11 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.
11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.
11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.
11 I bring this up because some from Chloe's family brought a most disturbing report to my attention - that you're fighting among yourselves!
11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.
11 For some members of Chloe's household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters.
2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
2 And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this?
2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.
2 And you're so above it all that it doesn't even faze you! Shouldn't this break your hearts? Shouldn't it bring you to your knees in tears? Shouldn't this person and his conduct be confronted and dealt with?
2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.
2 You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame. And you should remove this man from your fellowship.
(Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-8)
The apostle notices a flagrant abuse, winked at by the Corinthians. Party spirit, and a false notion of Christian liberty, seem to have saved the offender from censure. Grievous indeed is it that crimes should sometimes be committed by professors of the gospel, of which even heathens would be ashamed. Spiritual pride and false doctrines tend to bring in, and to spread such scandals. How dreadful the effects of sin! The devil reigns where Christ does not. And a man is in his kingdom, and under his power, when not in Christ. The bad example of a man of influence is very mischievous; it spreads far and wide. Corrupt principles and examples, if not corrected, would hurt the whole church. Believers must have new hearts, and lead new lives. Their common conversation and religious deeds must be holy. So far is the sacrifice of Christ our Passover for us, from rendering personal and public holiness unnecessary, that it furnishes powerful reasons and motives for it. Without holiness we can neither live by faith in him, nor join in his ordinances with comfort and profit.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:11
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:10-16
(Read 1 Corinthians 1:10-16)
In the great things of religion be of one mind; and where there is not unity of sentiment, still let there be union of affection. Agreement in the greater things should extinguish divisions about the lesser. There will be perfect union in heaven, and the nearer we approach it on earth, the nearer we come to perfection. Paul and Apollos both were faithful ministers of Jesus Christ, and helpers of their faith and joy; but those disposed to be contentious, broke into parties. So liable are the best things to be corrupted, and the gospel and its institutions made engines of discord and contention. Satan has always endeavoured to stir up strife among Christians, as one of his chief devices against the gospel. The apostle left it to other ministers to baptize, while he preached the gospel, as a more useful work.