1 Corinthians 11:19 – Sectarism & the qualified

For first, indeed at your coming together in the ecclesia, I am hearing of schisms inhering among you, and some part I am believing. For it must be that there are sects also among you, that those also who are qualified may be becoming apparent among you.

There were cracks in the ecclesia at Corinth. The fault lines here lie between those who do and do not have (11:22). Earlier (1:10) Paul wrote about divisions in Corinth because favorite foremen were played against each other (1:11). Separations (> schism) and sects go hand in hand with each other. A cult is a group around a favorite leader, doctrine or idea. The idea of ​​”favorite” lies in the word “sect” (Gr. Heresis) itself understood: it is derived from a verb that means “give preference.”

Schisms and cult formation within the ecclesia seriously impair unity in the body of Christ (12:25). Not that the unity itself is broken; that is impossible. Because this unity is a given fact that we may keep spiritually in a bond of peace (Eph. 4: 3). Who do that are the “qualified” whom are mentioned here. They do not participate in party formation and mutual arguments about opinions and people. The truth, black on white, is so much more solid. That is the unity in Christ!

Delen: