Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 11:19

What does 1 Corinthians 11:19 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 11:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 11:19 means

Paul soberly says that factions must also exist so that those who are approved may be revealed. God can use even divisions to expose who is sincere and faithful. This is not approval of schism but recognition of God’s providence. In the testing ground of controversy, true character appears. Some will show themselves to honor Christ and love their brothers; others will reveal pride and contempt. The Corinthians should examine which group they belong to. The Lord’s Supper, meant to unite, becomes a mirror exposing hearts when selfishness corrupts the gathering.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For divisions are necessary among you, in order that those who have God's approval may be clearly seen among you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for it behoveth sects also to be among you, that those approved may become manifest among you;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For there must be also heresies: that they also, who are approved may be made manifest among you.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For there must also be sects among you, that the approved may become manifest among you.

Context

Having named the divisions, Paul offers a theological perspective: God uses trials to sift the church. This prepares the reader to understand why Paul is so severe about their practice in verses 20–22. The contrast between the intended meaning of the Supper (rehearsed in verses 23–26) and the actual behavior at Corinth will become the basis for his warnings about judgment and his call to self-examination in the verses that follow.

v.18For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and I partly believe it.

v.19This passage

v.20When therefore ye assemble yourselves together, it is not possible to eat the Lord’s supper:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 15:5

    But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.

  • Matthew 18:7

    Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling! for it must needs be that the occasions come; but woe to that man through whom the occasion cometh!

  • Acts 5:17

    But the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,

  • Luke 2:35

    yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.

  • Acts 28:22

    But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.

  • 2 Corinthians 13:5

    Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate.

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