life of Christ that is in them. The body of Christ shall have that perfect unity with each functioning as Christ’s agent of righteousness and love to the honour and glory of God. Amen.