Topical Encyclopedia
Chloe is a figure mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Apostle Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians. Her name appears in
1 Corinthians 1:11, where Paul writes, "My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you" . This brief mention provides insight into the early Christian community and the role of Chloe's household in the life of the Corinthian church.
Historical and Cultural ContextChloe is a Greek name, meaning "green shoot" or "blooming," which was a common name in the Greco-Roman world. The name itself suggests a connection to life and growth, which may metaphorically reflect the burgeoning Christian community in Corinth. The city of Corinth was a major urban center in ancient Greece, known for its commerce, diverse population, and moral challenges. The early church in Corinth faced numerous issues, including divisions, immorality, and doctrinal confusion, which Paul addresses in his letter.
Chloe's HouseholdThe reference to "Chloe’s household" indicates that Chloe was likely a person of some standing and influence within the Corinthian church. The term "household" (Greek: οἰκία) can refer to family members, servants, or even a broader community associated with a particular household. It is possible that Chloe was a Christian woman of means, whose household included believers who were active in the church.
The fact that members of her household reported the divisions to Paul suggests that Chloe's household was deeply involved in the life of the church and concerned about its well-being. This involvement highlights the important role that women and their households played in the early Christian communities, often serving as centers for worship, teaching, and fellowship.
Theological SignificanceChloe's mention in 1 Corinthians underscores the interconnectedness of the early Christian communities and the importance of communication and accountability among believers. The divisions reported by Chloe's household prompted Paul to address issues of unity and spiritual maturity within the Corinthian church. In
1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul urges the believers, "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction" .
Chloe's household serves as a reminder of the vital role that laypeople played in the early church. Their initiative in reaching out to Paul reflects a commitment to the health and unity of the body of Christ. This example encourages modern believers to actively participate in their faith communities, addressing issues with love and seeking guidance from spiritual leaders.
ConclusionWhile Chloe herself is not described in detail, her household's involvement in the Corinthian church provides a glimpse into the dynamics of early Christian life. Chloe's mention in Paul's letter highlights the significance of community, communication, and the shared responsibility of all believers to maintain the unity and purity of the church.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Chloegreen herb
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Chloe(green herb), a woman mentioned in (1 Corinthians 1:11)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Verdure, a female Christian (
1 Corinthians 1:11), some of whose household had informed Paul of the divided state of the Corinthian church. Nothing is known of her.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CHLOEklo'-e (Chloe, "a tender shoot"): A woman, presumably a Christian, mentioned only in1 Corinthians 1:11. She was a resident either of Corinth or of Ephesus. Paul had been informed by some of her household, probably Christian slaves, of the dissensions in the church at Corinth. Nothing more is known of her.
Greek
5514.Chloe a prim. word --Chloe.Chloe a prim. word. 5513, 5514.
Chloe a prim. word. 5515 .
Chloe. Part
of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
Chloe a prim.
...5515. chloros -- pale green, pale
... Word Origin akin toChloe (in its ordinary usage) Definition pale green, pale NASB
Word Usage ashen (1), green (2), green thing (1).... see GREEKChloe....
5521. chole -- gall (a bitter herb)
... Feminine of an equivalent perhaps akin to the same asChloe (from the greenish hue);
"gall" or bile, ie (by analogy) poison or an anodyne (wormwood, poppy, etc...
Library
1 Cor. xi. 17
... said in the beginning of the Epistle, "For it hath been signified unto me concerning
you, my brethren, by them which are of the household ofChloe, that there...
A Message of Warning and Entreaty
... purposes. About this time there came to Ephesus members of the household
ofChloe, a Christian family of high repute in Corinth....
We Hear Much of the Human Error which Accepts what is Sham and...
... Yet I think those old cavalier poets who wrote about the coldness ofChloe had hold
of a psychological truth missed in nearly all the realistic novels of today...
The First Epistle to the Corinthians
... apostle treats of these matters in a very orderly way, first taking up the accusations
contained in the report of those from the household ofChloe, and then...
1 Cor. I. 10
... Ver.11. "For it hath been signified unto me concerning you, my brethren, by them
which are of the household ofChloe." Neither did he say this at the very...
1 Cor. v. 1, 2
... in accusation, saying thus, (c.1. xi.) "For it hath been signified unto me concerning
you, my brethren, by them which are of the household ofChloe, that there...
Juventus Mundi
... He a Daphnis, she aChloe, Only they were brown, not snowy, Till an Arab found them
playing Far beyond the Atlas straying, Tied the helpless things together...
Paul Writes to his Friends in Corinth
... purpose. For I have been told, brothers, by the members ofChloe's household,
that there are quarrels among you. Avoid all impurity!...
The Old Faiths and the New
... It was the reporting of these matters to Paul by those "of the house ofChloe"
(1:Cor.1:11) that led him to write in the way in which he did....
The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
... Some members ofChloe's household told him of the development of factions there;
and a letter was sent, perhaps {136} by the hands of Stephanas, Fortunatus...
Thesaurus
Chloe (1 Occurrence)... Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
CHLOE. klo'-e (
Chloe, "a tender shoot"): A woman,
presumably a Christian, mentioned only in 1 Corinthians 1:11.
...Chloe (1 Occurrence)
...Chloe's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceChloe's (1 Occurrence). 1 Corinthians 1:11 For
it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers, by...
Chlo'e's (1 Occurrence)
Chlo'e's.Chloe's, Chlo'e's. Choba . Multi-Version Concordance Chlo'e's
(1 Occurrence)....Chloe's, Chlo'e's. Choba . Reference Bible.
Chiun (1 Occurrence)
Quarrels (10 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 1:11 For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers, by
those who are fromChloe's household, that there are contentions among you....
Quarreling (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 1:11 For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers, by
those who are fromChloe's household, that there are contentions among you....
Informed (39 Occurrences)
... (DBY). 1 Corinthians 1:11 For I have been distinctly informed, my brethren, about
you byChloe's people, that there are dissensions among you. (WEY NAS NIV)....
Divisions (92 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 1:11 Because it has come to my knowledge, through those of the house
ofChloe, that there are divisions among you, my brothers. (BBE)....
Dissensions (5 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Corinthians 1:11 For I have been distinctly informed, my brethren,
about you byChloe's people, that there are dissensions among you. (WEY)....
Distinctly (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 1:11 For I have been distinctly informed, my brethren, about you
byChloe's people, that there are dissensions among you. (WEY)....
Resources
Who was Chloe in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgNew Testament Individuals ' Article Index | GotQuestions.orgQuestions about People in the Bible (All) | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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