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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
1:10-4:21 Divisions over Christian Preachers. Paul now states one of the letter's primary concerns: the Corinthians' pride has led them to value outward appearance and eloquence over the genuine work of the Spirit.
1:10-17a The Problem Reported. Paul begins with a description of the problem of division as "Chloe's people" have reported it to him. The Corinthians are exhibiting a haughty devotion to one or another of three itinerant Christian preachers.
1:11 Reported (Gk. dēloō) means to "show," "make clear," or "reveal" something. Chloe's people (Gk. tōn Chloēs, lit., "the ones of Chloe") may have done this by an oral report (5:1; 11:18). Chloe's identity and her location (Ephesus? Corinth?) are unknown, as well as whether these "people" are friends, business associates, family, or from her household.
1:12 Apparently the Corinthian Christians were divided into factions on the basis of who had baptized them (vv. 14-17). Paul knew Apollos well (16:12). His rhetorical skills were impressive, and the Corinthian Christians had received him gladly after Paul's departure (Acts 18:24-19:1). Cephas is the Aramaic equivalent of the name Peter (Gal. 2:7-14), and both names refer to Peter the apostle (1 Cor. 15:5; Gal. 1:18; 2:7-14). Unlike Paul (1 Cor. 7:8), Cephas was married and had traveled to Corinth with his wife (9:5). Apparently one faction in Corinth, claiming to be above it all, took the slogan "I follow Christ."
1:17a not . . . to baptize. While Paul considers baptism important (Rom. 6:3; Col. 2:12), it is subordinate to the proclamation of the gospel. Hearing and believing the gospel, unlike baptism, is essential to salvation (Rom. 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:21; Eph. 1:13). The Corinthians need to center their lives on the gospel, not on the various preachers in whom they can take pride.
