From the very outset, Paul straightforwardly asserts what continues as a major theme throughout his first Corinthian correspondence - his plea for unity of "mind" and "purpose" among some quite combative Christians. Paul has heard disturbing reports about the extent to which bickering and backbiting have begun to threaten the stability of the Corinthian community. Scholars posit that "Chloe's people" (v. 11) refers to a group of Ephesian Christians who had kept in close touch with all that was happening in Corinth.

As Paul describes the conflicting loyalties that were fraying the community, he uses proper names to distinguish one group from another. It is speculative to conclude that these groups were theological parties within the early church. Even scholars who have tried to make a case …