A Church Divided Over Leaders

10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a](A) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you,(B) but that you be perfectly united(C) in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household(D) have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”;(E) another, “I follow Apollos”;(F) another, “I follow Cephas[b]”;(G) still another, “I follow Christ.”

13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?(H) 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus(I) and Gaius,(J) 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household(K) of Stephanas;(L) beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize,(M) but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom(N) and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 1:10 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 11 and 26; and in 2:1; 3:1; 4:6; 6:8; 7:24, 29; 10:1; 11:33; 12:1; 14:6, 20, 26, 39; 15:1, 6, 50, 58; 16:15, 20.
  2. 1 Corinthians 1:12 That is, Peter

To the Church in Pergamum

12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum(A) write:

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.(B) 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me,(C) not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness,(D) who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.(E)

14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you:(F) There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam,(G) who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols(H) and committed sexual immorality.(I) 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.(J) 16 Repent(K) therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.(L)

17 Whoever has ears, let them hear(M) what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious,(N) I will give some of the hidden manna.(O) I will also give that person a white stone with a new name(P) written on it, known only to the one who receives it.(Q)

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