 | I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. |
 | 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. |
 | Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. |
Commentary
Among the Corinthian church's many sins and shortcomings, quarreling is the one that Paul chose to deal with first. In unity lies the joy of Christian ministry and the credibility of Christian testimony. In His high priestly prayer the Lord prayed repeatedly that His church would be one (John 17:11, 21-23). The implication of the oneness of nature and communion with God for which He prayed for His disciples was a "fleshed out" oneness in life. Immediately after Pentecost the newly empowered believers were in perfect harmony with each other-sharing, rejoicing, worshiping, and witnessing together, "day by day continuing with one mind in the temple .. praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved" (Acts 2:46-47). Their unity bore great fruit in their ministry to each other, in their witness to the world, and in their pleasing and glorifying God.
MacArthur, J. (1996, c1984). 1 Corinthians. Includes indexes. (25). Chicago: Moody Press.
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