Chloe

Biblical Record

Chloe appears only once, in 1 Corinthians 1:11. Paul wrote that it had been declared unto him "by them which are of the house of Chloe" that there were contentions among the Corinthian believers. In the following verse, 1:12, he describes the nature of the dispute: the believers were dividing into factions, each saying, "I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ." Scripture says nothing further about Chloe's life, faith, or place of residence.

Significance in Scripture

Chloe's name is linked to one of the circumstances that prompted the writing of 1 Corinthians. Paul is generally thought to have written the letter from Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:8), and the report brought by those of Chloe's household serves as the starting point for chapters 1–4, which address the problem of division in the church at Corinth. Because the Greek name Chloe is feminine, she is counted among the women of the early church whom Paul mentions by name.

Interpretation and Points of Discussion

• The meaning of "the house of Chloe": The original text literally reads "those of Chloe." The passage does not specify whether these were members of Chloe's family, members of her household such as slaves or freedmen, or people connected with her business affairs. Interpreters differ on this point.
• Chloe's faith and residence: Nor does the text state whether Chloe was a Christian, or whether she lived in Corinth or in Ephesus. It can only be surmised that members of her household traveled between Corinth and Ephesus.
• Relationship to other figures: 1 Corinthians 16:17 mentions Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, who came to Paul. The text provides no basis for concluding that they belonged to the same group as those of Chloe's household, so the two groups are usually distinguished.

In the Korean Church

Chloe is not treated as a figure in her own right in Sunday school lesson materials or in hymns and worship songs. She is mentioned chiefly in sermons and Bible studies on church unity and division based on 1 Corinthians 1, as the source through which Paul received his report.