Internal Strife and God's Plan for Unity

The Context of Internal Strife

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reveals how social divisions and factionalism fractured the early church, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:12–13.

The divisions in Corinth arose partly from believers aligning themselves with human leaders like Apollos, Peter, or Paul, rather than uniting under Christ (1 Cor 1:12–13). The city’s cosmopolitan, hierarchical Roman culture exacerbated these tensions, as wealthier members dismissed poorer believers, creating class-based rivalries. Such factionalism disrupted communal practices, including worship and the Lord’s Supper.

These social structures—rooted in patronage systems and status competition—made it difficult for the church to embody the humility and equality modeled by Christ. Understanding this context prepares us to examine how Paul’s teachings confront such divisions in the following section.

The Nature of Division in 1 Corinthians 1:12-13

Paul confronts factions in the Corinthian church that claim allegiance to individual leaders rather than Christ alone.

In 1 Corinthians 1:12–13, Paul names four groups: those who say, ‘I follow Paul,’ ‘I follow Apollos,’ ‘I follow Cephas,’ or ‘I follow Christ.’ While the first three factions openly align with human teachers, the fourth—claiming loyalty to Christ—appears neutral but still reflects a division. Paul’s rhetorical question, ‘Is Christ divided?’ (1 Cor 1:13), exposes the absurdity of reducing Christ’s unity to human-led cliques. This division undermines the church’s witness and distorts the gospel’s singular focus on Jesus Christ.

Paul challenges the Corinthians’ misplaced loyalty by asking, ‘Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?’ (1 Cor 1:13). His emphasis on the cross and baptism redirects their allegiance from human agents to the redemptive work of Christ.

By declaring ‘Christ is divided,’ Paul asserts that any fracture within the church contradicts the indivisible unity of the risen Lord. The Holy Spirit, not human charisma, unites believers (1 Cor 12:13), and such divisions risk fragmenting the body of Christ. This theological rebuttal sets the stage for Paul’s broader argument about the church as the unified body of Christ in later chapters.

How Internal Strife Still Matters Today

Paul’s rebuke of factionalism in 1 Corinthians 1:12–13 remains strikingly relevant as modern churches continue to grapple with divisions rooted in personality cults, social hierarchies, and misplaced allegiances.

Contemporary conflicts often mirror Corinth’s spiritual pride, where believers unconsciously elevate leaders, programs, or theological preferences above the unity Christ demands. Paul’s rhetorical question—'Is Christ divided?' (1 Cor 1:13)—challenges modern factions to realign their loyalties with the indivisible body of Christ rather than human-driven agendas. By emphasizing baptism 'in the name of Christ' (1 Cor 1:13) over partisan identities, Paul offers a corrective: the cross, not cultural or intellectual superiority, defines the church’s shared foundation. This principle calls believers to humility, reminding communities that divisions fracture the witness of a gospel meant to unite all people in Christ’s redemptive work.

Going Deeper

To address internal strife, 1 Corinthians 1-4 emphasizes the church's unity in Christ and the dangers of human-led divisions, while Philippians 2:3-4 calls believers to humility.

Paul’s letters urge followers to prioritize Christ’s body over personal allegiances (1 Cor 1:13) and to consider others more significant than themselves (Phil 2:3-4). Exploring these passages deepens understanding of how gospel-centered humility resolves factionalism.