1 Corinthians 1:10 English Standard Version (ESV) I appeal to you, brothers,[and sisters] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

It is obvious that we are to judge rightly but we will find a variety of text on the subject that might render confusion if not viewed in context correctly.

Before we move on to any other text and context let us examine the positive aspect of judgment spoken of here in 1 Corinthians 1.

During our bible studies we should acknowledge that every believer in the study has the spirit of truth speaking to each of us. We must also find a measure of grace in our conversations to acknowledge that the Holy Spirit brings to each person what is needed for individual growth and level of maturity. Babes in Christ need to grow as the Spirit feeds them and not be force fed strong meat. The bible is clear on that subject.

The only way a broad spectrum of maturity in a group can come to unity in the same mind is to find that unity in Christ who is loving and kind and asks us to suffer little children. We must be considerate of the maturity of some and remember that discipleship is a loving ministry and not one of superior intellect.

1 Corinthians 8:11-12 English Standard Version

11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers[and sisters] and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

We have nothing to prove in our studies together except perhaps that Christ is in our midst and that we acknowledge His right to form the consensus for the group as a body and not what has been done in us as individuals.

Judgment here is rendering the truth in the moment that is good for everyone’s sake.

The Bible is one complete Book consisting of Old and New Testaments. In other words, there is direct continuity of Divine revelation and authority running right through all sixty-six books of the Bible. No one part contradicts another part, and if one part were to be missing there would be an obvious gap in the whole Book. There is not the slightest hint in the Bible that the earlier revelations were to be contradicted or cancelled by the New Testament. The casual reader might possibly find apparent contradictions. Serious study however makes it clear that the later parts of the Bible are not contradictory but complementary. They are given as a further development of the earlier revelation in order to give a wider understanding of an important subject. (BIBLE.ORG)

If we cannot believe this statement we will not find familiarity and continuity in our studies of God’s Word, Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:10 English Standard Version (ESV) I appeal to you, brothers,[and sisters] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

A cautionary rule is to keep bible studies pure. Do not invite non-believers to join in our studies of God’s Word. Bible study is not the forum for evangelism. Keep those efforts separated for the sake of finding agreement in the spirit.

Another familiarity issue is to be found in the use of one primary bible version to be used. It is fine to seek understanding from other versions but for the sake of unity, one version should be used by everyone in our common study.

Private studies may result in different versions. When the older generation first came to Christ it may be that the KJV was the version in which we began to memorize scripture. When the Holy Spirit reminds us of a relevant scripture in the version we memorized, we can use those verses to compare it to other versions. Caution: too many versions can lead to confusion and God is not the author of confusion. Try to keep it to a few reliable versions.