Paul criticizes divisions because believers were elevating human leaders above Christ, fragmenting the church and undermining the gospel of grace.
The Corinthians had split into factions based on loyalty to Paul, Apollos, Peter, and even Christ, causing bickering and disunity. Paul rebuked this because it placed human servants in a position that belongs only to Christ, who is not divided. He also defended his apostleship to clarify that his gospel came by revelation from Christ, not human authority.
1 Corinthians 1:12 — This verse directly identifies the divisions Paul criticizes, as believers claimed allegiance to different human leaders.
In 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses the divisions in the Corinthian church where believers said, "I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:12). He asks, "Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Corinthians 1:13), highlighting that Christ's work alone is the basis of salvation. Paul also notes that believers were "yet carnal" because of envying, strife, and divisions (1 Corinthians 3:3-4). Scripture emphasizes that the church should unite around Christ, not human personalities.
Les Feldick explains that the divisions in Corinth were a major problem because believers were attaching themselves to different leaders—some to Paul, some to Apollos, some to Peter, and some to Jesus—resulting in constant bickering and lack of unity. He emphasizes that this was due to carnality, as these believers were not spiritually mature. Les points out that Paul had to defend his apostleship because his authority was under attack, especially from Jewish believers who saw him as a renegade. He teaches that in this age of grace, Paul is the apostle through whom God speaks to the church, and believers should not set their eyes on any man but on the Lord Jesus Christ, who died and rose for them.
According to Les Feldick, there were four groups in Corinth: those who followed Paul, those who followed Apollos, those who followed Peter, and those who followed Jesus Himself. This caused havoc in the church, with constant bickering and no unity, as each group was centered on a human leader.
Paul had to constantly defend his apostleship because it was under attack, particularly from Jewish believers who thought he was a renegade. He established that he received the gospel by revelation from Christ, not from human teachers, and that he was the authoritative apostle for the age of grace.
Les Feldick notes that similar divisions exist today, with some saying they follow Paul and others saying they follow Jesus, but this is a mistake. He urges believers not to set their eyes on any man, but on the Word of God and the crucified and risen Savior.
Why Carnal Believers Are Still Blameless — 1 Corinthians 1:8-9
I have conferred not with flesh and blood, neither went I up to Jerusalem, to them who were before me, but I went into Arabia. And you go over into chapter 4 in Galatians, you'll find that the Arabia he's talking about was Sinai. And that's where I always make the point that God revealed the doctrines of grace at the same mountain that he revealed the law to Moses.
Divisions and Defending Apostleship
Les explains that the Corinthian divisions were part of the problem and that Paul had to constantly defend his apostleship because it was under attack.
Authority of Paul's Apostleship
Les emphasizes that Paul had to establish his authority because of the divisions, and that he is the one through whom God speaks to the whole human race in this age of grace.
Why Does God Wait Until the End to Judge? — 1 Corinthians 4 Explained
Now what's he dealing with? That very problem, that within the congregation of Corinth people were getting all puffed up and said, hey, I'm the one that's most important in this congregation because I go by what Peter taught. And over here was another person who says, oh no, oh no, I'm the one that's the leader of this congregation because I'm emanating the apostle Paul.
Carnality and Divisions
Les points out that the Corinthians were carnal and that their divisions were the first problem Paul addressed, leading to his defense of his apostleship.
Peter's Group and Jewish Connection
Les explains that some Jewish believers followed Peter because of his connection to Judaism, causing a stark division, and he notes that similar divisions exist today.
Four Factions and Unity
Les summarizes the four factions in Corinth and how they caused bickering, urging believers to focus on the Word and the crucified One rather than on men.
Why Christians Are Divided — 1 Corinthians 3 Explained Verse by Verse
No more than an infant can handle a t-bone steak, or solid food. He says you are not able to bear it, and neither even now are you able. Now let's move on where we left off, where he says you are yet carnal. You have not grown sufficiently to take advantage of these spiritual truths that are above and beyond your carnality. And what was their major problem? It was division. Now let's look at it.
1 Corinthians 1:12: Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
This verse explicitly shows the divisions Paul criticizes, where believers are aligning with different human leaders.
1 Corinthians 1:13: Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
Paul challenges the idea that Christ can be divided, emphasizing that no human leader died for them.
1 Corinthians 3:3-4: For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
Paul attributes the divisions to carnality, showing that such factionalism is unspiritual.
Yes, according to Les Feldick, there were four groups: those who followed Paul, those who followed Apollos, those who followed Peter, and those who followed Jesus Himself. This caused constant bickering and disunity in the church.
Paul's apostleship was under constant attack, especially from Jewish believers who considered him a renegade. He had to establish his authority as the apostle through whom God speaks to the whole human race in this age of grace.
Believers should not set their eyes on any man, but focus on the Word of God and on the crucified and risen Savior. Divisions based on loyalty to human leaders are wrong because Christ is not divided.
Watch the Teaching: Why Carnal Believers Are Still Blameless — 1 Corinthians 1:8-9