For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

1 CORINTHIANS 11:18KJV
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1 Corinthians 11:18 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 11:18 mean?

1 Corinthians 11:18 means that Paul has heard reports of divisions among the believers in Corinth when they gather as a church, and he finds these reports at least partly believable. Paul is addressing the problem of disunity within the church community during their meetings.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Corinth, responding to issues he has heard about their gatherings. He points out that even when they come together as a church, there are still divisions among them, which goes against the unity expected in Christian fellowship. This verse sets the stage for his later instructions about proper conduct and attitudes during church meetings, especially regarding the Lord’s Supper.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 11:18

  • The word for "church" is ἐκκλησίᾳ (ekklēsia), which means an assembly or gathering, not just a building. Paul is talking about the people coming together as a community.
  • The word for "divisions" is σχίσματα (schismata), meaning splits or separations. This highlights that the problem is not just disagreement but actual breaks in their relationships.
  • The word for "come together" is συνέρχεσθε (synerchesthe), which means to assemble or gather. Paul is addressing what happens when the whole group meets, not just private disagreements.

Why 1 Corinthians 11:18 matters

  • This verse shows that problems in church unity are not new; even early Christians struggled with division, which Paul takes seriously.
  • Paul’s concern is not just about personal disagreements but about how these divisions affect the whole community when they gather for worship.
  • Understanding this verse helps clarify why Paul goes on to give detailed instructions about how the church should conduct itself, especially in shared practices like the Lord’s Supper.

Where else these words appear

“divisions” Greek G4978 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 9:16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
  • John 7:43 So there was a division among the people because of him.
  • John 10:19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

“together” Greek G4905 · used in 32 verses

  • Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
  • Acts 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
  • Acts 21:16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

“partly” Greek G3313 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
  • Acts 5:2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

“be” Greek G5225 · used in 47 verses

  • Luke 7:25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.
  • Acts 10:12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
  • Acts 28:7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.