Wisdom Is Adorned with the Like-Mindedness and Concord of Brethren
“Wisdom praises herself, and tells of her glory in the midst of her people. In the assembly of the Most High she opens her mouth, and in the presence of his hosts she tells of her glory: ‘I came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and covered the earth like a mist <…>’” (Sir. 24:1-3)
“In three things I was adorned and stood beautiful before the Lord and men: concord of brethren, friendship of neighbors, and a wife and husband who agree with each other” (Sir. 25:1, LXX; translated from the Greek: Ἐν τρισὶν ὡραίσθην καὶ ἀνέστην ὡραία ἔναντι κυρίου καὶ ἀνθρώπων· ὁμόνοια ἀδελφῶν…). In the Greek text it is Wisdom that continues to speak of herself; the NRSV renders this verse as “I take pleasure in three things” (Sir. 25:1).
Prayer That the Church Be Granted Unity and Like-Mindedness
“that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one” (John. 17:21-22)
“Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus” (Rom. 15:5)
The Commandment to Be Like-Minded
Gifts from God are not given to a person against his will. For example, love is a gift of God (1 John. 4:7-8; Gal. 5:22-23; Rom. 5:5); nevertheless, it is not forced upon a person, and having come, it does not remain in him against his will. Every person must labor to acquire love (1 Cor. 13:1-2,13; Col. 3:14) and incline his will to deeds of love (John. 13:34; John. 15:12; John. 15:17; 1 Pet. 1:22), and God responds to these efforts by giving and preserving the gift (Prov. 21:31).
Like-mindedness is also from God, for Christ and the apostles prayed to God for it (John. 17:21-22; Rom. 15:5). Although the gift of love and like-mindedness has been given to the Church by the Holy Spirit, everyone in the Church must acquire and preserve this gift by labor. Each believer individually is able to sin both against love and against like-mindedness. Therefore each one is called to keep love and like-mindedness:
“Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion” (Rom. 12:16)
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10)
“Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Cor. 13:11)
“fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Phil. 2:2)
“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous” (1 Pet. 3:8)
Objections
There Must Be Factions Among You
“For there must also be factions (αἱρέσεις) among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you” (1 Cor. 11:19)
In the original, instead of the word “factions” there stands the word “heresies” (Greek αἱρέσεις), that is: there must be heresies among you. This is simply a prophecy about the rise of heresies. Whoever breeds heresies, according to the word of the apostle, will not inherit the Kingdom of God:
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: <…> heresies <…>; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21)