King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 1:12 Mean?

1 Corinthians 1:12 in the King James Version says “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.” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

1 Corinthians 1:12 · KJV

Context

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.

13

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

14

I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—Paul identifies four factions centered on human personalities. The Paul party likely boasted of their founder's apostolic authority. The Apollos party (Acts 18:24-28) probably preferred his eloquence and philosophical sophistication—Apollos was "mighty in the scriptures" and "an eloquent man." The Cephas party (Peter's Aramaic name) may have claimed superiority through connection to Jesus' original disciples or favored a more Jewish Christianity. The Christ party sounds pious but may have been the most divisive, claiming direct spiritual insight that bypassed human teachers—a form of super-spirituality Paul will critique throughout the letter.

Each slogan—I am of Paul, I am of Apollos (ego men eimi Paulou, ego de Apollō, ἐγὼ μέν εἰμι Παύλου, ἐγὼ δὲ Ἀπολλῶ)—mirrors the factional rhetoric of Greek philosophical schools, where students pledged loyalty to a master. Paul rejects this entirely: Christian identity is in Christ alone, not human teachers.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Apollos arrived in Corinth after Paul's departure (Acts 19:1) and impressed many with his rhetorical skill and scriptural knowledge. This unintentionally created comparison and competition. Cephas (Peter) may have visited Corinth or had followers there who valued Jewish tradition and apostolic precedent. These were godly men, but their admirers turned them into factional mascots. Paul later insists he and Apollos are merely servants through whom they believed (3:5).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do modern Christians form personality cults around favorite preachers, authors, or theological traditions?
  2. Can you claim to follow "Christ alone" while actually being devoted to a particular teacher or movement?
  3. How does competition over eloquence, theological sophistication, or spiritual credentials mirror the Corinthian factions today?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
λέγει1 of 20

“I say”

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

δὲ2 of 20

“Now”

G1161

but, and, etc

τοῦτο3 of 20

“this”

G5124

that thing

ὅτι4 of 20

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἕκαστος5 of 20

“every one”

G1538

each or every

ὑμῶν6 of 20

“of you”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

λέγει7 of 20

“I say”

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

Ἐγὼ8 of 20

“I”

G1473

i, me

μέν9 of 20
G3303

properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)

εἰμι10 of 20

“am”

G1510

i exist (used only when emphatic)

Παύλου11 of 20

“of Paul”

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle

Ἐγὼ12 of 20

“I”

G1473

i, me

δὲ13 of 20

“Now”

G1161

but, and, etc

Ἀπολλῶ14 of 20

“of Apollos”

G625

apollos, an israelite

Ἐγὼ15 of 20

“I”

G1473

i, me

δὲ16 of 20

“Now”

G1161

but, and, etc

Κηφᾶ17 of 20

“of Cephas”

G2786

the rock; cephas (i.e., kepha), a surname of peter

Ἐγὼ18 of 20

“I”

G1473

i, me

δὲ19 of 20

“Now”

G1161

but, and, etc

Χριστοῦ20 of 20

“of Christ”

G5547

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

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 1:12 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 1:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 23:9-10John 1:421 Corinthians 3:21-231 Corinthians 3:4-61 Corinthians 9:51 Corinthians 4:6

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