1:10-12
What? Christians fight?
Sadly, yes.
Paul appealed to the Corinthians in verse 10 to agree with one another, literally to "say the same thing" as one another, so that there would be no divisions in the church. That word, divisions, is the Greek word "skisma" from which we obviously get the word schism, although Gordon Fee says that this does not mean schism "in the sense of a 'party' or a 'faction'" (p. 54). The word speaks of a rupture or a tear (not a "tear" from your eye but a "tear" as in a rip of fabric).
What kind of divisions were there in the church at Corinth?
Fee argues that there were not totally different parties or groups in the church. But, he says, it seems that there were major differences in opinion among the Corinthians. He says "Thus Paul does not refer to distinctly formed groups or "parties" here, but to divided opinions over their various leaders, which...have developed into jealousy and quarrels" (p. 54).
Why were the Corinthians divided over opinions about their leaders? Probably it was pride. The Corinthians were taking pride in their wisdom and knowledge. Remember that the Greek culture, where Corinth was, was all about having wisdom and knowledge. Greeks were very proud of their intelligence, their wisdom, their philosophy (which, after all, means "love of wisdom").
In verse 11 we find out that it was people from "Chloe's household" (we don't know who she was) who informed Paul that the Corinthian church was having these quarrels.
In verse 12 we learn the nature of these quarrels: the Christians were arguing over which teacher to follow. There was definitely pride involved in this. Some were saying "I follow Paul," others were saying "I follow Apollos," still others "followed Cephas" (Cephas is Peter). The Corinthians were trying to distinguish themselves by associating with a famous teacher. "Well, I am wise because I follow Peter, who understands Christ the best," one Corinthian might say. Another might retort, "No, actually I'm smarter than you because I follow Apollos, the greatest speaker and preacher." See how ugly this is?
Next time we'll talk about the relevance of this passage for today. Now that the holidays are over, I hope to make sure to post 2-3 new ones per week.
Sadly, yes.
Paul appealed to the Corinthians in verse 10 to agree with one another, literally to "say the same thing" as one another, so that there would be no divisions in the church. That word, divisions, is the Greek word "skisma" from which we obviously get the word schism, although Gordon Fee says that this does not mean schism "in the sense of a 'party' or a 'faction'" (p. 54). The word speaks of a rupture or a tear (not a "tear" from your eye but a "tear" as in a rip of fabric).
What kind of divisions were there in the church at Corinth?
Fee argues that there were not totally different parties or groups in the church. But, he says, it seems that there were major differences in opinion among the Corinthians. He says "Thus Paul does not refer to distinctly formed groups or "parties" here, but to divided opinions over their various leaders, which...have developed into jealousy and quarrels" (p. 54).
Why were the Corinthians divided over opinions about their leaders? Probably it was pride. The Corinthians were taking pride in their wisdom and knowledge. Remember that the Greek culture, where Corinth was, was all about having wisdom and knowledge. Greeks were very proud of their intelligence, their wisdom, their philosophy (which, after all, means "love of wisdom").
In verse 11 we find out that it was people from "Chloe's household" (we don't know who she was) who informed Paul that the Corinthian church was having these quarrels.
In verse 12 we learn the nature of these quarrels: the Christians were arguing over which teacher to follow. There was definitely pride involved in this. Some were saying "I follow Paul," others were saying "I follow Apollos," still others "followed Cephas" (Cephas is Peter). The Corinthians were trying to distinguish themselves by associating with a famous teacher. "Well, I am wise because I follow Peter, who understands Christ the best," one Corinthian might say. Another might retort, "No, actually I'm smarter than you because I follow Apollos, the greatest speaker and preacher." See how ugly this is?
Next time we'll talk about the relevance of this passage for today. Now that the holidays are over, I hope to make sure to post 2-3 new ones per week.
posted by Rob | 3:54 PM
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