1 Corinthians 11:19

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} there must {G1163} be {G1511} also {G2532} heresies {G139} among {G1722} you {G5213}, that {G2443} they which are approved {G1384} may be made {G1096} manifest {G5318} among {G1722} you {G5213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

(granted that there must be some divisions among you in order to show who are the ones in the right).

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle Paul, addressing the Corinthian church, articulates a profound truth: the presence of divisions, or "heresies," within the community is not merely an unfortunate occurrence but a divinely ordained necessity. These internal conflicts serve a purposeful role, acting as a crucible through which the genuine faith, integrity, and spiritual maturity of true believers are tested, revealed, and ultimately made evident to all. This process distinguishes those who are truly approved by God from those who are not.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's extensive admonitions regarding order and conduct during the Corinthian church's communal gatherings, particularly their observance of the Lord's Supper. Beginning in [1 Corinthians 11:2](/1_corinthians/11-2 "1 Corinthians 11:2 - Instructions on Head Coverings and Conduct"), Paul addresses issues of head coverings, then transitions to the profound abuses occurring during the agape feast and the Lord's Supper itself. The Corinthians' selfish behavior, social stratification, and lack of unity were leading to divisions that desecrated the sacred meal (cf. [1 Corinthians 11:17-22](/1_corinthians/11-17-22 "1 Corinthians 11:17-22 - Abuses at the Lord's Supper")). Verse [1 Corinthians 11:18](/1_corinthians/11-18 "1 Corinthians 11:18 - Divisions in the Church") explicitly states, "For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it." Verse 19 then offers a theological explanation for why such divisions are permitted, serving as a sobering transition before Paul provides detailed instructions for the proper observance of the Lord's Supper in [1 Corinthians 11:23-34](/1_corinthians/11-23-34 "1 Corinthians 11:23-34 - Institution and Practice of the Lord's Supper").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan hub, known for its wealth, diverse population, and prevalent immorality. This environment inevitably influenced the nascent Christian community, which struggled with internal strife stemming from various sources: philosophical pride, social distinctions between rich and poor, allegiance to different apostolic figures (e.g., Paul, Apollos, Cephas, as seen in [1 Corinthians 1:10-12](/1_corinthians/1-10-12 "1 Corinthians 1:10-12 - Divisions Over Leaders")), and even differing views on spiritual gifts. The "heresies" (factions or parties) mentioned in [1 Corinthians 11:19](/1_corinthians/11-19 "1 Corinthians 11:19 - The Purpose of Divisions") were not necessarily full-blown doctrinal heresies in the modern sense but rather disruptive schisms that fractured the unity of the body of Christ, often rooted in pride, self-interest, or a misunderstanding of Christian liberty and love. Paul's letters consistently address the challenge of maintaining unity and sound doctrine amidst such pressures in the early church.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in 1 Corinthians and Pauline theology. It highlights the **inevitability of internal conflict** within the church, acknowledging that human imperfection and external pressures will lead to divisions. Crucially, it introduces the theme of **divine purpose in adversity**, asserting that God can use even negative circumstances like divisions to achieve His redemptive ends. This ties into the broader theme of **spiritual testing and discernment**, where challenges serve to refine and reveal the true character and faithfulness of believers. The concept of **divine approval** is central, emphasizing that genuine faith is not merely professed but proven through endurance and adherence to truth amidst opposition. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of **unity in Christ** as the ideal, even when faced with the painful reality of disunity, preparing the church to understand the deeper meaning of the Lord's Supper as a symbol of their shared identity in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heresies (Greek, _haíresis'_):** From G139, this term primarily means "a choice" or "a chosen course of thought or action," which then developed into "a sect" or "a party." In the New Testament, it often refers to factions, divisions, or dissenting opinions within a group, sometimes implying a departure from accepted truth. While it can denote fundamental doctrinal error, in Paul's context here, it encompasses the divisive parties or schisms that disrupt unity, even if not yet fully developed into what we today call "heresy." The KJV's translation "heresies" captures the sense of chosen, distinct parties or beliefs that cause division.
* **Approved (Greek, _dókimos'_):** From G1384, this word signifies something that has been tested and found genuine, worthy, or acceptable. It was commonly used for metals (like gold or silver) that had been proven pure after being subjected to fire or assay. In this context, those who are "approved" are believers whose faith, integrity, and adherence to truth have been demonstrated and validated through the challenges posed by divisions, false teachings, or internal strife. Their genuineness is revealed under pressure.
* **Manifest (Greek, _phanerós'_):** From G5318, meaning "shining, i.e., apparent (literally or figuratively); neuter (as adverb) publicly, externally." This word emphasizes the outcome of the testing process: what was hidden or uncertain becomes clearly visible and known. The purpose of the divisions is to make evident, to bring into the open, who among the Corinthian believers are truly "approved" by God, distinguishing them from those whose faith may be superficial or compromised.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For there must be also heresies among you,"**: Paul begins with a strong conjunction ("For," G1063, _gár_), indicating a reason or explanation for the preceding statement about divisions. The phrase "there must be" (G1163, _deî_, "it is necessary," and G1511, _eînai_, "to exist") denotes not a divine command for divisions, but a statement of their inevitability and even necessity within God's sovereign plan. The term "heresies" (G139, _haíresis_) here refers to factions or parties, indicating real schisms and disunity within the Corinthian church. Paul acknowledges that such divisions are an unavoidable reality in a fallen world, even within the nascent Christian community.
* **"that they which are approved"**: This clause introduces the divine purpose behind the allowed presence of these divisions. The word "that" (G2443, _hína_) signifies purpose or result. "They which are approved" (G1384, _dókimos_) refers to those believers whose faith has been tested and found genuine, like precious metals refined by fire. These are the ones who remain steadfast in their commitment to Christ and biblical truth amidst the challenges of internal conflict and differing opinions.
* **"may be made manifest among you."**: This final clause completes the purpose statement. The phrase "may be made manifest" (G1096, _gínomai_, "to become" or "come into being," and G5318, _phanerós_, "apparent" or "visible") indicates that the divisions serve to reveal or make evident the true character of believers. The testing environment created by factions brings to light who truly belongs to Christ and whose faith is authentic. It's a process of divine discernment, where the genuine are distinguished from the spurious within the community.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in this concise verse. The primary device is **Divine Purpose** or **Teleology**, where the existence of "heresies" is presented not as an unfortunate accident but as a necessary means to a specific, positive end ("that they which are approved may be made manifest"). This implies a higher, sovereign hand at work, even in the midst of human failings. There is also an implied **Metaphor of Refinement**, drawing on the common ancient practice of testing metals. Just as fire purifies gold and reveals its true nature, so too do divisions within the church serve to test and reveal the authenticity of believers' faith. This process of testing and revealing also functions as a form of **Irony** or **Paradox**, where something seemingly negative (divisions) ultimately serves a beneficial, purifying purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's statement in [1 Corinthians 11:19](/1_corinthians/11-19 "1 Corinthians 11:19 - The Purpose of Divisions") offers a profound theological insight into God's sovereignty over human sin and imperfection. It teaches that God does not merely permit evil or division, but can actively use it as an instrument for His redemptive purposes, specifically for the purification and discernment of His people. This verse underscores that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but a tested, enduring commitment that is revealed through adversity. It challenges believers to view internal church conflicts not as reasons for despair, but as opportunities for spiritual growth, deeper discernment, and a clearer manifestation of genuine discipleship. God's ultimate goal is to distinguish between those who are truly His and those who are not, refining the church into a purer reflection of Christ.

* [James 1:2-4](/james/1-2-4 "James 1:2-4 - The Testing of Faith")
* [1 Peter 1:6-7](/1_peter/1-6-7 "1 Peter 1:6-7 - Faith Tested by Fire")
* [Romans 5:3-5](/romans/5-3-5 "Romans 5:3-5 - Benefits of Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 11:19 provides a crucial framework for understanding and navigating the inevitable challenges of church life. Instead of being surprised or disheartened by disagreements, factions, or even doctrinal errors within Christian communities, believers are called to recognize that these can serve a divine purpose. This perspective encourages a proactive posture of discernment, compelling us to examine our own beliefs more deeply, to cling steadfastly to biblical truth, and to cultivate a spirit of humility and love even amidst differing opinions. Our response to such divisions reveals the authenticity of our faith: do we react with bitterness and further division, or do we stand firm in truth, seeking unity where possible, and allowing the process to refine our character and clarify our convictions? This verse calls us to embrace spiritual maturity, understanding that the crucible of conflict can forge a more resilient and genuine faith, making manifest those who are truly approved by God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that divisions "must be" change your perspective on conflicts within the church or Christian community?**
* **In what ways have past disagreements or challenges in your faith journey helped to reveal or strengthen your true convictions?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate discernment and ensure your faith is "approved" rather than superficial, especially when faced with differing opinions?**
* **How can you contribute to unity and truth within your community while acknowledging the divine purpose of testing through "heresies"?**

### FAQ
**What does Paul mean by "heresies" in this context, and how does it differ from our modern understanding of heresy?**

Answer: In [1 Corinthians 11:19](/1_corinthians/11-19 "1 Corinthians 11:19 - The Purpose of Divisions"), the Greek word for "heresies" (G139, _haíresis_) refers primarily to "factions," "parties," or "divisions" within the community. While it can imply a chosen set of beliefs that deviate from truth, in this specific context, it emphasizes the schisms and disunity that were plaguing the Corinthian church, often stemming from pride, social stratification, or allegiance to different leaders (as seen in [1 Corinthians 1:10-12](/1_corinthians/1-10-12 "1 Corinthians 1:10-12 - Divisions Over Leaders")). It's broader than our modern, stricter definition of "heresy" as a fundamental, damnable doctrinal error, though such errors can certainly lead to factions. Here, Paul is addressing the practical breakdown of unity during communal gatherings, which revealed deeper issues of spiritual immaturity and self-centeredness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 11:19, while addressing internal church strife, points us ultimately to Christ as the one who brings true unity and through whom all approval is found. Jesus himself faced immense division and opposition, from the religious leaders of His day who considered Him a heretic to the ultimate rejection that led to His crucifixion (cf. [John 19:15](/john/19-15 "John 19:15 - 'Crucify Him!'")). Yet, through His suffering and death, He became the "approved" and spotless Lamb of God ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption by Christ's Precious Blood")). The divisions within the church, though painful, serve to refine His body, the church, making manifest those who truly belong to Him and are built upon the solid foundation of His truth (cf. [1 Corinthians 3:11](/1_corinthians/3-11 "1 Corinthians 3:11 - Christ the Only Foundation")). Just as Christ was tested and proven faithful, so too are His followers refined through trials, including internal conflicts, to reflect His character more perfectly. Our "approval" is not based on our own merit, but on being found in Christ, whose righteousness is imputed to us ([Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Philippians 3:9 - Righteousness Through Faith in Christ")). The ultimate purpose of these divisions is to purify the church, preparing her as a spotless bride for her returning Groom, Jesus Christ ([Ephesians 5:27](/ephesians/5-27 "Ephesians 5:27 - Christ's Love for the Church")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 John 2:19

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Titus 3:10

A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

Acts 20:30

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Luke 17:1

¶ Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe [unto him], through whom they come!

Deuteronomy 13:3

Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Matthew 18:7

¶ Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

2 Peter 2:1

¶ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.