The thought which keeps coming back to me is that when a person or group keeps up a "I am of (1:12, 3:4) some famous or well-known preacher of reputation he or they are indicating traits of carnality or are "walking as men." This essentially means, that is as lost folks do, to live in the shadow of a hero. To declare oneself "of" another could almost mean (perhaps it does) that their profession is out of that person in whom they honor thus.
Now, if this thought is followed through to chapter 3:10-11 and following, it seems strongly enough to me that the Lord is admonishing these folks who are still "walking" as lost people, that such who are "of" these preachers of reputation, borders on blasphemy of the Lord. The context seems to strongly indicate that the 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. declares such carnality to be a form of holding the preacher (whoever they might be) above or in a position which is only for Jesus Christ. We read in Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Could it be that this issue shown to us here in I Corinthians 1:12 and 3:4 is proof evidence of walking as men (lost) while only truly being baby converts as best in actions, perhaps even borders on false salvation in some?
Because we also read in Jude 4 that some are "crept in unawares" (v.4) who are not saved who feast with you, feeding themselves without fear:" and apparently feeding on the same as what is being fed the flock or church. My, my, what is being fed in a church if the lost can feed (without fear of God) of the same. It must be very carnal, it must be the same as the lost are use to eating. Again the thought comes out of I Corinthians 3:1-3. Paul could not feed adult doctrine but instead fed them "near" natural man food because they were feasting on "men" (3:4,1:12) not on Christ (3:11).
I read again in chapter 1:13 and see the question of loyalty and devotion - it was not to be toward these preachers whose names were out front. But on Jesus Christ. It is not the Lord's will for us to be crying I am of a man, movement, school, conference, youth conference, youth camp, evangelist, Christian newspaper following, Christian author's group, etc. Nor is it the Lord's will for us to cry toward a man, movement, college, camp, author, etc. for our salvation (I Cor. 1:13 was such crucified for us?), or baptism (I Cor. 1:13 was such toward whom we were baptized?). Today's fundamentalism is filled with such carnality of flesh. But the "foundation" under our salvation and baptism is Jesus Christ and His church which He established while on earth. Eph. 2:20 Apostle, prophets and Jesus Christ make up the only true foundation for the church which is fulfilled in the sound local churches. Let's make sure we preach and teach and rest solidly on this true foundation and not on men, movements or their movements. Ephesians 3:21 Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages world without end. Amen.