1 Corinthians 11:18

16 If anyone is inclined to dispute this, we have no other practice, nor do the churches of God.

17 In the following instructions I have no praise to offer, because your gatherings do more harm than good.

First of all, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.

19 And indeed, there must be differences among you to show which of you are approved.

20 Now then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
First of all, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.
KJV
For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
WEB
For first of all, when you come together in the assembly, I hear that divisions exist among you, and I partly believe it.
ASV
For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and I partly believe it.
DARBY
For first, when ye come together in assembly, I hear there exist divisions among you, and I partly give credit [to it].
BLB
For first indeed, [on] your⁺ coming together in an assembly, I hear there to be divisions among you⁺, and in part I believe it.
ÅB
For for det første, når dere kommer sammen i menighets-samling, hører jeg at det er splid iblant dere, og for en del tror jeg det;
OTB
For det første, når dere kommer sammen som en menighet, hører jeg at det er splittelser blant dere; og til en viss grad tror jeg det.
B1930
For for det første, når I kommer sammen i menighets-samling, hører jeg at det er splid iblandt eder, og for en del tror jeg det;

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Corinthians 3:3

    for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 1:10–12

    I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 5:1

    It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 6:1

    If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints!

    Read in context