1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Applebury's Comments

Problem of Division (10-17)

Text

1 Corinthians 1:10-17. Now I beseech you, brethren, through 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 perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been signified unto me concerning you, my brethren, by them that are of the household of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I mean, that each one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, save Crispus and Gaius; 15 lest any man should say that ye were baptized into my name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas; besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.

Commentary

through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.This earnest appeal to the Corinthian brethren in the name of Christ was designed to make them think seriously of the real problem they faced in connection with their divisions. They were Paul's brethren in Christ, even though they were doing many things contrary to the principles of Christianity. Accepting this basis of agreement meant that they could move on to the divine solution of their problems. Each word in the divine name has significance in relation to the problem in Corinth. Lord implies servants who are to obey; Jesus implies that sinners are to be saved by His grace; Christ, which means prophet, priest, and king, implies the necessity of believing His Word, accepting His sacrifice for sin, and obeying Him, for all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Him (Matthew 28:18-20). He is the only one through whom men must be saved (Acts 4:12). The divine name is, in itself, a strong appeal to abandon the sectarian names of men who were leading the factions in Corinth.

all speak the same thing.It is often said that no two people ever see a thing exactly alike. This is offered as an excuse for the sin of division. What if the rule were applied in the field of Mathematics? The Scriptures condemn division as one of the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:20). Division destroys the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). It was possible for the Corinthians to say the same thing about Christ, as Paul clearly shows by the questions and their implied answers in 1 Corinthians 3:13.

be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.This expression was used in political circles to urge groups to compose their differences. This, most likely, is the sense in which it is to be taken here. The expression is used throughout the N. T. with various applications. Fishermen used the term when they spoke of mending their nets, or preparing them for use. It was a medical term meaning to set a dislocated joint. Read Galatians 6:1 where it is translated restore with this in mind. It was used to describe the outfitting of a ship to get it ready for a voyage. It is rewarding to think of all these usages in relation to the problem in Corinth.

They were to have the same attitude of mind so that when they expressed an opinion all would say the same thing. This would prevent the divisions among them which were produced by one of them saying, I am of Paul, while another said, I am of Apollos. Composing their differences meant getting back to the position where they could be in the same frame of mind and all say the same thing when they expressed an opinion or judgment.

by them of Chloe.Paul had received his information about conditions in Corinth from those who were in some way connected with Chloe. Were they servants in her household, or were they members of her family? We cannot answer these questions. Evidently, they were aware of the problems and believed that Paul should be informed. Their action is to be commended, for when problems arise in a congregation the correct thing to do is to turn to the inspired Word of God for the solution.

contentions.The divisions (splits) in the church resulted from the, strife over leaders. Some were saying that they belonged to Paul; some, to Apollos; some, to Cephas; some, to Christ. Is this last group composed of the true Christians in Corinth or to a wrangling party arrogating to itself the divine name? The context seems to imply the latter. It is possible to use the name of Christ in a sectarian manner.

Is Christ divided?Certainly Christ is not divided. He alone died on the cross to save the world. Only the sinless Lamb of God could become sin on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21). Certainly, Paul wasn-'t crucified for them; hence, there was no excuse for anyone of them to claim that he had been baptized in Paul's name.

A moment's reflection on these three questions shows how ridiculous the divisions in Corinth were. Two of them are so framed as to require a negative answer. Thus, all must speak the same thing in answering these questions.

I baptized none of you.Why did Paul thank God that he had baptized none of the Corinthians, except the few mentioned? This does not suggest that he considered baptism of no importance. See Romans 6:1-11; 1 Corinthians 10:1-2; 1 Corinthians 12:13. The evident meaning is that he was thankful that he had personally baptized this limited number so as to avoid the very criticism that was being made that people were being baptized in his name. If he had not taught them to get themselves baptized, there never would have been a question about the one into whose name they had been baptized. All of them knew that they had been baptized into the name of Christ, for He was crucified for them.

Crippus, Gaius, Stephanas.Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized (Acts 18:8). The identity of Gaius is not certain, but see Acts 20:4. Stephanas was the first convert of Achaia (1 Corinthians 16:15).

For Christ sent me not to baptize.Careless reading of this statement might lead some to believe that Paul did not consider baptism important. A similar statement is found in John 4:1-2. The Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John. John adds the explanation: Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples.

After Paul had baptized a few, they could have taken up the task of baptizing the rest while Paul continued to proclaim the good news. Baptism was a part of the proclamation of the gospel. See Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16. The facts of the gospel which deal with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ are symbolized in the act of baptism, for baptism is a burial and a resurrection (Romans 6:4).

lest the cross of Christ should be made void.Words of wisdom that left out the sacrifice of Christ made the cross an empty thing. Paul's aim was to avoid the philosophical speculations of the day and to preach Christ in such a manner that men would desire to be baptized in His name. That gave meaning to the cross of Christ.