PerryDox – BeJustAChristian

What does Paul mean in 1 Corinthians 11:19 – “There must, indeed, be factions among you, so that those who are approved may be recognized among you.” Is this approval right and good? Or, is Paul again using sarcasm? Using the chiastic structure to interpret consider the latter.

A – (17) Now in giving the following instruction I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse.

B – (18) For to begin with, I hear that when you come together as a church there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. (19) There must, indeed, be factions among you, so that those who are approved may be recognized among you.

C – (20) Therefore, when you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord’s Supper.

B’ – (21) For at the meal, each one eats his own supper ahead of others. So one person is hungry while another gets drunk! (22) Don’t you have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you look down on the church of God and embarrass those who have nothing?

A’ – What should I say to you? Should I praise you? I do not praise you for this!

I think it is possible that Paul is not commending factions in v.19 as necessary so that those who are approved will be evident in a good way, but rather using sarcasm towards those who are approved in their own eyes, resulting in embarrassing or belittling those not approved in v.22.

Consider four other arguments besides the chiastic arrangement.

1. How Paul began the letter, might influence this interpretation also (1 Cor.1:10-11). Why would Paul write to correct division and then approve it?

2. Plus in the beginning he does not doubt that there are divisions, but here he uses language that is not so certain in saying, “And in part I believe it.”  I think it is possible that Paul is turning this against the dividers that instead of them using division to approve, Paul is saying if it is necessary you are the ones not approved.

3.  Elsewhere in both letters to the Corinthians, Paul uses sarcasm to make his point (1 Cor.4; 2 Cor.11).

4. 2 Corinthians 10:18 and 13:7 use the same word for “approved” (dokimos) and in both places the standard of approval is being condemned.