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1 Corinthians 1:18-31
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1 Corinthians 1:1-17
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1 Corinthians 1:1-9
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1 Corinthians 1:18-25
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1 Corinthians 1:26-31
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LEST THE CROSS BE EMPTIED OF ITS POWER
Passage:
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Key verse: 17
NIV
A Church Divided Over Leaders
10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a](A) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you,(B) but that you be perfectly united(C) in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household(D) have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”;(E) another, “I follow Apollos”;(F) another, “I follow Cephas[b]”;(G) still another, “I follow Christ.”
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?(H) 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus(I) and Gaius,(J) 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household(K) of Stephanas;(L) beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize,(M) but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom(N) and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 1:10 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 11 and 26; and in 2:1; 3:1; 4:6; 6:8; 7:24, 29; 10:1; 11:33; 12:1; 14:6, 20, 26, 39; 15:1, 6, 50, 58; 16:15, 20.
- 1 Corinthians 1:12 That is, Peter
Cross references
- 1 Corinthians 1:10 : S Ro 7:1
- 1 Corinthians 1:10 : 1Co 11:18
- 1 Corinthians 1:10 : S Ro 15:5
- 1 Corinthians 1:11 : S Ac 11:14
- 1 Corinthians 1:12 : 1Co 3:4, 22
- 1 Corinthians 1:12 : S Ac 18:24
- 1 Corinthians 1:12 : Jn 1:42; 1Co 3:22; 9:5
- 1 Corinthians 1:13 : S Mt 28:19
- 1 Corinthians 1:14 : Ac 18:8
- 1 Corinthians 1:14 : S Ac 19:29
- 1 Corinthians 1:16 : S Ac 11:14
- 1 Corinthians 1:16 : 1Co 16:15
- 1 Corinthians 1:17 : Jn 4:2; S Ac 2:38
- 1 Corinthians 1:17 : 1Co 2:1, 4, 13
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
Divisions in the Church
10 I appeal to you, brothers,[a] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no (A)divisions among you, but that you be united (B)in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is (C)quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that (D)each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow (E)Apollos,” or “I follow (F)Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 (G)Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you (H)baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except (I)Crispus and (J)Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also (K)the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and (L)not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Corinthians 1:10 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verses 11, 26
Cross references
- 1 Corinthians 1:10 : ch. 11:18
- 1 Corinthians 1:10 : [Phil. 1:27]
- 1 Corinthians 1:11 : ch. 3:3
- 1 Corinthians 1:12 : ch. 3:4; [Matt. 23:9, 10]
- 1 Corinthians 1:12 : See Acts 18:24
- 1 Corinthians 1:12 : See John 1:42
- 1 Corinthians 1:13 : [ch. 12:5; 2 Cor. 11:4; Eph. 4:5]
- 1 Corinthians 1:13 : See Acts 8:16
- 1 Corinthians 1:14 : Acts 18:8
- 1 Corinthians 1:14 : See Rom. 16:23
- 1 Corinthians 1:16 : ch. 16:15, 17
- 1 Corinthians 1:17 : ch. 2:1, 4, 13; [2 Cor. 10:10; 11:6; 2 Pet. 1:16]
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Agree with one another (1
-12)
Paul heard that the believers were divided because they looked at themselves and their leaders from a human point of view. Paul, Apollos and Peter (Cephas) were all servants of God who sought to lead people to Christ, not to themselves. When Jesus dwells in us and rules our hearts, we can love, respect and forgive one another and be united in mind and thought. There is no other way to agree with one another.
2. Believe the gospel (13-17)
Water baptism is a declaration to the world that one is a Christian. It is a symbol of our unity with Christ. It should unite believers in the Body of Christ. But it had become divisive. Some bragged about being baptized by Paul or Peter. They thought that baptism gave them some spiritual advantage over others. But only the cross of Christ has power. It is the gospel that saves us. Human wisdom divides. When we accept Jesus' cross and preach his gospel, our human differences disappear.
Prayer: Lord, keep me under the cross of Jesus, that its power may work in me.
One Word: Preach the gospel of the cross
