1 Corinthians 1:11-13
What is written? (ESV)
For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, I follow Paul, or I follow Apollos, or I follow Cephas, or I follow Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
What does it say?
I [Paul] have heard from Chloe’s people that quarrels are happening based on individuals claiming allegiance to Paul, Apollos, Peter or Christ. But Christ is not/should not be divided in this way. Christ was crucified. They are baptized into Christ.
What is its immediate context?
Paul is writing to the church in Corinth dealing with several serious issues throughout the letter, but here dealing with divisions among them.
How 1 Corinthians 1:11-13 is applied across Bible answers
Are Jesus’ words (red letter Bible) more important than other Scripture?
Paul is rebuking those who elevate any preacher/teacher of the gospel above another, even listing Christ. Obviously, Jesus Christ is the one they all followed and taught, but the message came from the Father.
Does Bible interpretation require special training?
Paul points the Christians in Corinth back to Christ as their sole authority and leader. There was division because they were "choosing favorites" in terms of their spiritual leader or preacher.
What is Scripture weighting?
Paul is condemning any precedent to be taken based on who the messenger was - they all preached the Gospel of Christ to no lesser or greater degree. This would include Christ Himself (and those well-intentioned 'red-letter editions'). By including Christ in the list of "I follow" he is addressing those who might say, "Christ's words were superior" (and thereby discounting Paul or Apollos or Cephas' teaching).
What is the purpose of baptism?
Paul asks three rhetorical questions, apparently obvious to his audience (saints in Corinth). Baptism is the subject of one, alongside Jesus the Son and His crucifixion. Not only does this highlight the importance of baptism, but also infers that all at Corinth (the saints) had been baptized -- which he explicitly states later on in his letter.11
