John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 1:10

"Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and [that] there be no divisions among you; but [that] ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment." — 1 Corinthians 1:10 (ASV)

Now I beseech you, brethren. Until now he has handled the Corinthians mildly, because he knew that they were much too sensitive. Now, however, after preparing their minds for receiving correction, acting as a good and skillful surgeon who soothes the wound when about to apply a painful remedy, he begins to handle them with more severity.

Even here, however, as we will still further see, he uses great moderation. The sum is this: “It is my hope that the Lord has not in vain conferred so many gifts on you without intending to bring you to salvation. But you ought at the same time to take care lest such distinguished graces be polluted by your vices. See, then, that you agree among yourselves; and it is not without good reason that I call for agreement among yourselves, for I have been informed that you are in a state of disagreement, amounting even to hostility, and that there are parties and contentions raging among you, by which true unity of faith is torn asunder.”

However, since they might not perhaps be sufficiently aroused by mere exhortation, he uses earnest entreaty, for he adjures them, by the name of Christ, that, as they loved him, they should aim to promote harmony.

Regarding the call, That you all speak the same thing, in exhorting them to harmony, he employs three different forms of expression:

1. In the first place, he requires such agreement among them that all shall have one voice.
2. Secondly, he takes away the evil by which unity is broken and torn asunder.
3. Thirdly, he unfolds the nature of true harmony, which is that they agree among themselves in mind and will.

What he has placed second is first in order—that we beware of dissensions. For from this, a second thing will naturally follow—that we are in harmony; and then eventually a third thing will follow, which is here mentioned first—that we all speak, as it were, with one mouth—a thing exceedingly desirable as a fruit of Christian harmony.

Let us then observe that nothing is more inconsistent for Christians than to be at variance with one another, for it is the main article of our religion that we are in harmony with one another; and further, on such agreement the safety of the Church rests and depends.

But let us see what he requires regarding Christian unity. If anyone desires fine distinctions, Paul would have them:

1. First of all, joined together in one mind;
2. Secondly, in one judgment; and
3. Thirdly, declare that agreement in words.

However, since my rendering differs somewhat from that of Erasmus, I would, in passing, point out to my readers that Paul here uses a participle denoting things that are fitly and suitably joined together. For the verb καταρτίζεσθαι itself (from which the participle κατηρτισμένος comes) properly signifies to be fitted and adjusted, just as the members of the human body are connected together by a most admirable symmetry.

For sententia (judgment), Paul uses γνώμην; but I understand it here as denoting the will, so that there is a complete division of the soul, and the first clause refers to faith, the second to love. Then only will there be Christian unity among us when there is not merely good agreement on doctrine, but we are also in harmony in our affections and dispositions, and are thus in all respects of one mind.

Thus Luke bears witness to believers in the early Church (Acts 2:46) that they had one heart and one soul. And without doubt, this will be found wherever the Spirit of Christ reigns. When, however, Paul exhorts them to speak the same thing, he intimates still more fully from the effect how complete the agreement ought to be—so that no diversity may appear even in words. This is difficult to attain, indeed, but still necessary among Christians, from whom is required not merely one faith, but also one confession.