Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

John 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Philemon 6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

There is one thing which is elementary to these verses. In this I mean one thing has all these verses in common. I suspect you already know what that one word. It is fellowship.

Hebrews 10:22-25 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Do you see that day approaching? Even if you do not, the benefits of fellowship, its design, intent and effectual workings need attention. It is you who believe that are called to fellowship and everything that entails.

Fellowship is where love and grace embrace.

1 Corinthians 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

1 Corinthians 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.

Was the house of Chloe the source of the common report in 5:1? It does not say that. Paul names Chloe in the more urgent problem, division. He does not name the source in the second issue. Upon receiving this letter and having it read aloud within the church at Corinth, who would most like want to label Chloe as the snitch? My guess would be the fornicators. Being called out in sin seems to want to identify and be defensive towards ones accuser.

In reality Paul is calling out everyone who knows about this sin and have allowed it to continue in their midst. Group think does not look to point fingers at accusers, they give no thought as to how the information got out. They will redirect their displeasure at the fornicators. To quote Macbeth, “Out damn spot.”

At what point does Paul address the real problem in Corinth that is the root of the problem?

2 Corinthians 2:6-8 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.

Of all the things Paul wrote in his first epistle to Corinth, perhaps the most important was how love works. (1 Corinthians 13) Paul was looking for confirmation that the love that was placed in their hearts by faith was changing lives, attitudes and behaviors.

Philippians 1:5, 2:13 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.