1 Corinthians 3
Babes in Christ.
1 CORINTHIANS
CHAPTER III
“2 Milke is fit for children. 3 Strife and diuision, arguments of a fleshly minde. 7 Hee that planteth, and hee that watereth, is nothing. 9 The ministers are Gods fellowe workemen. 11 Christ the only foundation. 16 Men the temples of God, which 17 must bee kept holy. 19 The wisedome of this world is foolishnesse with God.”
The Translators
OVERVIEW
Paul speaks to the Corinthian church as babes in Christ. He has fed them with milk and not meat; for they are carnal, caught up in envying, strife and division. They have divided themselves into cliques, identifying with one teacher or another, not so much with Christ.
All believers are laborers in the field, some planting and some watering, but we belong to God and build upon the foundation who is Jesus Christ. Each man’s works will be judged and he will be rewarded accordingly.
Your body is the Temple of God. Do not defile it, or God will destroy you.
If you think you are wise in the ways of the world, you are deceived. Become a fool that you might be wise. God knows the thoughts of the wise and they are vain. Glory not in men; for you are Christ’s and Christ is God’s.
V. 1
“1 And I, brethren, could not speake vnto you as vnto spirituall, but as vnto carnall, euen as vnto babes in Christ.”
Paul’s tone is different than it was at the beginning of chapter one. Although he thanked God for the Corinthian church, he addressed a number of issues they needed to correct. However, at this point he’s more direct, stating that he regards them as carnal believers, not capable of digesting the deeper spiritual truths of the Gospel. He regards then as carnal, like babies in Christ. He appears to not doubt their salvation, but he takes issue with their conduct.
V.2
“2 I haue fed you with milke, and not with meate: hitherto yee were not able to beare it, neither yet now are ye able.”
He suggest that he has not yet taught them the harder things of doctrine, but fed them on the basics, as they were not spiritually mature, nor are they at present. He does not explain what he means by “meat,” yet, we might surmise that he speaks of things beyond faith in Christ for salvation. These would be doctrines that challenge us on a deep personal level and force us to evaluate our spiritual condition and how that is demonstrated in our conduct. The deep things demand that we submit to the Holy Ghost and change according to his will. This is unlike the doctrine of salvation by faith, that invites sinners to put their faith in Christ and be saved. This initially exposes believers to the unmerited love of God, while the work of salvation is yet to come; that being transformation and conformation, which speaks of mind and actions. Paul wrote to the Romans, “And bee not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renuing of your minde, that ye may proue what is the good, that acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
Though salvation is not by works, upon receiving Christ, there is work to do. Paul wrote of this to the Philippians, “…worke out your own saluation with feare, and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12) It appears that the church at Corinth was not able to bear these doctrines, and Paul had fed them primarily doctrines easy to digest, perhaps anticipating certain godly changes in their deportment. Having not seen that, he proceeds to address specific issues.
V. 3
“3 For ye are yet carnall: for whereas there is among you enuying, and strife, and diuisions, are ye not carnall, and walke as men?
Envying and strife, for example, are works of the carnal man, they are not works of the spirit; they demonstrate a condition of the heart weak in the love of God. This type of carnality is common among the unsaved and should not be present among those who truly believe. Invariably they cause division. Paul question that they are walking “as men,” meaning, unsaved, unregenerate persons. He wrote to the Romans that they were to walk in the newness of life (Romans 6:4); meaning that the “old man” is put away and we are born again in Christ, thereby we submit to the will of God, and walk in a manner pleasing to God.
V. 4
“4 For one saieth, I am of Paul, and another, I am Apollo, are ye not carnall?”
This disturbs Paul because are becoming followers of men and not so much Christ. Through envy and strife they have separated themselves into camps. Surely, this is contrary to the gospel of both Paul and Apollo; yet, somehow certain persons in the Corinthian church had twisted their teaching into two separate gospels, and identify with one or the other.
V.5
“5 Who then is Paul? And who is Apollo? But ministers by whom ye beleeued, euen as the Lord gaue to euery man.”
These are rhetorical questions. Paul and Apollo are nothing but messengers and servants of God in Christ. Their gospel is not of their own private or personal making, but the Gospel of Christ and him alone. It is one Gospel and one faith. Yet, some in the Corinthian church appear to value one man’s gospel over another. He reminds them that he and Apollo are minsters that brought the Gospel of Christ to Corinth; and that many believed as the Spirit of God moved upon their hearts through the foolishness of preaching. It is God who brought the increase, not any man.
V. 6
“6 I haue planted, Apollo watered: but God gaue the encrease.”
Paul makes the matter plain, explaining that he sowed the seeds of the Gospel, and Apollo watered them; that they might grow into a body of believers. Yet, it is God who gave the increase; for he is the author of salvation and transformation; no man is capable of this.
V. 7
“7 So then, neither is he that planteth any thing, neither hee that watereth: but God that giueth the increase.”
Thus, as workers in the vineyard of God, we plant and water, but as with the very plants of the earth, God provides the increase. We the workers are nothing but servants of the Most High; like the angel in Revelation said, “…I am your fellow servant…Worship God…” (Revelation 19:10) Thus, all in the vineyard, angels included, are servants of God; and, no servant should be elevated above others, nor should he elevate others in he body, but all serve the Lord God Almighty, and all are sustained by him and him alone.
V. 8
“8 Now hee that planteth, and hee that watereth, are one: and euery man shal receiue his own reward according to his owne labour.”
Though the planter and waterer are one in service of Christ, each labors to different degrees, and God will reward each worker according to their labors. Thus, the man who does little in the vineyard will receive little; conversely, the man who does much will have great reward. Yet, all receive salvation for enduring in the faith to the end (Matthew 10:22).
V. 9
“9 For wee are labourers together with God, ye are Gods husbandry, yee are Gods building.”
Believers are like farmers cultivating and tending crops. We labor together with God; we plant, water and cultivate, while God ensures the growth and harvest. Similarly, we are like a building God is erecting; Christ is the rock and foundation; the building is comprised of various parts, all contributing to the shape and strength of the final edifice. This is also referred to as the body of Christ. All parts are necessary and important, but not of equal importance.
V. 10
“10 According to the grace of God which is giuen vnto mee, as a wise master builder I haue laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let euery man take heede how hee buildeth thereupon.”
The foundation that Paul lays is Christ crucified. There is no more solid foundation upon which to build. Others in the body of Christ build the structure; thus, Paul cautions that one builds according to the will of God, being sure that no rotten or unsuitable materials are incorporated into the building. This speaks of maintaining purity of doctrine and conduct. A spiritual building not built on these principles will crumble and fall; for it cannot stand the test of time. And, though the building falls, the rock and foundation remain; for Christ is immovable and endures forever. So, Paul admonishes believers to build a house worthy of the foundation; that there be no corruption in house of God (not speaking of a physical structure, but one spiritual).
V. 11
“For other foundation can no man lay, then that is laide, which is Iesus Christ.”
Christ crucified is the only foundation that will not fail. Any foundation presumed and laid by man, will not last. Jesus said that a house built upon a rock will weather the storms of life and will not fall; while, that which is built upon shifting sands will collapse in the face of adversity (Matthew 7:24-25). The foundation Paul refers to is the rock, who is Jesus Christ. All other foundations are shifting sands, built on the wisdom of man.
Vs. 12 - 13
“12 Now if any man build vpon this foundation, gold, siluer, preciousstones, wood, hay, stubble: 13 Euery mans worke shall be made manifest. For the day shall declare it, because it shall be reuealed by fire, and the fire shall trie euery mans worke of what sort it is.”
A house built on a foundation of things man regards of high esteem and things of low esteem, will be exposed. It will be passed though the fire of God’s truth and his judgment, and it will become evident of what sort of works the building is comprised of. A foundation built on Christ Jesus will be revealed as such, and one built on man’s values will also be revealed. All will know that which is of man and that which is of God.
V. 14
“14 If any mans worke abide which he hath built thereupon, he shal receiue a reward.”
Paul speaks primarily work done presumably in the service of the Lord. If such works are proved by God for the glory of God, they shall remain; however, if they are works of the flesh, they will be burned up. Works that abide are built on the correct foundation, which is Jesus Christ and they are done for the glory of God. The man who works selflessly in the service of God will be rewarded according to his works.
V. 15
“15 If any mans worke shall bee burnt, he shall suffer losse: but he himselfe shall be saued: yet so, as by fire.”
A man may be saved, but his works, if not done for the glory of God, will be burned with fire and he will loose out on heavenly rewards; yet, he will be saved.
V. 16
“16 Knowe yee not that yee are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
Paul makes this statement a number of times in his epistles (1 Corinthians 6:19 & 2 Corinthians 6:16). Also, Jesus referred to his body as the temple (Matthew 27:40). Because Christ is the temple and we who believe are in Christ, we too are considered the temple. Together believers make up the body of Christ, in which the Spirit of God dwells. It is a temple made without hands, but by the Spirit. Acts states, “God that made the world, and all things therein, seeing that hee is Lord of heauen and earth, dwelleth not in Temples made with hands.” (Acts 17:24) Because of this, when we sin or do things that are not for the glory of God, we defile the Temple. Upon being born again, we no longer live for self, but in the service of the Spirit of God, who lives in us and directs us in all truth.
V. 17
“17 If any man defile the Temple of God, him shall God destroy: for the Temple of God is holy, which Temple ye are.”
Paul suggests that a saved person (all are part of the Temple) may defile the Temple, implying a falling away (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Thus, a man saved can reject that which he first believed and practice things that defile the body of Christ, which is the Temple. Such a man “shall God destroy.” This same person whose name was at one time entered into the book of life, is now blotted out of the book of life; and, as scripture declares: anyone whose name is not found in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire. (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5, 13:8, 17:8; 20:12, 20:15 & 21:27)
V. 18
“18 Let no man deceiue himselfe: If any man among you seemeth to bee wise in this world, let him become a foole, that he may be wise.”
Some in the churches have deceived themselves into thinking they are born again and heaven bound when they are not. They go through all the motions and speak the language of the church, but their hearts are far from God (Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 15:8 & Mark 7:6). This type of person is wise in their own conceits (Romans 11:25), doing good works by carnal wisdom thinking they serve God. Lest we are found to be likewise, Paul said, “Examine your selues, whether ye be in the faith…” (2 Corinthians 13:5). If we discover we have deceived ourself through vain wisdom of the world, we would do well to become fools that true wisdom might come. By this, Paul means we should come to the understanding that we know nothing; we are ignorant regarding spiritual matters, and need to humble ourselves before God and the brethren. This would be the beginning of wisdom.
V. 19
“19 For the wisedome of this world is foolishnesse with God: for it is written, Hee taketh the wise in their owne craftinesse.”
The world prides itself in knowing many scholarly things: science, art, music, history, literature, religion, philosophy and economics, for example. Yet God says that compared the wisdom of God, this type of wisdom is foolishness; that fear of the Lord and knowledge of salvation are superior in wisdom; for, they are unto things eternal; while things of the world are temporal and will pass away. Still, a world stubborn and prideful in its foolishness creates so many twists and turns of intellect that it eventually traps itself in its own cleverness. Thus, Paul quotes Job, saying that God “…taketh the wise in their owne craftinesse.” (Job 5:13)
V. 20
“20 And againe, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vaine.”
Paul echoes the words of King Solomon, “…all is vanitie.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2) God knows all the thoughts of the wise men of the world, and he has found their thoughts vanity. Though a man might be wise in all things of the world, he knows nothing compared to God; by his thoughts he cannot create worlds from nothing; his thoughts cannot discover the deep things of God; think and calculate as he does, he cannot know eternity; and, ponder endlessly, he cannot know God’s salvation in Christ; for, no man of his own carnal wisdom comprehends or apprehends salvation in the person of Christ. The deep things of God are revealed by God; man cannot reach God by building intellectual towers or towers of any sort (Genesis 11:3-9). These are vain efforts and will mount to nothing in the eternal scheme of things.
V. 21
“21 Therefore let no man glory in men, for all things are yours.”
Paul refers back to those in the Corinthian church that were elevating he, Apollo and Cephas, and setting them against each other for preeminence in faith and instruction. They were taking the glory from Christ and giving it to mere men like themselves. Paul encourages the church to not do this; rather, to know that all things of the wisdom of God belong to all who are born again and led by the Holy Ghost. Peter wrote that believers are a “royal priesthood,” implying spiritual equality under Christ, our High Priest (Hebrews 3:1); that no man should be glorified among believers; but all should glorify Christ.
V. 22
“22 Whether Paul, or Apollo, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours.”
All things are given to the Saints, whether they be prophets and teachers, or aspects of life, or inanimate items, or things past, present or future. In Christ, believers co-inherit all things for the glory of God. Though gifts may vary from believer to believer, all in Christ possess all things equally, for all is for edification and building the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12). We are many members, but one body.
V. 23
“23 And yee are Christs, and Christ is Gods.”
Thus, Paul concludes the chapter, reducing his thesis to a single sentence declaring that all who believe are Christs, great and small, rich and poor and strong and weak etc. Because Christ belongs to God, and we belong to Christ, all is God’s and for his glory.