1 Corinthians 11:19 Meaning: Why Factions Must Come
For there also must be factions among you, that those who are approved may be revealed among you.
For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you.
for it behoveth sects also to be among you, that those approved may become manifest among you;
For there must also be sects among you, that the approved may become manifest among you.
Meaning in one sentence
Paul says factions must exist among believers so that genuine Christians may be revealed. Discover what this means for the church today.
Context
Paul is writing to a church in chaos. The Corinthians have been gathering for the Lord's Supper, but instead of unity there is disorder: the rich eat and drink ahead of the poor, some go hungry while others get drunk. In verse 18 Paul says he hears there are divisions among them, and he partly believes it. Then he adds a surprising statement: factions must exist among them. He is not approving of their behavior. He is explaining that God can take even the painful reality of broken relationships and use it to show whose faith is real. The verse sits inside a longer rebuke about how they treat one another at the table that should unite them.
Key Words
Three Greek words hold the weight of this verse. First, haireseis, translated here as 'factions' (or 'heresies' in some versions). It comes from a verb meaning 'to choose.' In the ancient world it could mean a school of thought or a party. Paul uses it for the hardened divisions that go beyond mere disagreements, the kind that split a community into camps. Second, dei, 'must be.' This is not a divine command but a necessity arising from human nature. As Barnes notes, given our pride and stubbornness, such splits are to be expected. Third, dokimoi, 'approved.' The word was used for coins that passed the test of authenticity. It describes people who have been tested by fire and found genuine. Paul's point is not that God wants division, but that He lets it happen so that real, tested faith can become visible.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have long wrestled with what Paul means here. Reformed commentators like Calvin and the Geneva Bible see the phrase 'must be' as pointing to God's sovereign permission: He overrules human sin for His own purposes. Matthew Henry and Wesley, representing Methodist and Anglican traditions, emphasize that God permits divisions to reveal who is upright of heart. The Cambridge Bible notes that the Greek construction 'in order that' suggests a divine purpose testing faith, as in James 1:3. Baptist commentator Gill goes further, saying God has decreed heresies to come. All agree Paul is not endorsing division but describing how God works through it to make genuine believers known.
A common misunderstanding
Living This Out
This week when you see a conflict in your church or among Christian friends, fight the urge to panic or take sides. Instead, ask yourself: what is this situation revealing? Not just about others, but about your own heart. Are you quick to love, slow to judge? Do you hold to truth with humility? Paul says that hard moments can expose who is truly approved, not perfect, but tested and genuine. You may not be able to stop every division, but you can let it shape you into someone whose faith is real. That is a purpose worth trusting.
Main takeaway: God can use the painful reality of division to reveal whose faith is genuine and approved by Him.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Sometimes people in church disagree. That’s hard, but God can use it to help us grow strong and show we really love Him.
For ages 9, 12
When Paul wrote this, the Corinthian church was arguing about food and who was important. Paul says these arguments will happen, but God lets them happen so that people whose faith is real can be seen. It’s like a test that shows what’s inside you. When you face a disagreement, ask God to help you be honest and kind, and to trust that He is still in control.
Questions People Ask
What does 'factions' mean in 1 Corinthians 11:19?
The Greek word is 'haireseis', which can mean sects, parties, or heresies. In this context, Paul means hardened divisions or groups within the church that go beyond simple disagreements. It refers to people choosing to separate over beliefs or practices.
Does God cause divisions in the church according to this verse?
No. Paul says divisions 'must be' because of human sin and weakness, not because God directly causes them. God permits them and overrules them for His purpose, which is to reveal whose faith is genuine.
What does it mean to be 'approved' in this verse?
The Greek word 'dokimoi' means tested and found genuine, like a coin that passes inspection. It describes believers whose faith has been tried by difficulties and proven real. Being approved is not about perfection but about persevering in love and truth.
Is Paul saying that heresies are necessary in the church?
Not in the sense that God wants false teaching. Paul means that given human nature, false teachings and divisions are inevitable. But God in His wisdom uses even these painful realities to separate genuine faith from shallow profession.
Why does Paul bring up factions right after talking about divisions at the Lord's Supper?
The Corinthians' selfish behavior at the love-feast revealed deeper problems: cliques, pride, and disregard for others. Paul says such divisions are not surprising, and they actually serve to make visible who among them is sincerely following Christ.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study