Divisions and Factions in 1 Corinthians 11

Factions, "hereseis," as used in 1 Corinthians 11:19, clearly does not refer to divisions caused by false teachers. Instead, in that context, it refers to divisions caused by neglect and humiliation of poor believers and by the formation of personality cults.

The first verse in the Epistles which uses hairesis—actually, the plural, haireseis—is used is 1 Corinthians 11:19.  It is quoted in context below; note particularly the differences between the KJV and the modern version in translation of “heresies:”

Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

1 Corinthians 11:17-22 (KJV).

But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it.For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.  Therefore, when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper,for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you.

I Corinthians 11:17-22 (NASB).

The main problem in Corinth here addressed is “divisions” (schismata), as stated in verse 18.  “Heresies” is used in verse 19, in the KJV, as, essentially, a synonym of “divisions.”  NASB accurately uses the translation “factions,” which is not a technical term. That the terms are not used in the technical sense of the word “heresy” is demonstrated by the types of things this passage, and a parallel passage in the first chapter of the same book, identify as the causes of the divisions.  In 1 Corinthians 11, the divisions appear to have arisen because of differences in economic and social class within the church in Corinth (“Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing?” v. 22) which led to displays of selfishness during the love feasts that accompanied the commemoration of the Lord’s supper.

Earlier in 1 Corinthians, Paul had identified another cause of schismata among the Corinthians—personality cults following certain Christian leaders:

Now I beg you, brothers, through 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 perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers, by those who are from Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” and, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 1:10-13 (WEB).

            Paul, Apollos and Cephas (Peter) were all recognized Christian leaders.  But they all spoke for the same Christ.  In dividing into exclusive groups each claiming to follow only one of these recognized leaders, arguing with each other about whose leader was the greatest, the members of these factions forgot their first loyalty to Christ, just as they did when they broke into groups of richer and poorer, or important citizens and servants.  All of these divisions are out of place in the church. James says the same thing without using the words hairesis or heretikos:

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

James 2:1-9.

And none of these divisions has anything to do with heterodox or disapproved doctrine, the more recent technical meaning of “heresy.”

Next: “Heresies” as a “Work” of the Flesh in Galatians 5