Tag: division

1 Corinthians 1:10 – No More Divisions

Posted on by Will

Now I plead with you, brethren, by 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 perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Truth to Learn

Christians must work hard at being united in doctrine.

Behind the Words

“I plead” is translated from parakaleō, which is made up of para, meaning “to the side of” or “near” and kaleō, meaning “to call.” Thus, parakaleō literally means “to call near.” In common usage it means “to comfort, to encourage, or to challenge.”

The Greek word translated “you … speak” is legō, which means “to relate in words” or “to speak.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood indicating possibility or probability. So, it could be translated as “you … should speak.”

“Divisions” is from the Greek noun schisma, meaning “a split or a division.”

The words “you be” are from the verb of being, eimi. It, too, is expressed in the subjunctive mood indicating possibility or probability. So, we could translate it as “you should be.”

Katartidzō is the Greek word translated “perfectly joined together.” It is composed of kata, meaning “with” and artidzō, meaning “to adjust, to fit, or to finish.” Thus, katartidzō has the idea of being fit together, being united.

Meaning Explained

Paul now begins addressing some of the issues that existed in the church in Corinth. Specifically, he will now address the divisions that had developed between people who claimed to follow different leaders. As we will see in verse twelve, there were some who said they were followers of Paul, while others said they were followers of Apollos or of Peter (Cephas), and even others claimed they were followers of Christ.

As Paul progresses through the early part of this letter, he will get very direct and stern with the Christians at Corinth. However, he starts off with more gentle words. He says, “I encourage you … to speak the same things” with regard to their divisions. It is imperative for any church body that they have unity in the doctrines that they teach. If one person teaches some doctrinal belief and someone else teaches something different with regard to that doctrine, the followers will be confused, at the very least. In the extreme, it will cause divisions within the church just as were evident in Corinth.

Paul also encourages them to be united (perfectly joined together) and to have the same mind (the same beliefs) throughout the body. People who are not united in their beliefs will not be able to progress onto learning other doctrinal truths because their differences will cause arguments between them. That’s not to say that we should always blindly accept whatever is taught, for discussion is an important part of the learning process.

Application

Divisions within a church is a sure way to destroy the witness of the church to those outside. We are to be united and marching forward with a clear message to the lost.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

Romans 16:17 – Who to Avoid

Posted on by Will

Romans 16:17 – Who to Avoid

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

Truth to Learn

Avoid those who teach false doctrine.

Behind the Words

“Urge” is translated from the Greek verb parakalō, which literally means “to call alongside.” It is one of those verbs that has a number of nuances depending on how it is used. It can mean “to encourage, to comfort, to invite, to call for, to help, or to urge.”

The verb “note” is from skopeō, meaning “to spy out, to look toward, to give attention to, or to be on the lookout for.”

“Divisions” is from dichostasia, which literally means “separate standings.” It is a picture of two groups of people standing separate from each other.

The word “offenses” is from skandalon, which we have seen before. It refers to the trigger of a trap. Here it refers to something which will cause other Christians to stumble in their walk with God.

The word “doctrine” is translated from didachē, which refers to “something which is taught.” Here it is a reference to the teachings, or doctrines, of the church.

“Avoid” is from ekklinō, which is made up of ek, meaning “out” and klinō, meaning “to bend, to incline, or to turn.” Thus ekklinō means “to turn away from” or “to completely avoid.”

Meaning Explained

Having finished all of the personal greetings he wanted to send to his friends at the church in Rome, Paul now gives one final word of caution. He tells them to be on the lookout for “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” That is, he is warning about people who are not focused on the good of the church and the unity of the body. Instead, these people are focused on what they want rather that what God wants for the church.

In the Greek text, both the word translated “divisions” and the word translated “offenses” have definite articles associated with them. In other words, Paul is warning about those people who cause the divisions and the offenses. Thus, there must have been specific problems that he wanted them to avoid.

We know from several of Paul’s other letters that there were several false teachings that had crept into the church even in its earliest years. Two of these false doctrines were legalism, and an early form of Gnosticism. Most of Paul’s letter to the Galatian churches and part of this letter to the Romans addressed the issue of Legalism because there were many converted Jews in the early church who believed that Christians had to keep the law in order to remain saved. Another heresy that crept into the early church was Gnosticism, which tried to spiritualize many of the teachings of Christianity, introducing the notion that there was some “special knowledge” that was required to complete salvation. Paul’s specific instructions were to “turn away from and completely avoid” those who professed these false doctrines.

Application

Teaching true doctrine and the unity of the body of Christ are both essential aspects of the Church. Be on the lookout for false teachers and avoid them like the plague!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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