1 Corinthians Study 1:4-17: How to Find Unity in Diversity—Paul teaches that when there are divisions and strife among believers, it reveals spiritual immaturity, not a lack of salvation. The Corinthian church faced numerous problems, but Paul’s focus is on God’s grace, the gifts given to every believer, and the call to unity in Christ. True unity comes when the church centers on Jesus, embraces the diversity of gifts, and seeks maturity together.
1 Corinthians Study 1:4-17: How to Find Unity in Diversity
Audio
Scriptures used in this lesson:
1 Corinthians 1:4-13, 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:14-17,
1 Corinthians Study 1:4-17: How to Find Unity in Diversity
Introduction: Corinth’s Many Problems
Paul begins his teaching on First Corinthians by reminding the audience that the church at Corinth faced many problems. There are around sixteen issues Paul addresses in the letter. I intended to cover the first problem today, but found the introduction so rich and meaningful that I’ve lingered on it. It’s as though Paul, as a vessel for the Holy Spirit, opens the doors of the Corinthian church, exposing its struggles for everyone to see and learn from.
The Reality of Church Imperfection
You notice that when people first come to our church, they see the excitement, love, fun, and liberty. These qualities attract newcomers, who may believe our church is perfect. However, after a few months, they realize the church is not flawless and that faults can be found if one looks for them.
Studying the book of Corinthians is vital in multiple ways: as a biblical study, as a guide for the local church, and as a lesson for individual lives. Whenever these problems arise in life or the church, they must be addressed. Paul’s approach is not just to point out problems, but to provide solutions. The goal is to find these solutions and apply them as God’s wisdom in daily living.
1 Corinthians 1:4 – 1:13
4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,
5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge,
6 even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you,
7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
8 who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians Study 1:4-17: How to Find Unity in Diversity
10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.
12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.”
13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
The topic for this lesson is division in the church. Before diving in, I want to highlight some crucial points from Paul’s introduction that were missed last time. Paul makes it clear that if there are divisions, jealousy, or strife among believers, they are acting in a carnal and immature manner. This does not mean they are not saved. It means they are spiritually immature and letting divisions distract from what matters most—Jesus Christ. Paul’s question, “Is Christ divided?” is crucial. Nothing should divide the church because Christ is what unites everyone.
1 Corinthians 1:4
4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,
Paul thanks God for the church in Corinth. He does this even though the church has many problems. These problems include division, immorality, disorder, bad doctrine, and chaos in worship and home life. Paul is not thankful for the problems themselves. He is thankful for the grace of God that is present to solve these problems. God’s grace is always enough. What God says is final.
1 Corinthians Study 1:4-17: How to Find Unity in Diversity
True riches in the Christian life are not material things. Paul says real riches are found in right speech and correct thinking. If believers talk and think in line with God’s truth, other blessings will follow. Words and thoughts matter greatly. The way church members speak and act reflects on the whole church. Even if a church has problems, that does not mean Christ is not present there. Problems do not mean people do not love Jesus.
Paul also teaches that God gives grace so that the church will not lack any spiritual gift. The gifts are meant to remain in effect until the return of Jesus Christ. The gifts are not just for the past. They are for the present church. The gifts, used in love, are how believers serve others as Jesus did. Paul says Jesus will confirm believers to the end and present them blameless, not because they are faultless, but because of Christ’s work.
Unity and the Centrality of Christ
The word “koinonia” means fellowship, communion, and sharing. Christians are called to deep fellowship with Jesus and with each other. Everyone has a gift to contribute. Communion is not just a ritual, but a way of life together. Believers are meant to be united, like grains in a loaf of bread, not separate. Individual gifts are needed, but the church must function as one body.
When people drift from church, it often happens in stages. First, they stop communicating and contributing. Then they stop fellowshipping and praying. Eventually, they fall away. The church needs to stay united and focused on Jesus Christ. Paul’s letter emphasizes that Jesus must be the center of everything. If Jesus is the focus, the church can survive any problem.
1 Corinthians Study 1:4-17: How to Find Unity in Diversity
Paul urges the church to be united in mind and judgment. Disagreements and divisions happen when people think and judge differently. The solution is to have the mind of Christ. The church must look to Scripture and agree on what God says. If everyone does this, divisions will disappear. The answer to every problem is found in Christ and his word.
1 Corinthians 1:5
5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge,
Paul teaches that true riches in the Christian life are not material wealth. Riches are not streets of gold or full bank accounts. Real riches come from being enriched in Christ. Speaking the truth and thinking the truth are what matter most to God. If believers speak and think according to God’s truth, other blessings will follow.
The Reality of Church Imperfection
Paul explains that the way a church speaks and acts is a testimony to others. The words and actions of believers reflect on the whole church. Even if a church has problems, it does not mean Christ is not present there. Problems do not mean people do not love Jesus or are not confirmed in Him.
1 Corinthians 1:6
6 even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you,
1 Corinthians Study 1:4-17: How to Find Unity in Diversity
How can we know that Christ is truly confirmed in someone? It is shown by what a person thinks and says. If you spend enough time with someone and listen to their words, you will be able to tell if they are genuinely in Christ. The words we speak and the way we think reveal what is in our hearts. This is true for individuals and the church as a whole. The way a church functions and the language it uses reveal whether Christ is confirmed among its members.
Our words are significant. They can justify us or condemn us. If you are part of a church but use foul language or act in ways that go against Christian values, you are not only affecting yourself but also the reputation of your entire church. The way you live your life reflects back on your church community. For example, if you do not pay your bills or behave badly, people will judge the church you belong to based on your actions.
However, just because a church has problems does not mean that Christ is not present there. The church in Corinth had many issues, but Christ was still confirmed among them. Every church has problems because its members are still growing and changing. As long as God is at work, challenges will arise. But these problems do not mean that Jesus is absent. Even when disagreements or conflicts occur among members, it does not mean that someone does not love Jesus or is not confirmed in Him. Differences of opinion do not detract from a person’s faith or their assurance in Christ.
1 Corinthians Study 1:4-17: How to Find Unity in Diversity
1 Corinthians 1:7
7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
In verse seven, Paul refers back to verse four, which talks about the grace given to believers in Christ Jesus. He thanks God for this grace, explaining that it is given so that the church will not lack any spiritual gift. The main point is that God’s grace ensures that every necessary gift is present in the church. This enables the church to function fully and minister as Jesus did, utilizing both words and spiritual gifts.
God gives grace so that the gifts of the Spirit can be active in the church. When people come to be ministered to, the church must use these gifts to show the love and testimony of Jesus. The church should strive to have all the gifts operating so that nothing is missing in its ministry.
Once, at a seminar, thousands would gather before every service to pray. As the service time approached, people would begin to sing in the spirit, and the singing would grow and fill the whole place. This created a powerful sense of worship and unity.
1 Corinthians Study 1:4-17: How to Find Unity in Diversity
I desire our church to experience this kind of spiritual atmosphere. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, before services, the congregation would seek God’s grace and begin to worship sincerely in the spirit? In 1 Corinthians 14:15, the Apostle Paul discusses singing and praying both in the spirit and with understanding. I pray our church will reach a point where everyone is willing to use their gifts, so that no gift is lacking and the church can fully minister to those who come.
The second main point in this verse is about waiting eagerly for the revelation of Jesus Christ. The word “revelation” used here means the unveiling or appearing of the Lord. He emphasizes that believers are to anticipate this event eagerly.
So, how long should believers continue to use the gifts of the Spirit? The answer is clear: until Jesus appears. The gifts are not just for the past or a previous generation. The Bible teaches that the gifts of the Spirit are meant to continue until Christ returns. This means that the church should continue to function in the gifts of the Spirit. The expectation of Jesus’ return should motivate believers to use these gifts faithfully until He comes.
We need to understand that the gifts of the Spirit are not just for people in the past. They are for us today. Anyone can use these gifts if they are willing to seek them out and use them. It is not true to say that the gifts of the Spirit are no longer for today.
1 Corinthians Study 1:4-17: How to Find Unity in Diversity
God’s grace is given so that we will not lack any spiritual gift. This grace is intended to enable us to minister to others and love them as Jesus did. In chapter 12, the Bible lists the gifts. In Chapter 13, it is demonstrated that love is the most effective approach. And, in chapter 14, it explains how to use the gifts with love. This is how God’s grace works in our lives.
1 Corinthians 1:8
8 who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse eight says that Jesus Christ will confirm believers to the end, making them blameless. This does not mean believers are faultless. No one is without sin or mistakes. Everyone has faults. However, through the blood of Jesus, believers are made blameless. This is not about being perfect. It is about being forgiven and restored to right standing with God. Even the church in Corinth had many faults, but it was still presented as blameless.
The message is clear. Despite our faults, Jesus will present us blameless before God. This is a reason to be thankful and to rejoice.
1 Corinthians Study 1:4-17: How to Find Unity in Diversity
1 Corinthians 1:9
9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Verse nine speaks about God’s faithfulness. Believers are called into fellowship—koinonia—with Jesus Christ. The Greek word koinonia is translated in various ways, including contribution, communion, communication, and fellowship. It appears twenty times in the New Testament. For example, it means making a contribution to the poor, sharing in communion, and doing good by communicating with others.
God calls people not just to attend church or perform rituals, but to have genuine fellowship with Jesus. This means sharing your life, talents, and gifts with Him and the church. Each person is meant to contribute what they have, working together as one body. Communion is not just about the Lord’s Table; it also means spending personal and corporate time in prayer and praise.
The image of bread illustrates this unity. Just as grains are crushed and mixed to become one loaf, believers are meant to be united, with no one standing out above the rest. Everyone’s gifts are needed, and no one can function alone. Communion with Christ and with each other is essential. Private worship is vital, but believers also need to gather and worship together.
1 Corinthians Study 1:4-17: How to Find Unity in Diversity
When people drift away from the church, it often happens in stages. First, they stop communicating and contributing. Then, they stop fellowshipping and communing. Eventually, they become isolated and vulnerable, like stragglers in the wilderness. This breaks the unity God desires and leaves people open to spiritual harm. The goal is for everyone to stay connected, contributing, and blessed within the body of Christ.
In the first nine verses of this letter, the name “Christ” appears ten times. Even when the word is not used directly, pronouns like “him” refer to Christ. This shows that the main focus of Paul’s letter is Jesus Christ. For any church, the emphasis must always be on Jesus Christ. If the focus shifts to anything else—such as praise, preaching, programs, or people—the church will eventually fail. Only a church centered on Jesus can endure.
Paul makes it clear from the beginning that Jesus Christ and his sacrifice must be the foundation. If Jesus remains the focus, a church can survive any problem. Nothing can destroy a church that keeps its emphasis on Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:10
10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Corinthians Study 1:4-17: How to Find Unity in Diversity
In verse 10, Paul urges the church to agree with one another and have no divisions among them. He wants them to be complete, or perfectly joined, in the same mind and judgment. The key to unity in the church is having the same mindset and making decisions together. When disagreements and divisions occur, it is because people are not thinking the same way or judging situations in the same manner.
Paul teaches that unity is possible if everyone adopts the mind of Christ. It does not matter what each person thinks or how each person would handle a problem. What matters is what the Bible says. If everyone in the church looks to God’s Word for answers and follows it, there will be no divisions. The solution to every problem is to seek the mind of Christ and judge matters as He would.
Paul explains that, left to our own devices, each person would handle problems differently. But God calls the church to find answers in Christ. The Bible says we have the mind of Christ, and we must use it. No matter what the issue—division, immorality, disorder, or false teaching—the root problem is not thinking according to the Bible. The answer is to come together, find out what God’s Word says, and agree on it. This is how a church can be united and strong.
1 Corinthians Study 1:4-17: How to Find Unity in Diversity
The Root and Cure of Division
1 Corinthians 1:11-13
11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.
12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.”
13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Chloe’s household went to Paul and told him about the problems in the Corinthian church. Some might call this gossip, but sometimes it is necessary to inform the proper authority to protect the church. If issues are not addressed, the church can be harmed.
Paul learned from Chloe’s people that there were quarrels and divisions in the church. Members were aligning themselves with different leaders, saying, “I am of Paul,” “I am of Apollos,” “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Paul challenged this attitude. He reminded them that Christ is not divided, and none of these leaders died for them or baptized them in their own name.
1 Corinthians Study 1:4-17: How to Find Unity in Diversity
The root of division lies in focusing on personalities rather than Jesus Christ. When people put their attention on leaders rather than on Christ, division always follows. Paul’s answer is clear: the church must turn its focus back to Jesus. Only then can quarrels and strife be healed. As long as people focus on individuals, division will continue. The solution is to keep eyes and minds fixed on Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:1 – 3:4
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.
2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,
3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?
4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?
In chapter 3, verses 1 through 4, Paul tells the Corinthians he could not address them as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh—babes in Christ. He gave them milk instead of solid food because they were not ready for more profound teaching. Even now, he says, they are still not ready because they are still fleshly.
Paul points out that jealousy, strife, and division among them are signs of spiritual immaturity. These attitudes reveal that they are still acting like mere humans, rather than mature, spiritual believers. When church members say, “I am on this one’s side,” or “I am on that one’s side,” they are behaving like ordinary people, not those led by the Spirit.
The answer, Paul says, is to grow up spiritually. The church must move beyond jealousy and division. Believers are called to maturity, to become spiritual men and women of God, not remain spiritual infants. Only by putting away strife and growing in faith can the church truly reflect Christ.
1 Corinthians Study 1:4-17: How to Find Unity in Diversity
1 Corinthians 1:11-17
11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s {people,} that there are quarrels
among you.
12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of
Cephas,” and “I of Christ.”
13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name
of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,
15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name.
16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized
any other.
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that
the cross of Christ would not be made void.
Paul makes it clear that he is thankful he baptized only a few people in Corinth. He did not want anyone to think they were baptized in his name or considered themselves part of his group. Paul wanted everyone to know they were baptized into Jesus Christ, not into Paul, Apollos, or Cephas.
1 Corinthians Study 1:4-17: How to Find Unity in Diversity
The focus should never be on any leader or group. It should always be on Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross. Paul teaches that the answer to division is to turn attention back to Jesus, the cross, and the gospel.
In closing, the message is simple. Jesus Christ is the answer to every problem in the church. If believers keep their eyes, focus, and minds on Jesus, problems and divisions will be healed. When attention shifts away from Jesus, issues and strife will return. The key is always to keep Jesus at the center. This is how unity and peace are maintained in the church.
Let’s pray.
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