What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 11:18? First of all • Paul signals that this matter takes precedence. He will address other issues later, but unity comes first. • Similar urgency appears in “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” (1 Timothy 2:1). The pattern shows that what follows is foundational for the church’s health. • Priority on unity echoes Jesus’ own emphasis: “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). I hear • Paul has reliable reports. Earlier he wrote, “My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you” (1 Corinthians 1:11). • He pays attention to testimony while maintaining discernment, reflecting Proverbs 18:13’s wisdom about listening fully before judging. • This mindfulness models Philippians 4:9: “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—put these things into practice.” When you come together as a church • The phrase highlights the sacredness of gathering. Acts 2:42 portrays early believers who “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship.” • Hebrews 10:24–25 urges, “Let us consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not forsaking the assembly of ourselves together.” • Paul pictures the congregation as one body (1 Corinthians 12:12), so what happens in the meeting shapes the entire fellowship. There are divisions among you • The word echoes earlier rebukes: “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree… and that there be no divisions among you” (1 Corinthians 1:10). • Such schisms betray the gospel’s witness; Jesus prayed “that they may all be one… so that the world may believe” (John 17:21). • Ephesians 4:3–6 calls believers to “make every effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace,” grounding unity in one Lord, one faith, one baptism. • Divisions spring from the flesh (Galatians 5:19–21) and quench the Spirit’s work among God’s people. And in part I believe it • Paul exercises balanced judgment. He neither gullibly accepts every report nor dismisses it. • “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (2 Corinthians 13:1). • 1 Thessalonians 5:21 advises, “Test all things. Hold fast to what is good.” • By saying “in part,” Paul asserts that even limited evidence is serious enough to warrant correction. His pastoral heart seeks restoration, not gossip. summary Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 11:18 underscores that unity is essential whenever believers assemble. Reliable reports of divisions grieve the apostle because gatherings are meant to display Christ’s love, not human factions. He addresses the issue first, models wise discernment, and calls the church to live out the oneness secured by the Lord. The verse reminds today’s congregations to prize fellowship, guard against strife, and pursue harmony that honors Jesus before a watching world. |
    |