Jesus prayed for the unity of believers. "Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me (John 17:20-21). The reason that he gives in the passage is two-fold: division among the saints would cause a confused picture of the faith to be presented to the world, therefore the world would not believe, and unless we are one, we cannot be one with Jesus and God.

Paul, through the Holy Spirit, expresses the same desire in 1 Corinthians. "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 Cor. 1:10). At this point, Paul gives only the reason that it is Christ’s will, it is "through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" that he beseeches us.

Obviously, there will be differences between brethren. We are not all the same, and we do not come from the same background. Yet Paul says, "no divisions among you." What sort of division is spoken against in these words of the apostle.

To understand what kind of division is condemned, we need first to look at the verse itself. First, we are told to "speak the same thing." Doctrinal differences create division, therefore, we should all be united in doctrine. Throughout the book of 1 Corinthians, Paul deals with questions of doctrine where there is either division already, or unanswered questions about what was previously taught. Paul deals with doctrines such as discipline among the brethren, taking a brother to court, the exercise of liberties, the subjection of women to their husbands and how it relates to their behavior in the worship. The resurrection and miraculous gifts were also discussed. Apparently the brethren did not agree on these subjects. For example, there were some who believed there was no resurrection of the dead (15:12). There were others who held certain miraculous manifestations of the Holy Spirit to be greater than other manifestations. Paul teaches them that such belief is based on false premises in the first place (ch. 12), and that the greater gifts were being neglect for the sake of the less important gifts of miracles (ch. 13). There were enough doctrinal problems discussed in 1 Corinthians, that at least in principle, nearly every problem that we encounter in the church today is touched on.

The solution to doctrinal division is simple. Speak the same thing. But how can we speak the same thing if we do not rely on the same standard? Paul addresses this question in the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians, as he extols the inspired word. The reason for all the division in Corinth is the same reason for division in the church – and in the religious world today. Someone has forsaken the word.

In 1 Corinthians 4:7, Paul asks the question: "For who maketh thee to differ?" What is the cause of the division among these brethren? The question is rhetorical – that is, the answer seems to be apparent in that it is given already in verse 6. In speaking of the illustrations used already and the principles taught by them, Paul says, "Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other." Then the question is asked, "For who maketh thee to differ?" Who makes them differ from one another? Who causes division? Those who cannot limit themselves to what God has given them in the inspired word are responsible for doctrinal division.

If we are going to accomplish the work God has given us, we must be united. If we are to be united and please God, we must learn to stick to the Bible. If it is not in the book, we dare not believe or practice it.

Division is wrong, but it is inevitable when some will not limit themselves to the teachings of the Scriptures. Unity is important, but truth is more important. Jesus did not say, "Unity will make you free." He said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Though unity is the will of Christ, it is possible that we could achieve unity and still all go to hell. If we are united in error, it will be to our loss. Jesus said, "Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both shall fall into a pit" (Matt. 15:13-14).

If compromise is the basis for unity, it is not only useless, it is dishonorable. Solomon gave this inspired instruction: "Buy the truth, and sell it not" (Prov. 23:23). To compromise is to sell the truth. What is more important than the freedom from sin made possible by the truth.? But once compromised, the truth is no longer the truth. Solomon also said, "Take fast hold of instruction; Let her not go: Keep her; For she is thy life" (Prov. 4:13). Paul told Timothy, "Hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee guard through the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in us" (2 Tim. 1:13-14). Holding the pattern of sound words takes a stubbornness that will not accept compromise.

Doctrinal division was one of the concerns of Paul in 1 Corinthians. It should be a concern of ours. But we will never achieve that unity until we can turn loose of that which is beyond what is taught in the Bible.