1 Corinthians 3

1. Background

Paul has been elaborating on the wisdom of the world vs the wisdom of God.  The world rejects God’s wisdom as “foolishness”, while those who believe God received understanding by the work of the Holy Ghost, (2:10).  Those without the Holy Ghost working in them will not see the wisdom in God’s working.

With this principle in mind, Paul returns to rebuke the Corinthians for their “carnal” behavior, v3. Their carnality is apparent in their envying, strife, and divisions.

Paul elaborates on the substance of their divisions, some have grouped themselves under certain men’s teaching, pitting them amongst each other, thereby causing divisions in the church body.  Paul admonishes them that these teachers are laboring together, not against one another.  This also served as a warning to teachers to bear this in mind as they taught, v10, “Take heed how he buildeth thereupon…”

Paul explains teachers and others who contribute to the church will be tried in a judgment for Christians to reveal the value of their work.  The value that is uncovered will determine the reward of their service, v13-14.  However those who are in the church to serve malicious purposes will be destroyed, v17.

2. What do we observe about God?

God desires His people to spiritually mature. The rhetorical question reveals the answer, “Are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (v3) We out to have the mind of Christ (2:16) such as Paul has already described and not continue in the carnal mind of the flesh the Lord delivered us from. The matter of sin is deeper than skin and mere actions but is dealt with in the mind.  It is apparent that God intends for our minds to grow up in Christ, just as a child grows physically.  It isn’t wrong for a child to be a child, but something is wrong if the Christian of many years always remains a spiritual baby.  Those who have grown up in the Lord know better than to partake in the divisions like Paul is correcting, v9 cf v17.

The Lord’s omniscience is reiterated in v20, thus He is worthy to judge the secrets of men.

3. How does this passage point us to Christ?

The foundation of our life in God is upon Jesus Christ, v11.  His work on Calvary avails the believer to know God personally and continue in His presence.  Faith in the Lord Jesus transforms us into the temple of God, where His Spirit lives in believers, v17.  Belief on Christ is the door of access to God but also the source of our growth and maturity as we continue to look to Him and calibrate our mind with His.

4. Application:

As a teacher and preacher, I can be mindful of my words that they would not cause unnecessary divisions. Even though something might be said in truth, not everything needs to be dealt with swift blows.  The Lord practiced patience with His men as they continue with Him and dealt with their lacking traits when teachable opportunities presented themselves.  But if I must divide, it must be upon the foundation that has already been laid in Jesus Christ, and not my own hobby horse or opinion.