“But I urge you, believers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in full agreement in what you say, and that there be no divisions or factions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your way of thinking and in your judgment [about matters of the faith]” (1 Corinthians 1:10 AMP)
The apostle Paul was advising the Corinthian church to uphold unity and brotherly love, reproving them for their divisions. The Church of Christ has seen many differences among various groups.
Paul focuses on the Headship of Jesus Christ He writes to them in a very engaging way: encouraging them on their common understanding, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; if you have any regard to that worthy name by which you are called, be unanimous, speak all the same thing. Avoid divisions that alienate love for one another as far as you can.
The origin of these contentions is pride. (see Proverbs 13:10) The Corinthians quarrelled about their favourite ministers. Paul and Apollos were both called and faithful ministers of Jesus Christ helping the early church develop their faith. Hyping up ministerial leadership, various church doctrines or the founding fathers/pioneers among churches only lead to confusion, fanaticism, and fractured parties.
The worldwide witness of the Lord by his disciples is ruined when we set ministers at the head of differing factions: some claimed Paul, others puffed up Apollos, some cried Cephas (or Peter) possibly because he was the apostle to the Jews (and began fearless preaching to the early church in Jerusalem at Pentecost), and some were for none of them, but Christ only.
“…each one of you says, “I am [a disciple] of Paul,” or “I am [a disciple] of Apollos,” or “I am [a disciple] of Cephas (Peter),” or “I am [a disciple] of Christ.” Has Christ been divided [into different parts]? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul? [Certainly not!]” (1 Corinthians 1:12 AMP)
Christians are to represent the Lord In the mind led by the Spirit there is a union of the affections of love, joy, and peace; though not always an interpretive unity of doctrinal sentiment. By agreeing in our unmerited salvation purchased on the cross of Calvary by our Lord, we have total agreement in our solidarity on this one thing which should extinguish all divisions among minor ones distinct to our held Christian beliefs. At the cross, all are perfectly united in our way of thinking.
The best things in the world can be corrupted The gospel and its Lord and those born of His Spirit, are in perfect harmony with themselves and one another. The secret Paul advises in chapter two is to focus on the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, not on the antithetical divisions of the carnal mindsets of the world. We see enough of this in politics today. Everyone has a differing viewpoint — leave that to the world, outside of the church of our Lord and our witness of Him together. When we see it in the universal church, it is sad evidence of the corruption and depravity of human nature.
Paul made it clear pride will blow away and carry Christians uselessly in opposition to one another, so far as to set Christ and his apostles at variance in the minds of one another, destroying unified peace and the Christian graces that can be evident in joyful witness. Avoid being made a viral engine of variance, discord, and contention! Focus on sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and proclaim His grace instead.