For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
1 CORINTHIANS 1:11KJVWhat does 1 Corinthians 1:11 mean?
1 Corinthians 1:11 says that Paul has learned from people connected to Chloe’s household that there are arguments and divisions among the Christians in Corinth. Paul is addressing the church directly and letting them know he is aware of their conflicts, which have been reported to him by trustworthy sources.
Paul, the writer of this letter, is speaking to the believers in the city of Corinth. He mentions “the house of Chloe,” likely a group or family known to the church, as the source of his information. This verse sets the stage for Paul to address the specific problems of disunity and quarreling that are troubling the Corinthian church.
The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 1:11
- οἶκος Χλόης (oikos Chloēs, “house of Chloe”): This phrase refers to Chloe’s household or people connected to her. It shows that Paul is not relying on rumors but on a report from a specific, credible group.
- ἔριδες (erides, “contentions”): This word means quarrels or disputes. It highlights that the problems in the church are not minor disagreements but serious divisions.
Why 1 Corinthians 1:11 matters
- This verse shows that Paul’s concern about division is based on reliable testimony, not hearsay, which gives weight to his correction.
- By naming the source, Paul encourages transparency and accountability within the church community.
- 1 Corinthians 1:11 introduces the theme of disunity, which Paul will address in detail throughout the following chapters, making it a key turning point in the letter.