In the context of Christian theology and biblical teachings, cliques are often viewed as exclusive groups that can foster division and hinder the unity and fellowship that the Bible encourages among believers. The concept of cliques is not directly named in Scripture, but the principles surrounding exclusivity, favoritism, and division are addressed throughout the Bible.

Biblical Principles Against Division

The Bible emphasizes unity and love among believers, warning against behaviors that lead to division. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, the Apostle Paul urges the church in Corinth, "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction." This call for unity is a direct challenge to the formation of cliques, which can create factions within the body of Christ.

Favoritism and Partiality

James 2:1-4 addresses the issue of favoritism, which is often a characteristic of cliques. The passage states, "My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, 'Here is a seat of honor,' but say to the poor man, 'You must stand,' or, 'Sit at my feet,' have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?" This teaching warns against the preferential treatment that can lead to the exclusion of others, a hallmark of cliquish behavior.

The Body of Christ

The metaphor of the church as the body of Christ, found in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, underscores the importance of each member and the need for inclusivity. Verse 25 states, "so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another." This passage highlights the interdependence of believers and the necessity of valuing each person’s contribution, countering the exclusivity of cliques.

Love and Acceptance

The Bible calls for love and acceptance among believers, as seen in Romans 12:9-10: "Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another." This command to love sincerely and honor others is antithetical to the exclusionary nature of cliques, which often prioritize self-interest and the elevation of certain individuals over others.

Warnings Against Quarreling and Strife

Cliques can lead to quarreling and strife, which are condemned in Scripture. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists things the Lord hates, including "a person who stirs up conflict in the community." Similarly, Galatians 5:19-21 warns against "discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions," which are works of the flesh and contrary to the Spirit-led life.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly mention cliques, the principles of unity, love, and mutual respect are clear. Believers are called to avoid behaviors that lead to division and to embrace the inclusive and loving community that reflects the heart of Christ.1 Corinthians 1:10
Now I beseech you, brothers, 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.
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Matthew 23:8
But be not you called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all you are brothers.
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Romans 1:1-32
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God,
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Acts 14:1-28
And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
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Another Archbishop
... Incomparably the most odious of these cliques were those of the clergy, who seemed
to hesitate at no moral humiliation which would further their ambitious plans ...
/.../chapter xiv another archbishop.htm

On Certain Modern Writers and the Institution of the Family
... exists in hell. A big society exists in order to form cliques. A big society
is a society for the promotion of narrowness. It is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xiv on certain modern writers.htm

Words to Rest On
... In such a time of great difficulty, when people are apt to mutiny, to find fault
with their leaders, and to break up into cliques and parties, they still held ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/words to rest on.htm

The World, the Flesh, and the Devil
... and those who arrogated the right to speak for themselves, and for what they called
'the Church,' by which they never meant anything but the cliques who shared ...
/.../chapter xxxvii the world the.htm

Affairs in the West
... Stilico fell a victim to the vile Court intrigues of palace-cliques, and to the
fact that he was the object of fierce jealousy as an alien. ...
/.../chapter lxx affairs in the.htm

Peter's Apologia
... counterworking his toil. It is a black day for a Church when differences
of opinion lead to the formation of cliques. Zeal for truth ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/peters apologia.htm

Ep. Xli. To the People of C??sarea, in his Father's Name.
... But if you should not agree with me, but determine something else, and if the matter
is to be settled by cliques and relationships, and if the hand of the mob ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep xli to the people.htm

Second visit to Nazareth - the Mission of the Twelve.
... [3015] [3016] The tenacious narrowness, and the prejudices, so characteristic of
such a town, with its cliques and petty family-pride, all the more self ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxvii second visit to.htm

The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
... They were ready to form cliques and quarrel in the name of Christ, and they still
showed the same quarrelsome mood in the time of St. Clement. ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter x the first epistle.htm

The Numerous Oracles
... And whereas Philosophy could only persuade select and local cliques of Immortality,
and goodness,"men of little intellect have infused into the multitudes of ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 47 the numerous oracles.htm

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