YouTube: https://youtu.be/APYM6pKI7i4

Download Audio: https://od.lk/f/MV8yOTU4NDQ5OTJf
Download Video: https://od.lk/f/MV8yOTU4NDUwODFf
Download PDF: https://od.lk/f/MV8yOTU4NDUwNTZf

Priscilla: I Corinthians 1:10-17
Divisions in the Church

10 Now I exhort you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you all say the same thing, and there be no divisions among you, but you be united in the same mind and in the same judgment.

11 For concerning you, my brothers, it was shown to me by those of Chloe that there are strifes among you.

12 But I say this, that each of you says, I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas, and I of Christ.

13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?

14 I give thanks to God that I did not baptize any one of you, except Crispus and Gaius,

15 that not anyone should say that you were baptized in my name.

16 And I also baptized the house of Stephanas. For the rest, I do not know if I baptized any other.

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to announce the gospel, not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ be made of no effect.

[Literal Translation of the Holy Bible]

Dear God, my Beloved Father, today I offer You my reflection on the Word of God in I Corinthians 1:10-17 regarding the division within the Church in Corinth.

Dear God, I understand verse 10 as follows: The Apostle Paul, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, advised the people of God in Corinth not to have division within the Church. He urged them to be united in mind and thought, to speak the same language, and to be of the same judgment when dealing with any issue in the Church, using the Word of God as their guide.

Dear God, I understand verses 11 and 12 as follows: the Apostle Paul knew that there was division in the Church in Corinth because some members reported to him that there were quarrels and factions among them. Some claimed to belong to Apollos, others to Paul, and still others to Cephas, etc. I understand that those who sincerely preach the Gospel and teach the Word of God, like the apostles, are the ones whom You use to serve You and the Church. Those who confess their sins, repent, and accept the Gospel belong to Christ and are part of the Church, which is the body of Christ, with Him as the head.

Dear God, I understand verse 13 as follows: the Apostle Paul affirmed to the Church in Corinth that every member of the Church was redeemed by the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross and baptized in the name of the Triune God. The Church is not the body of anyone else and is not redeemed by anyone else, so it cannot be divided.

Dear God, I understand verses 14 to 16 as follows: the Apostle Paul baptized only a few people in Corinth, such as Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas. He thanked God that he did not baptize anyone else in Corinth, so not many people used his name and claimed to belong to him.

Dear God, I understand verse 17 to mean that the Apostle Paul wanted the people of God in Corinth to know that his mission was to preach the Gospel, not to baptize. He also told them that he did not use human wisdom to preach the Gospel, for that would nullify the cross of Christ and the Word of God.

May the Holy Spirit help us to have one mind and one heart in the Church. Amen!

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Priscilla Christian Huynh
04/18/2023