Read & explore together
Unity in the Church
Paul urges the church to stop dividing into groups around different leaders. In these verses, he points them back to Jesus Christ, showing that their unity should come from him rather than from human names or status.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of 1 Corinthians is a section of letter and teaching. Paul addresses believers he calls brothers and responds to a report from Chloe’s household about arguments among them. He focuses on their words, loyalties, baptism, and the central place of the cross of Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:10–17Main takeaway
Church unity in this passage is grounded in belonging to Christ rather than building identity around human leaders.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A strong appeal for shared unityPaul begins by begging them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. He asks them to speak the same thing, to have no divisions, and to be perfected together in the same mind and judgment.
Explanation
Paul begins by begging them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. He asks them to speak the same thing, to have no divisions, and to be perfected together in the same mind and judgment. His concern is not mere politeness, but a restored togetherness shaped by Jesus’ name.
02The problem is open conflictPaul explains why he writes this way. People from Chloe’s household have reported contentions among the believers.
Explanation
Paul explains why he writes this way. People from Chloe’s household have reported contentions among the believers. He then names the kind of division he means: different people claiming different leaders, including Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or saying, “I follow Christ.” The church is speaking in separated camps.
03Christ, not a human leader, is centralPaul answers their party spirit with sharp questions. Christ is not divided. Paul was not crucified for them, and they were not baptised into Paul’s name.
Explanation
Paul answers their party spirit with sharp questions. Christ is not divided. Paul was not crucified for them, and they were not baptised into Paul’s name. These questions show why elevating a human leader is wrong. Their identity should come from Christ’s saving work, not from attachment to a person.
04Why Paul mentions baptismPaul says he is thankful he baptised only a few people, naming Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas.
Explanation
Paul says he is thankful he baptised only a few people, naming Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas. His point is very specific: he does not want anyone saying he baptised people into his own name. Even a good practice like baptism must not be turned into a badge for a faction.
05The priority of preaching Christ’s good newsPaul ends by explaining his calling. Christ sent him to preach the Good News, not to rely on wisdom of words.
Explanation
Paul ends by explaining his calling. Christ sent him to preach the Good News, not to rely on wisdom of words. He is careful that the cross of Christ should not be made void. In this passage, the cross stands over human eloquence, reputation, and group loyalty.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Paul ask the church to do in verse 10?
Look for the three linked requests about speaking, divisions, and being perfected together in mind and judgment.
02How do verses 12 and 13 show what was wrong with saying, “I follow” different leaders?
Compare the list of group slogans with Paul’s questions about who was crucified and whose name mattered in baptism.
03Why does Paul mention exactly whom he baptised?
His reason is stated directly in the next verse, where he explains what he wanted to prevent people from saying.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Corinthians 1:10–17
10Now I beg you, brothers, through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers, by those who are from Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.
12Now I mean this, that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” and, “I follow Christ.”
13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?
14I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,
15so that no one should say that I had baptized you into my own name.
16(I also baptized the household of Stephanas; besides them, I don’t know whether I baptized any other.)
17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Good News—not in wisdom of words, so that the cross of Christ wouldn’t be made void.