1 corinthians 1:10 - Now I beg you, brothers, through 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 perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Generated Verse: 1 corinthians 1:10

What does "1 corinthians 1:10" mean?


This verse, 1 Corinthians 1:10, is a plea from the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church to be unified in thought, speech, and judgment. Let's break down each part:

"Now I beg you, brothers..." This shows the urgency and importance Paul places on the issue of unity. He's not commanding; he's pleading, appealing to their sense of brotherhood in Christ.

"...through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ..." Paul invokes the authority and character of Jesus to strengthen his appeal. He's reminding them that their allegiance is to Christ first and foremost, and that their actions should reflect His nature, which is love and unity.

"...that you all speak the same thing..." This doesn't mean everyone must have the same personality or background. It means they should agree on the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith and express these doctrines without causing discord or division. It emphasizes avoiding contradictory teachings or opinions that undermine the core message of the Gospel.

"...and that there be no divisions among you..." The Corinthian church was riddled with factions and disagreements, with people aligning themselves with different leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas). Paul is urging them to overcome these divisions and work together as one body.

"...but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment." This is the ultimate goal: to be unified not only in outward expression but also in inward thinking and understanding. This "perfected" unity doesn't mean they'll never disagree, but it means they'll strive for a shared understanding of truth and a unified approach to applying it. "Same mind" and "same judgment" suggest a collective pursuit of wisdom and discernment, guided by the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Christ.

In essence, Paul is calling for:

Doctrinal agreement: A shared understanding and proclamation of the core truths of Christianity.
Relational harmony: Overcoming personal preferences and factionalism to prioritize unity within the church.
Shared purpose: Working together toward the same goals, guided by the same principles, and with a unified vision.

Why this was important:

The divisions in the Corinthian church were undermining their witness and hindering their ability to effectively serve God. A divided church cannot effectively spread the Gospel or demonstrate the love of Christ to the world. Unity is a powerful testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel.