King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 1:10 Mean?

1 Corinthians 1:10 in the King James Version says “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be n... — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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. divisions: Gr. schisms

1 Corinthians 1:10 · KJV


Context

8

Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

10

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. divisions: Gr. schisms

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.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing (parakaleo de hymas, παρακαλῶ δὲ ὑμᾶς)—The verb parakaleo (παρακαλέω, "to exhort, urge, beseech") is not harsh command but pastoral appeal. Paul invokes the name of our Lord Jesus Christ as the authority and motivation for unity—not his apostolic office or personal preference. That ye all speak the same thing (hina to auto legete pantes, ἵνα τὸ αὐτὸ λέγητε πάντες) does not mean uniformity of opinion on every detail but unity in the core gospel message and absence of divisive rhetoric.

That there be no divisions among you (me e en hymin schismata, μὴ ᾖ ἐν ὑμῖν σχίσματα)—The noun schisma (σχίσμα, "division, tear, split") is the root of "schism." Paul uses the metaphor of a torn garment, echoing Jesus' seamless robe (John 19:23-24) as a symbol of church unity. Be perfectly joined together (katartismenoi, κατηρτισμένοι, "mended, restored, perfected") uses a medical term for setting a broken bone or a maritime term for mending nets—vivid images of restoration.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul now pivots from thanksgiving to confrontation. Reports from Chloe's household (v. 11) revealed that the Corinthian church was fracturing along party lines. This may have involved competition over rhetorical skill, theological sophistication, or loyalty to different founding leaders. In a city obsessed with status and eloquence, the church mirrored the culture rather than transforming it.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the difference between speaking "the same thing" (gospel unity) and enforcing uniformity on secondary matters?
  2. How do modern church divisions mirror the Corinthian factions—personality cults, theological one-upmanship, rhetorical competition?
  3. What does it mean to be "perfectly joined together" in mind and judgment while respecting conscience on disputable matters (Rom 14)?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 35 words
Παρακαλῶ1 of 35

I beseech

G3870

to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)

δὲ2 of 35

Now

G1161

but, and, etc

ὑμᾶς3 of 35

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἀδελφοί4 of 35

brethren

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

διὰ5 of 35

by

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τοῦ6 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀνόματος7 of 35

the name

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

τοῦ8 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κυρίου9 of 35

Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ἡμῶν10 of 35

of our

G2257

of (or from) us

Ἰησοῦ11 of 35

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Χριστοῦ12 of 35

Christ

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

ἵνα13 of 35

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

τὸ14 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αὐτῇ15 of 35

the same

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

λέγητε16 of 35

speak

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

πάντες17 of 35

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

καὶ18 of 35

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

μὴ19 of 35

no

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἦτε20 of 35

that there be

G5600

(may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with g1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be

ἐν21 of 35

among

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ὑμῖν22 of 35

you

G5213

to (with or by) you

σχίσματα23 of 35

divisions

G4978

a split or gap ("schism"), literally or figuratively

ἦτε24 of 35

that there be

G5600

(may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with g1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be

δὲ25 of 35

Now

G1161

but, and, etc

κατηρτισμένοι26 of 35

perfectly joined together

G2675

to complete thoroughly, i.e., repair (literally or figuratively) or adjust

ἐν27 of 35

among

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ28 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αὐτῇ29 of 35

the same

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

νοῒ30 of 35

mind

G3563

the intellect, i.e., mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication, meaning

καὶ31 of 35

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐν32 of 35

among

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ33 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αὐτῇ34 of 35

the same

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

γνώμῃ35 of 35

judgment

G1106

cognition, i.e., (subjectively) opinion, or (objectively) resolve (counsel, consent, etc.)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 1:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 1:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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