Paul D. Gardner: Chloe’s people

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My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 1 Corinthians 1:11

“In 1 Corinthians the listing of names such as “Chloe’s people,” Fortunatus, Achaicus, and Stephanas, may also indicate wealthier Christian business people with wide-ranging business interests… The news that has been delivered to Paul is serious and is the immediate cause of the letter, but Paul still speaks to them as his Christian family. Notice the insertion on this occasion of my brothers [and sisters]. The news Paul has received can be trusted because it has been delivered by people he and, presumably, the Corinthians knew. Though there is nothing in the text to give us any information about “Chloe’s people” by whom the news was delivered to Paul, it is reasonable to assume that Chloe was known in the church and probably a businesswoman based either in Ephesus or Corinth, whose emissaries traveled for her on business and were trusted by Paul. They may have been her slaves or employees. Nothing more is known of Chloe.”

Paul D. Gardner in 1 Corinthians (ZECNT; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018) 26, 79.

The fourth in a series of ten less prominent New Testament characters which exhibit generosity is Chloe. From this limited information we know that her communication would become the occasion for the letter we know as 1 Corinthians. Her people delivered word of the various dynamics in play in Corinth. In plain terms, she felt Paul needed to know what was going on.

What can we draw from this for modern application? Chloe cared, but did not stop there. She communicated through the network she could mobilize that things were not right. Issues needed to be addressed. It’s easy to be silent in a world filled with troubles. We can be tempted to think, “What difference will my efforts make?” Not Chloe.

She cared and communicated. What about you? What around you is not right? Is it time to marshal the resources in your stewardship to make a difference? I write this not because of what I want from you, but because of what I want for you. As part of God’s story, your role might be to care and communicate, and in so doing, help many align their lives with Christ.