1 Corinthians 11:18-19
For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's striking here is Paul's careful, almost hesitant phrasing: "I hear... and I believe it in part." This isn't a confident, all-knowing pronouncement, but a pastor grappling with difficult, secondhand information, showing us that even the apostles dealt with imperfect knowledge and the pain of hearing about disunity in the church. It highlights how deeply divisions hurt, even when the full truth isn't yet clear.
Paul is addressing serious issues within the Corinthian church, moving from instructions on worship and conduct to the profound problem of division. Right before this, he's been discussing head coverings, and immediately after, he dives into the Lord's Supper, revealing a pattern of behavior that's fracturing the community. This verse highlights that their gatherings, meant to unify them, are actually revealing their brokenness and disunity.
It stings, doesn't it? Paul opens this letter with a stark observation about the Corinthian church: they were divided. This wasn't just a minor disagreement; it was a threat to their very identity as the body of Christ.
The Pain of Disunity
Paul doesn't mince words. He says, 'I hear that there are divisions among you.' Imagine walking into a family reunion where people are split into angry factions, refusing to speak to each other. That's the picture here.
These divisions weren't just about differing opinions. They were deep cracks in the community, likely stemming from social status, doctrinal disputes, or personal conflicts. The apostle Paul, even before getting into specifics, felt compelled to address this fundamental problem because it undermined the core purpose of the church: to be a unified body, reflecting God's love.
It’s a sobering reminder that our gatherings, intended for unity and mutual encouragement, can tragically become sources of separation if we're not careful.
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Paul mentions he 'believes it in part.' What does that mean? It suggests a nuanced, yet firm, conviction about the reality of the problem, even if he didn't have all the details.
A Father's Concern
When Paul says he 'believes it in part,' it's not a sign of doubt. Instead, it reflects a fatherly concern tempered by the information he's received. He's heard reports, and while he trusts the source, he's not claiming to have witnessed the full extent of the divisions himself.
This partial belief still carries significant weight. It means the reports he's heard are serious enough to warrant immediate and strong correction. It’s like a parent hearing a concerning rumor about their child – even if they don't have all the facts, the concern is real and demands attention.
Paul’s approach here is strategic. He acknowledges the reports, validates their seriousness, and sets the stage for the specific instructions that will follow. He's not judging from afar; he's responding with informed concern for the well-being of the church.
Understand the original words
schismata · Greek Noun
Used in a negative sense, it refers to schisms, fragmentations, or discord within the fellowship of believers that disrupts the unity and harmony intended by the Holy Spirit.
haireseis · Greek Noun
Refers to groups or sects formed by personal preferences or disagreements. In the early church, these were often viewed as errors that hindered the oneness of the faith.
dokimoi · Greek Adjective
Refers to something that has been tested or proven by trial, specifically metal being refined by fire. Biblically, it describes believers whose faith has stood the test of trials or opposition.
The divisions Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians weren't just abstract theological disputes; they were tearing apart the practical, communal life of the church, particularly during their shared meals.
c. AD 47-49
Paul Founds Church in Corinth
The Apostle Paul spent about 18 months in Corinth, establishing the church amidst a bustling, cosmopolitan, and often morally corrupt city.
c. AD 50-52
Paul Writes Letters to Corinth
While in Ephesus, Paul likely wrote a previous letter (now lost) to address serious issues that had arisen in the Corinthian church. He also received reports from Corinth.
c. AD 53-55— this verse
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians
From Ephesus, Paul writes this letter to the church in Corinth, responding to their questions and addressing the serious divisions and behavioral problems he's heard about.
c. AD 55
Titus Reports on Corinth
The apostle Titus travels to Corinth and reports back to Paul on the church's reception of his letter, noting that while some issues were addressed, others persisted.
c. AD 55-57
Paul Writes 2 Corinthians
Following Titus's report, Paul writes a more pastoral and personal letter to the Corinthian church, addressing lingering issues and reaffirming his apostolic authority.
This passage directly echoes Paul's concern about divisions, urging believers to speak the same thing and be perfectly joined together, reinforcing the idea that disunity was a significant problem even in the early church.
Galatians 5:20Paul lists 'discord' as a work of the flesh, highlighting that divisions among believers are not just organizational issues but spiritual ones that grieve the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 2:2-3This passage offers the solution to division, calling believers to be like-minded, having one love, being one in spirit and purpose, and to look to the interests of others rather than their own.
Romans 12:16Paul encourages mutual respect and humility among believers, urging them to live in harmony and not to associate with the proud, which directly combats the attitudes that foster division.
What's striking here is Paul's careful, almost hesitant phrasing: "I hear... and I believe it in part." This isn't a confident, all-knowing pronouncement, but a pastor grappling with difficult, secondhand information, showing us that even the apostles dealt with imperfect knowledge and the pain of hearing about disunity in the church. It highlights how deeply divisions hurt, even when the full truth isn't yet clear.
Paul is addressing serious issues within the Corinthian church, moving from instructions on worship and conduct to the profound problem of division. Right before this, he's been discussing head coverings, and immediately after, he dives into the Lord's Supper, revealing a pattern of behavior that's fracturing the community. This verse highlights that their gatherings, meant to unify them, are actually revealing their brokenness and disunity.
Paul is addressing serious issues within the Corinthian church, moving from instructions on worship and conduct to the profound problem of division. Right before this, he's been discussing head coverings, and immediately after, he dives into the Lord's Supper, revealing a pattern of behavior that's fracturing the community. This verse highlights that their gatherings, meant to unify them, are actually revealing their brokenness and disunity.
"For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized." — What's striking here is Paul's careful, almost hesitant phrasing: "I hear... and I believe it in part." This isn't a confident, all-knowing pronouncement, but a pastor grappling with difficult, sec…
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