1 Corinthians 1:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.

NIV: My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.

NASB: For I have been informed concerning you, my brothers and sisters, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.

CSB: For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters, by members of Chloe's people, that there is rivalry among you.

NLT: For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.

Here Paul comes to his first purpose in writing to the Christians in Corinth. He has received unpleasant reports about them. Paul is writing from Ephesus, where he is living and working. Some people have come to Ephesus who are familiar with what is going on among the Christians in Corinth.

Paul describes his source as "Chloe's people," suggesting the Corinthians will know exactly who he is talking about. We don't have any other information about who Chloe or her people are. This group may have been relatives, friends, or servants of Chloe. They may have been sent by her to give this report to Paul or they may simply have been in town and mentioned to Paul what they knew about the church in Corinth. Perhaps Chloe, herself, was a member of the Corinthian congregation. We may speculate but cannot say for sure.

What "Chloe's people" reported deeply troubles Paul. After all, he led many of these people to Christ and helped to establish this church, staying for over a year and a half with them (Acts 18:1–17). He cares about the believers in Corinth. According to this news, instead of being unified in the fellowship of Christ together, there is quarreling among them.

The English word "quarreling" doesn't sound especially bad to modern ears. But the original Greek word, eris, refers to a hot dispute: a fiery, emotional disagreement. In Greek mythology, Eris was the name of the goddess of discord, responsible for instigating feuds, bickering, and strife. Paul lists this relationship-destroying "quarreling" in many letters alongside with other terrible relationship sins (Romans 1:29; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:20; 1 Timothy 6:4).

First Corinthians 1:10–17 is about Christian unity. After giving thanks to God for the Corinthians and their sure place with Him in eternity, Paul addresses the way they have divided themselves into factions based on which Christian teacher they follow. Paul urges them to stop and be unified in and around Christ. After all, Christ is not divided. They were not baptized in the name of Paul, though he baptized a few of them. Christ did not send Paul to baptize, but to preach the gospel. Paul will not risk emptying the cross of its power by preaching with eloquent words.

Paul's letter to the Christians in Corinth begins with thanks for the great and powerful gifts God has given to them by His grace and through their faith in Christ. They will stand blameless before God in the end. Right now, though, they must stop dividing themselves according to which Christian teacher they follow and become unified in and around Christ. The gospel message of Christ's death on the cross is weak and foolish to the world, but God has given faith in Christ to those who believe it and find God's power and wisdom.

First Corinthians 1 begins Paul's letter to the Christians in Corinth, a big, bustling city on a major trade route. Paul knows them well, having spent a year and a half leading people to Christ and establishing the church there. He writes from Ephesus to correct some of their wrong attitudes and behaviors and to answer some of their questions. First, though, he thanks God for His grace to the Corinthians, knowing they will stand blameless before Him on the day of the Lord. Still, they must stop being divided and unite in and around Christ.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.