Divisions in the Church
Category: Failure of unity
Could endure: Be united under Christ alone.
“Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?” (1 Corinthians 1:13)
Cross-Refs: John 17:21; Philippians 2:2.
Chose wrongly: Formed factions around human leaders.
“One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.’” (1 Corinthians 1:12)
Cross-Refs: 1 Corinthians 3:4; Galatians 5:20.
Endured (negatively): Immaturity, quarrels, weakened witness.
“You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly?” (1 Corinthians 3:3)
Cross-Refs: James 3:16; Proverbs 13:10.
Why (wrong motive): Pride, loyalty to men instead of Christ.
“So then, no more boasting about human leaders!” (1 Corinthians 3:21)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 9:23–24; Galatians 6:14.
Result: Rebuked, reminded that only Christ is the foundation.
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)
Cross-Refs: Ephesians 2:20; Colossians 1:18.
Sexual Immorality in the Church
Category: Failure of holiness
Could endure: Flee immorality, honor God with their bodies.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Cross-Refs: 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 13:4.
Chose wrongly: Tolerated incest and sexual sin.
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: a man is sleeping with his father’s wife.” (1 Corinthians 5:1)
Cross-Refs: Leviticus 18:8; Deuteronomy 27:20.
Endured (negatively): Brought shame to Christ’s name.
“And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning?” (1 Corinthians 5:2)
Cross-Refs: Romans 2:24; Revelation 2:20.
Why (wrong motive): Arrogance, tolerance of sin.
“Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?” (1 Corinthians 5:6)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 5:9; Jude 4.
Result: Warned of judgment, called to expel the wicked person.
“Expel the wicked person from among you.” (1 Corinthians 5:13)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 13:5; Matthew 18:17.
Lawsuits Among Believers
Category: Failure of love & witness
Could endure: Settle disputes within the church.
“If any of you has a dispute… do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment?” (1 Corinthians 6:1)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 18:15–17; James 4:1.
Chose wrongly: Sued one another before unbelievers.
“One brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!” (1 Corinthians 6:6)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 25:8–9; 1 Timothy 6:6–7.
Endured (negatively): Defeated spiritually.
“The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already.” (1 Corinthians 6:7)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 5:15; James 2:6.
Why (wrong motive): Greed, self-interest.
“Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” (1 Corinthians 6:7)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 5:39–40; Philippians 2:4.
Result: Public shame, weakened testimony.
“Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?” (1 Corinthians 6:9)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 5:19–21; Revelation 21:8.
Idolatry and Worldliness
Category: Failure of devotion
Could endure: Flee idolatry, remain faithful to Christ.
“Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:14)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 20:3–5; 1 John 5:21.
Chose wrongly: Joined pagan feasts, compromised.
“Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: ‘The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.’” (1 Corinthians 10:7)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 32:6; Numbers 25:1–2.
Endured (negatively): Fell under discipline.
“God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.” (1 Corinthians 10:5)
Cross-Refs: Numbers 14:29; Jude 5.
Why (wrong motive): Desire for pleasure, compromise with culture.
“We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.” (1 Corinthians 10:9)
Cross-Refs: Numbers 21:6; Hebrews 3:12.
Result: Served as warnings for the church.
“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us.” (1 Corinthians 10:11)
Cross-Refs: Romans 15:4; Hebrews 4:11.
Misuse of Spiritual Gifts
Category: Failure of order & love
Could endure: Use gifts to build up the body in love.
“To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7)
Cross-Refs: Ephesians 4:11–12; 1 Peter 4:10.
Chose wrongly: Abused gifts, pursued self-exaltation.
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong.” (1 Corinthians 13:1)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 7:22; Philippians 2:3.
Endured (negatively): Confusion, disorder in worship.
“Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.” (1 Corinthians 14:26 — implied correction for misuse)
Cross-Refs: 1 Corinthians 14:33, 40; James 3:16.
Why (wrong motive): Pride, selfish ambition.
“Knowledge puffs up while love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1)
Cross-Refs: Philippians 2:3; Galatians 5:26.
Result: Rebuked, called to love above all.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Cross-Refs: Colossians 3:14; John 13:35.