1 Corinthians 1:11 kjv

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 1:11 nkjv

For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.

1 Corinthians 1:11 niv

My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.

1 Corinthians 1:11 esv

For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.

1 Corinthians 1:11 nlt

For some members of Chloe's household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters.

1 Corinthians 1 verses

1 Corinthians 1 11 Meaning

First Corinthians 1:11 reveals the immediate impetus for Paul's epistle to the Corinthian church: a reliable report of divisions and conflicts existing among the believers. This verse signifies Paul's deep concern as a spiritual father, as he addresses this foundational issue of disunity, which underscores many subsequent problems discussed throughout the letter. It highlights the apostle's awareness of their internal struggles, derived not from hearsay but from a specific and credible source—those connected with Chloe's household—and emphasizes the gravity of the disharmony hindering the church's witness and spiritual maturity.

1 Corinthians 1 11 Context

First Corinthians chapter 1 opens with Paul, an apostle of Christ, addressing the church in Corinth, along with Sosthenes, and expressing initial gratitude for their spiritual gifts and standing in Christ (1 Cor 1:1-9). However, this praise immediately pivots to a stern appeal for unity in verse 10: "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." Verse 11, then, serves as the critical justification for this appeal, explicitly stating the source of the troubling information: "those of Chloe's household." This revelation clarifies that Paul's words are not abstract admonitions but a direct response to a concrete, internal crisis of factions within the Corinthian community, such as those aligning with Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or Christ (1 Cor 1:12). The entire letter then unpacks various issues—such as wisdom, immorality, lawsuits, idolatry, and spiritual gifts—all rooted in or exacerbated by this fundamental lack of unity. Historically, Corinth was a major commercial hub, a diverse city known for its wealth and often, its immorality. The church, therefore, reflected this societal mix, with members from different social strata and cultural backgrounds, prone to the intellectual pride and social stratification prevalent in Hellenistic society, which fueled their internal contentions.

1 Corinthians 1 11 Word analysis

• For it has been declared to me (ἐφανερώθη γάρ μοι - ephanerōthē gar moi):

  • declared: The Greek verb ἀνεφάνη (anephanē), here perfect passive indicative, means "it was made clear," "it appeared," "it was revealed," or "it became manifest." This suggests a clear, certain, and verifiable disclosure rather than mere rumor or conjecture. Paul presents this information with a sense of certainty and gravitas, underlining the seriousness of the issue.
  • to me: Indicates Paul's direct and personal receipt of the report, validating its credibility from his perspective as an apostle.

• concerning you, my brethren, (περὶ ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί μου - peri hymōn, adelphoi mou):

  • concerning you: Emphasizes the direct relevance of the report to the Corinthian believers.
  • my brethren: Paul's use of "brethren" (ἀδελφοί - adelphoi) here signifies his affection and pastoral bond with the Corinthians, despite their internal struggles. It underscores their shared identity as spiritual family in Christ, making the news of their divisions all the more disheartening for him. It's an appeal rooted in familial love and shared spiritual lineage.

• by those of Chloe's household, (ὑπὸ τῶν Χλόης - hypo tōn Chloēs):

  • Chloe's household: The reference to "Chloe" (Χλόη - Chloē) is significant. She was likely a prominent Christian woman, possibly residing in Corinth, Cenchreae (the port of Corinth), or even Ephesus where Paul was writing. Her "household" (οἶκος - oikos, implied by "those of Chloe") would include her family members, servants, or even business associates. The specificity of this source lends immense credibility to the report. It suggests a reliable party who had direct knowledge or reliable channels of information, preventing the Corinthians from dismissing the issue as baseless rumor. The ancient household was a fundamental social and economic unit.
  • by those: Suggests that not just Chloe herself, but possibly her family, slaves, or business contacts who travelled and interacted with the Corinthian church, conveyed the information.

• that there are contentions among you. (ὅτι ἔριδες ἐν ὑμῖν εἰσίν - hoti erides en hymin eisin):

  • contentions: The Greek word ἔριδες (erides) specifically denotes "strife," "discord," "quarrels," "disputes," or "rivalries." It implies an active state of opposition and verbal conflict, distinct from mere disagreements. This is not about healthy debate but divisive, disruptive conflict. This term is used elsewhere in Paul's letters (e.g., Rom 13:13, Gal 5:20) as a mark of carnal behavior, opposing the Spirit's unity.
  • among you: (ἐν ὑμῖν - en hymin): Implies the internal nature of these conflicts, existing within the Christian community itself, causing disruption to its fellowship and witness.

1 Corinthians 1 11 Bonus section

The specific mention of "Chloe's household" is crucial, suggesting a well-established network of communication and concern among early Christian communities. It implies that these reports were not merely anecdotal but carried enough weight for Paul to address them explicitly at the very beginning of his letter. The fact that the information comes from a household (οἶκος), not just an individual, suggests either that the problem was openly observed by many associated with Chloe, or that Chloe's "people" (perhaps servants or associates traveling on business) provided a detailed account that resonated with Paul's existing knowledge or suspicions about the Corinthian situation. This reinforces Paul's commitment to verifiable truth and pastoral responsibility. The choice of the Greek word erides (contentions) points to a more ingrained and possibly heated type of conflict, far beyond simple disagreements, implying competitive rivalries that threatened to tear the church apart, foreshadowing the deeper theological and ethical issues Paul would subsequently confront in the letter, such as their misguided views on spiritual wisdom, spiritual gifts, and the Resurrection.

1 Corinthians 1 11 Commentary

First Corinthians 1:11 acts as a pivotal and highly informative verse within Paul's letter. It immediately strips away any potential misperception that Paul is offering generic spiritual advice; instead, his forthcoming arguments and instructions are precisely tailored responses to known problems within the Corinthian assembly. The apostle's direct acknowledgment of receiving a specific, credible report "by those of Chloe's household" validates the severity of the church's internal struggles. This demonstrates apostolic transparency—Paul isn't acting on whims but addressing factual reports. The core problem identified is "contentions" (erides), signaling a spiritual immaturity and a stark contrast to the unity Christ calls for. These factions, born from intellectual pride, personality loyalties, or even social distinctions (as revealed in later verses like 1 Cor 1:12 and 3:3-4), directly undermine the fundamental identity of the church as one body in Christ. Paul's affectionate address, "my brethren," underscores his pain and pastoral burden, highlighting that these divisions were not just theoretical issues but destructive forces fracturing his spiritual family. The information from Chloe's household was likely crucial, providing specific details that allowed Paul to understand the depth and breadth of the factionalism. This verse thus establishes the foundational crisis that the entire letter aims to diagnose, expose, and ultimately, heal, by re-centering the Corinthian believers on the simplicity and unity found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It serves as a stark reminder that true spiritual health is characterized by harmonious fellowship rather than self-assertive divisions.

• Example 1: Just as a parent, hearing from a reliable family member about siblings constantly arguing, addresses the issue directly and urgently.
• Example 2: A leader receives a specific report of disunity within a team from trusted colleagues, prompting a direct intervention to restore cohesion and shared purpose.