Corinthians Community Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter: Verse)

Quote #1

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. (NRSV 1 Corinthians 1:10-11)

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. (KJV 1 Corinthians 1:10-11)

Not quarrels! Paul starts out his first letter super sad by news of divisions. Can't the Corinthians all just get along? While we're at it—why is it any of Pauls' beeswax?

Quote #2

Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. (NRSV 1 Corinthians 5:6-7)

Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. (KJV 1 Corinthians 5:6-7)

No man is an island, right? Here Paul is just saying that the actions of one person affect everyone. What other metaphors does Paul use throughout Corinthians? Why doesn't he ever just say what he means?

Quote #3

When any of you has a grievance against another, do you dare to take it to court before the unrighteous, instead of taking it before the saints? […] I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to decide between one believer and another, but a believer goes to court against a believer—and before unbelievers at that? In fact, to have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud—and believers at that. (NRSV 1 Corinthians 6:1, 5-8)

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? […] I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. (KJV 1 Corinthians 6:1, 5-8)

Paul is pretty ticked that the Corinthians have actually been suing each other. If they absolutely have to settle problems with each other, he says they should take it to the community. If you think about it, in order for this to make it into Paul's letter—let along into the Bible—it must have been a pretty big issue at the time.