I Corinthians 1:12

Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ (NKJ)

Then: Heads up to hear Chloe's news. The Corinthians knew whose side Chloe was on. We don't. It does make you wonder if the family were Paul's advocates. No matter how natural it is for people to have favorites, the Lord doesn't. Paul knew instinctively that this kind of dissension denies the gospel and blocks non-believers' views of love and forgiveness. Contention abounds in the temples. That's everyday stuff. They expect to see peace in the church and it's not there. So what's the difference? Why follow Christ? In addition, Wright (p. 8) points to an unexpected "we-are-better-than-you" attitude for the "Jesus" party. Cephas was Peter's Aramaic name. Everyone knew how important he was. Knowing that Apollos was taught in Alexandria where Philo lived, Wright also speculates that the Apollos advocates had primary sophistic values. [Sophists -people who listened to intellectuals well trained in the art of speaking and loved discussing the presentations.]

Now: Political commentators are obvious sophists in today's secular world, but the church has its own brand. Many still express preference of one speaker over another. (Notes from Dr. Magness). Congregations of large churches with many ministers and small group leaders have to be alert to divisive favoritism. Some "church shoppers" come and go looking for ministers they like. Others only attend church if a new minister appeals to them. They quit (again) if he doesn't. Everyone has radio ministers to hear today. Popular also are those who develop their own "platforms," and become traveling on-call speakers. Dissension and divisions can build when favoritism oozes into doctrines.