The Shepherd, July 2009
This saying of the Apostle Paul is beautifully explained by our truly eminent Orthodox theologian, [St] Theophan the Recluse, who in his time was the rector of a Theological Academy and wrote a complete and remarkably profound commentary on the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. Here is how he explains these words [quoting Saint John Chrysostom]: “By the word ‘heresies’ he [St Paul] understands here not errors concerning dogmas, but actual (and similar) quarrels. If he were speaking of errors concerning dogmas, however, he would not have given occasion for offense (with the words, “for there must be”). For Christ said, “It must needs be that offenses come” (Mat. 18:7), but at the same time He did not violate our free will and establish this as a necessity and inevitability for us. He foretold the future, which happens from the evil will of mankind, not as a result of His prediction but from the arbitrariness of depraved people. Offenses occurred not because He foretold them, but rather He foretold them because they were going to occur. For if offenses occurred out of necessity and not according to the will of those who caused them, then in vain would He have said, “Woe to that man by whom the offense cometh.”
“That the Apostle actually called disturbances and divisions during meals ‘heresies’ we see clearly expressed by him in the previous sentence. For he said, “I hear that there be divisions among you.” He did not stop here however. Desiring to explain what divisions he is referring to, he then says, “For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper” (1 Cor. 11:21). It is evident that he is speaking of these disturbances; but do not be surprised that he calls them divisions (schisms). As I said, he desired to have a greater effect on them by using such an expression. If he had meant dogmatical heresies he would not have spoken to them so briefly” (Saint John Chrysostom, Commentary on the first epistle to the Corinthians).
As we see, St Theophan explains the words of the Apostle Paul with the words of the great universal teacher and hierarch, Saint John Chrysostom, and therefore the explanation is especially authoritative for us. From this it is clear that it is in vain that the modernist ecumenists use these words of the Apostle Paul for their own ecumenical purposes. These words of the Apostle Paul refer to particular incidents and disturbances during the agape meals, about which he speaks in the eleventh chapter of this epistle. Therefore there is decidedly no basis for using this saying of the Apostle Paul to justify disagreement concerning dogmas, and especially for justifying union of all Orthodox and non-Orthodox in the Mystery of the Eucharist in the presence of obvious differences of opinion, which preclude, according to the clear teaching of the Holy Church, the allowance and possibility of such a union.
This is one of the most characteristic examples of how deceitfully just like sectarians, the contemporary modernist theologians use the texts of the Holy Scriptures, attributing to them a meaning which is not there.
And the Apostle Paul could not contradict himself, saying one thing in one circumstance and something else in another. As we saw above, he clearly and unequivocally condemns differences of opinion among Christians and calls all to absolute oneness of mind and soul. “Fulfill ye my joy,” he writes to the Philippians, “that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philip. 2:2).
Such should be the case then among all true Christians, for: “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephes. 4: 4-6).
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