1 Corinthians 1:10
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.
Original Language Analysis
Παρακαλῶ
I beseech
G3870
Παρακαλῶ
I beseech
Strong's:
G3870
Word #:
1 of 35
to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
ἀδελφοί
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
4 of 35
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
5 of 35
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀνόματος
the name
G3686
ὀνόματος
the name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
7 of 35
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
Lord
G2962
κυρίου
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
9 of 35
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
11 of 35
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῇ
the same
G846
αὐτῇ
the same
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 35
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λέγητε
speak
G3004
λέγητε
speak
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
16 of 35
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 35
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μὴ
no
G3361
μὴ
no
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
19 of 35
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἦτε
that there be
G5600
ἦτε
that there be
Strong's:
G5600
Word #:
20 of 35
(may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with g1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be
σχίσματα
divisions
G4978
σχίσματα
divisions
Strong's:
G4978
Word #:
23 of 35
a split or gap ("schism"), literally or figuratively
ἦτε
that there be
G5600
ἦτε
that there be
Strong's:
G5600
Word #:
24 of 35
(may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with g1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be
κατηρτισμένοι
perfectly joined together
G2675
κατηρτισμένοι
perfectly joined together
Strong's:
G2675
Word #:
26 of 35
to complete thoroughly, i.e., repair (literally or figuratively) or adjust
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῇ
the same
G846
αὐτῇ
the same
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
29 of 35
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
νοῒ
mind
G3563
νοῒ
mind
Strong's:
G3563
Word #:
30 of 35
the intellect, i.e., mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication, meaning
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
31 of 35
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
33 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 12:25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.Romans 12:16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.2 Corinthians 13:11Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.Psalms 133:1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!Philippians 1:27Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;1 Corinthians 11:18For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.1 Corinthians 4:16Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.2 Corinthians 5:20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.Romans 16:17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.Acts 4:32And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Historical Context
Paul now pivots from thanksgiving to confrontation. Reports from Chloe's household (v. 11) revealed that the Corinthian church was fracturing along party lines. This may have involved competition over rhetorical skill, theological sophistication, or loyalty to different founding leaders. In a city obsessed with status and eloquence, the church mirrored the culture rather than transforming it.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the difference between speaking "the same thing" (gospel unity) and enforcing uniformity on secondary matters?
- How do modern church divisions mirror the Corinthian factions—personality cults, theological one-upmanship, rhetorical competition?
- What does it mean to be "perfectly joined together" in mind and judgment while respecting conscience on disputable matters (Rom 14)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing (parakaleo de hymas, παρακαλῶ δὲ ὑμᾶς)—The verb parakaleo (παρακαλέω, "to exhort, urge, beseech") is not harsh command but pastoral appeal. Paul invokes the name of our Lord Jesus Christ as the authority and motivation for unity—not his apostolic office or personal preference. That ye all speak the same thing (hina to auto legete pantes, ἵνα τὸ αὐτὸ λέγητε πάντες) does not mean uniformity of opinion on every detail but unity in the core gospel message and absence of divisive rhetoric.
That there be no divisions among you (me e en hymin schismata, μὴ ᾖ ἐν ὑμῖν σχίσματα)—The noun schisma (σχίσμα, "division, tear, split") is the root of "schism." Paul uses the metaphor of a torn garment, echoing Jesus' seamless robe (John 19:23-24) as a symbol of church unity. Be perfectly joined together (katartismenoi, κατηρτισμένοι, "mended, restored, perfected") uses a medical term for setting a broken bone or a maritime term for mending nets—vivid images of restoration.