In 1 Corinthians, what major problem did Paul address with factionalism among believers?

• A. Church property disputes
• B. Dietary laws causing quarrels
• C. Speaking in tongues without interpretation
• D. Divisions and allegiance to different leaders (e.g., Paul, Apollos, Cephas)

Answer: (D)

At the heart of this question is the issue of unity within the church. Paul is addressing a split in the Corinthian congregation where people formed rival groups around human leaders—some claiming loyalty to Paul, others to Apollos, others to Cephas. He argues that such factionalism divides the body of Christ and distracts from the gospel. The point he makes is that Christ is not divided, and believers are baptized into one Spirit into one body, so allegiance should be to Christ, not to a particular teacher. Leaders are ministers through whom the faith came, but they are not the source of life or identity; God is the one who brings growth, while the church remains one because of its unity in Christ. This is why the correct answer highlights divisions and allegiance to different leaders as the major problem Paul tackled. Other issues, like disputes over dietary practices or speaking in tongues, appear in the letter, but they are separate concerns from the core problem of factionalism based on human loyalties.