Oh, how many times have I said those words, “no fussing” to my boys when they were growing up. Fussing never accomplished anything except more strife. Usually, it starts out simple but escalates into hurt feelings and greater problems. In I Corinthians 1:10-11, Paul has just finished his greeting in the first few verses of I Corinthians chapter 1. He gets their attention by encouraging them and telling them the good, and now he will address the bad reports he has heard. They were fussing in the church.
I Corinthians 1:10-11 “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 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.”
In verse 10 he says, “I beseech you, brethren.” The word beseech could be better understood in our modern-day speech as beg. He calls them brethren because they are his brothers and sisters in Christ. Again, he is lovingly, but strongly speaking to get their attention.
He has been told there are divisions among them, but divisions are not right and honoring to Christ. He lets them know that the House of Cloe has given him this information. (Note, if you can’t reveal the source don’t approach the problem. If it is true people should not mind you using them to fix the problem.) These are not just people “attending” church, but those involved in leadership in the church.
There were several churches and groups in Corinth, but Paul mentions in I Corinthians 11:18 that they come together in church or corporate worship. He again tells them he has heard of their divisions and that he believes it.
I Corinthians 11:18 “For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.”
Some were taking pride in who their leaders were, using this as an issue to give evidence of why they were having contentions and divisions in the church.
Some would only accept the authority of Paul because he had been their leader, some only would accept Apollos, others the authority of Cephas (Peter) who served and lead the first Christian church in Jerusalem.
The last group probably thought that churches should not have any human leaders. Paul did not agree with that idea either. Paul made it clear in Titus 1:5 “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:”
Paul reminded the people in each of these groups that Christians belong to Christ. It was Christ who died to save them, therefore, He was the ultimate authority.
I Corinthians 1:12 “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.”
While there was no denying that Paul had led the first church at Corinth, he did not want to lead a group of people that argued with other Christians! Paul needed to instruct them, but he was not trying to make himself important in their eyes. He always considered himself God’s servant.
Romans 1:1 “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,”
Galatians 1:10 “For do I now persuade men or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”
I Corinthians 9:19 “For though I am free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.”
Paul had no greater mission in life after his salvation than to serve Christ! He was careful who he baptized because he did not want them to follow him, but insisted they follow Christ.
I Corinthians 1:13 “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”
It is a shame that the family of God seems to tear at each other as much as the world does. This should never be the case. We may disagree on a lot of preferences, but we should come together as one for the cause of winning the world to Him. There is only one way to Heaven and that is through Jesus Christ. I am not saying that all who name the name of Christ are our brothers or sisters, because the Bible warns of false prophets, but if a group believes in the Trinity, salvation through faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross, by God’s grace, and they add nothing to the gospel such as works, (Ephesians 2:8-9) then we can worship with them. Works come from our salvation, not for our salvation!
Pride lay at the bottom, and this made them factious. Proverbs 13:10 “Only of pride cometh contention.” They quarreled about their ministers, but those who were inclined to be contentious broke into parties and set their ministers at the head of their several factions. They were making the gospel the engine of variance, discord, and contention.
When we argue and fuss in the church, the lost world always hears about it, and it is a poor testimony to them. We should always seek to be in harmony and we should go to the person we disagree with and discuss. If there is no sin involved, which is clear in scripture, then you must agree to disagree and drop it! If you’re not willing to talk to those involved don’t talk to anyone else! Don’t tarnish the name of Christ and His church by airing your disgruntled attitude. There may be those listening that are lost. That kind of talk will turn them further away from God and the church, and not unto God.
We need to grow up and love and serve one another more. Stop the fussing, backbiting, and arguing to get your opinion heard. It is wrong and will hurt all involved, you, your listeners, the church, and God!
Pray and ask God to help you to close your mouth, fall to your knees, and seek His help. You will be changed, others’ feelings are saved, and God is honored.
We all need to keep the following verses in mind.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”
