Did Paul contradict himself regarding division in the church?
Question:
Hi.
I'm seeking clarification on why, in I Corinthians 1:10, Paul condemns division and pleads them to "speak the same thing" and be of the "same mind and the same judgment." But ten chapters later, in I Corinthians 11:18-19, Paul seems to say that divisions are a "must" since they show who is approved among them.
Answer:
"Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment" (I Corinthians 1:10).
I Corinthians 1:10 is talking about what should take place. The core of the problems in Corinth was the teaching of different doctrines. This cannot exist when Christ is the head of the church (Galatians 1:6-10). They were not to divide into different parties and schisms because of teaching variations. Paul’s point is that there should be no divisions among the brethren. This point is repeated in I Corinthians 11:18-19 and 12:25.
"For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you" (I Corinthians 11:18-19).
I Corinthians 11:18-19 is an acknowledgment of reality. Paul would like to think that what he heard could not be accurate, but he remembers the people well enough that he isn’t completely surprised by what he has heard. Sadly, factions will always exist among the Lord’s people. Not because it is desired or wanted but because there will always be some unwillingness to follow the Lord’s commands. Division should not exist among God’s people (I Corinthians 1:11-16; Romans 16:17). But at the same time, Christians will always be dealing with false teachers and the divisiveness of their doctrine (I John 4:1; II Peter 2:1-2). Factions will occur when someone attempts to bring in false doctrine. The division demonstrates that some are willing to oppose it. Such divisions demonstrate and separate the faithful Christian from the false.
"That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another" (I Corinthians 12:25).
