Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 1:11

"For it hath been signified unto me concerning you, my brethren, by them [that are of the household] of Chloe, that there are contentions among you." — 1 Corinthians 1:11 (ASV)

For it hath been declared unto me. Regarding the contentions existing in the church at Corinth, it is evident that they had not informed him in the letter they had sent (1 Corinthians 7:1; compare the Introduction). He had incidentally heard of their contentions.

My brethren. This is a token of affectionate regard, showing his love for them and his deep interest in their welfare, even when he administered a needed rebuke.

Of the house of Chloe. This refers to the family of Chloe. It is most probable that Chloe was a member of the church at Corinth. Some of her family had been at Ephesus when Paul was there and had given him information about the state of things in Corinth. Who those members of her family were is unknown.

Grotius conjectures that they were Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16:17, who brought the letter from the church at Corinth to Paul. However, there is no certain evidence for this, and perhaps not much probability. If the information had been obtained from them, it is probable that it would have been included in the letter they carried. The probability is that Paul had received this information before they arrived.