Return to studies in Corinthians
Presented February 24, 2008 pm
Studies in Corinthians (2)
“Let there be no Divisions”
1 Corinthians 1:10-13
Tonight
we continue our study of the book of 1 Corinthians.
In our introductory lesson we noted that Paul in greeting these
brethren noted what a church SHOULD be, which in reality was descriptive
of what the church at Corinth was NOT!
Following that introduction, Paul immediately goes into his
concerns with these brethren.
In many of his letters, Paul goes to great length to describe the
good he finds in the midst of his brethren to whom he is writing.
While here Paul finds something good, it is not long before he
begins addressing their errors, one after the other.
Tonight we address the first in a number of lessons dealing with
the need for unity in our midst.
NOTE: This is the primary theme of the first four chapters.
I.
“
Let there be no divisions among you”
a.
Sources of
division – we face many different sources of division in the religious
world today.
i.
Atheists
vs. believers
ii.
Between
the various world religions and their many different gods
iii.
Catholic
vs. protestant
iv.
Between
various denominations
v.
Between
liberal and conservative factions within any religious body
vi.
Between
members of the same congregation
b.
The
problem of division
i.
It is
incompatible (the antithesis of) with true unity.
Where there is division there are going to be problems! It is the source
of wars, bitter words, broken families, mental anguish, ignorance and
many other things.
ii.
In the
religious world it shows disregard for the standard of God’s word.
In fact, with many the idea of division (e.g. “religious
diversity”) is praised and even encouraged.
iii.
As such it
breeds ignorance and puts the teachings of man above those of God.
iv.
But
division also tears apart churches – both within and often leads to a
split. There are bitter
attitudes and accusations, fighting, jumping to false conclusions, mote
hunting, factions and many other such things.
At best, it either leads to compromise or contention.
As we study through the book of 1 Corinthians, we will see many
of these issues surface and note how Paul addresses them.
v.
Division
is also condemned in scripture by God.
Romans 16:17 calls for us to mark those that cause divisions.
Galatians 5:20 – in the list of the “works of the flesh” we find,
dissentions, heresies and contentions, all of which are involved in
divisions.
1 Corinthians 3:1-4 again condemns this attitude.
c.
The Bible
call for unity
i.
This call
demonstrates that division is wrong.
ii.
Jesus
prayed for unity – John 17:20-22
In this passage Jesus demonstrates what unity does –
1.
That the
world would believe that God had sent Him.
2.
That they
may be made perfect in one – a description of unity.
When there is true reverence for Jesus – it brings us together.
iii.
Philippians 2:1-4 – describes the degree of unity we are to strive to
achieve. Some of this is
addressed in our text.
iv.
Ephesians
4:3 speaks of us as brethren “bearing with one another in love,
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
II.
Paul’s Plea
a.
He
was pleading – A word that means to “call to one’s side, call
for, summon.” (Thayer). It
is a word that often has a strong connotation, as used here.
Paul was not merely asking them, or even simply teaching them: He
was exhorting them to change.
Why? Do you suppose it had
something to do with the effect it had toward the cause of Christ?
b.
His concern (11-12)
i.
There were contentions and a
party (divisive) spirit.
The word contentions means, “strife, wrangling” (Thayer).
Vine’s adds, “Quarrel, especially rivalry…”
ii.
There is a
danger in following after men.
When we follow after men, we are easily led away from God.
Following Paul expressing his concerns he addresses the wisdom of this
world and how it is at enmity with the wisdom of God in great detail.
1:21 notes that man’s wisdom does not know God (rejects Him).
2:4-5 says, “My speech and my
preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in
demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be
in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
iii.
There were
even some who misunderstood the baptism of Jesus.
Note how in vs. 12 that while they were arguing about who baptized them
(cf. 14-17) or their greatest influence, that some said “I am of Christ”
in the same manner. Is it
possible to misunderstand what it means to be “in Christ”?
It certainly is possible.
If someone sees division in Christ as acceptable there is a
misunderstanding about Him and His will (cf. John 17:20-23).
c.
His appeal (10) - the AUTHORITY of our Lord Jesus Christ
i.
Paul
trusted in Christ. He was an
apostle of Christ (1:1). As
a result of this letter (and possibly other correspondence) he would
defend his apostleship and ministry in 2 Corinthians.
Galatians 1:12, speaking of the gospel he preached he said, “For
I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through
the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
ii.
What Paul
was asking of these brethren was not his own desires, but the will of
Christ. We must always His
authority in all we do.
Colossians 3:17
iii.
Also
consider that this was done in the sight of Jesus – He sees.
Often Paul made similar appeals.
Romans 15:30, “Now I beg you brethren, through the Lord Jesus
Christ”
1 Thess. 4:1-2, “We urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ…
1 Timothy 5:21, “I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus
Christ…”
2 Timothy 4:1 adds, “I charge you
therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the
living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom…”
d.
His desire:
i.
They all
speak the same thing
1.
This is
NOT unity in diversity (e.g. agreeing to disagree).
2.
It is
agreement in doctrine. Just
as Paul taught the same thing everywhere he went so we must have like
unity (1 Cor. 4:17).
Consider also the 7 churches of Asia – while each church was unique,
they all needed to heed to the same standard, “Hear
what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, etc.).
ii.
No divisions among them.
This is what we have been addressing.
NOTE that when we all speak the same thing – this WILL be the
result!
iii.
The next 2 expressions describe the degree of unity expected:
1.
First he
notes that they should be “perfectly joined together.”
The word had many uses in the original language.
It included nets that were mended (and thus usable without
breach), but it also addressed something that had a perfect fit and not
deficient (WS Dictionary).
It is clear this is what Paul had in mind in this text.
2.
In the
same mind –
Mentioned in many other places - Phil. 2:2, 3:16. Romans 15:5-6 speaks
of being “like-minded”.
The idea of the same mind is not
so much that we never disagree, but our thinking and reasoning is of the
same sort. It is having the
same attitude of mind. It
also shows that there is agreement of conviction.
Where is this “same mind” found?
Consider Phil. 2:5, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ
Jesus…”
3.
In the
same judgment – the meaning here is that they would come to the same
conclusions in their studies and teachings.
iv.
How is this achieved?
1.
It will ONLY be achieved if we
appeal to the same source for authority – as Peter said in 1 Peter 4:11,
“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God…”
2.
It will
ONLY be achieved if we have a proper attitude toward one another –
Ephesians 4:1-3, 31-32 tells us what we are to NOT have.
1 Peter 3:8-9 – shows that it is achieved with love for one another and
not mistreating each other.
3.
Romans
12:16 – a key attitude in this is humility.
e.
Finally, he appealed to the UNITY found in Christ (13)
i.
Paul notes
that Christ is NOT divided.
Only Christ was crucified for them.
Baptism was in Christ, not in any other man.
His point was that there is only ONE source of hope.
ii.
Ephesians
4:5 speaks of there being “ONE Lord”
Galatians 1:7 – Paul expressed concerns that some would pervert the
gospel of Christ teaching something different.
2 Corinthians 11:4 – he later expresses concerns that they would put up
with someone teaching a different Jesus.
iii.
The point
of Paul’s message – we need to COME TOGETHER in Jesus – not simply
agreeing to disagree, but learning of Him and His standards and ALL OF
US applying them in all things.
That was Paul’s concern and it needs to be ours as well.
And thus we can see
the challenge of Paul. With
this as the foundation of his concerns, Paul will now begin to make
application in everything else he deals with. But understand this, he
cannot address any of their problems UNLESS they were willing to apply
what he said in verse 10.
What about us? How seriously
do we take this admonition of Paul?
Think about it!