Femme Friday Chloe

 

It was a busy Greek town. They had a lot of different groups living together in one place. There were, of course, Greeks but there were also Jews, gypsies and a new breed of proselyte. These people called themselves followers of The Way. Chloe was a free woman, but that didn't mean much in a society run by men. 

Chloe became a believer of Jesus. She was a part of the early church in Corinth. Chloe is mentioned just one time in the book of 1 Corinthians. It's not just a mention in passing or greeting. Chloe is credited with calling out the contentions that were in the Corinthian church. First Corinthians 1:11 says, "For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you” Chloe was no quiet church mouse. She was a woman of bravery who stood up and said when things were not right. Chloe called out the injustices of her day. 

In a time of history when women didn't get to vote or choose much at all, Chloe stood up and said enough was enough. She cared more about when Christ wanted than what the leaders in her local church said. Chloe bravely spoke out to Paul and let him know that there were seeds of discontent among the followers of The Way. The church was arguing over who the right earthly teacher was to follow. Instead, they needed to be focused on the true gospel of Jesus Christ. This is what was important enough for Chloe to call out. Because the congregation was so focused on earthly messengers, Chloe knew that her brothers and sisters in the faith were missing the point of the Cross.  Missing out on the glorious freedom it offered. 

Chloe shows us that it is important to speak out. When we see injustices within the church. When we are witness to divisions among believers let us also be brave enough to talk to our leaders. We can not hope that someone else will do it. We are the ones called to do the work Christ has for us. Let us do everything in our power to maintain the unity of the saints.