Speak the Same Thing
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
The apostle Paul was saddened and concerned by the reports he had received from faithful members of the church in Corinth. Some were accepting various wrong doctrines, and he highlighted some sins and wrong behaviors that were being tolerated by the congregation.
Factions formed because some claimed special distinction, saying they followed and/or were baptized by high profile leaders, including Paul, Apollos and Peter. Some even claimed special status by saying they followed Christ Himself (implying they were doing so more than other Christians were)!
Paul explained that he didn’t want his own following—they should only follow him as he followed Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Christ is not divided, and followers of Christ must strive to have His mind and His judgment. Unity and harmony in speaking the same thing are fruits of following the lead of the Holy Spirit and allowing Jesus Christ to live in us.
For more about unity, see “Acts of Unity.” For more about how Christ lives in us, see “Christ in Us: How Does He Live in You?”
