1 Corinthians 3

In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul addresses the issue of division within the church at Corinth, criticizing their spiritual immaturity and emphasizing the foundational role of Christ in the church. He challenges the Corinthians' factionalism, rooted in their allegiance to different leaders, and underscores that all ministers are mere servants through whom God works, and that God alone gives growth. This chapter highlights the unity and collective purpose of the church, and the rewards that come from building upon the correct foundation—Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (NKJV) And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

Paul criticizes the Corinthians for their spiritual immaturity, which has hindered their ability to understand deeper spiritual truths. He compares them to infants in Christ who can only digest basic teachings (milk), not the more profound doctrine (solid food). Their jealousy, arguments, and divisions are evidence of their carnality, revealing they are acting like non-believers rather than guided by the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:4-5 (NKJV) For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?

The division within the church stems from members aligning themselves with different leaders, like Paul or Apollos, which Paul criticizes as a sign of carnality. He reminds them that both he and Apollos are merely servants through whom God has worked. Their belief was facilitated by these leaders, but the leaders are not the focus—God who empowers their work is.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (NKJV) I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

Paul uses the metaphor of planting and watering to explain the roles of different church leaders. He planted the church in Corinth, and Apollos nurtured it, but it is God who causes the growth. This emphasizes that no individual leader should be glorified for the work; rather, all glory belongs to God, who alone has the power to make things grow.

1 Corinthians 3:8 (NKJV) Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

Here, Paul stresses unity among the church's workers, stating that both he who plants (Paul) and he who waters (Apollos) work towards the same purpose and are fundamentally united in their mission. They will be rewarded by God not based on their roles but based on the effort and faithfulness they have shown in their work.

1 Corinthians 3:9 (NKJV) For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

Paul elevates the concept of their ministry by calling them "fellow workers" with God, showing the divine partnership in the gospel mission. The church, referred to as both a field and a building, is seen as a place of growth and construction, emphasizing the ongoing work God is doing in and through them.

1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (NKJV) According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Paul describes his role as a "wise master builder" who has laid the foundational teachings of Christianity in Corinth, emphasizing that this foundation is Jesus Christ. He warns others to be careful about how they build upon this foundation, reinforcing the necessity of aligning all teachings and practices with the truth of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (NKJV) Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Paul continues the building metaphor by discussing the quality of materials used in building upon the foundation of Christ—gold, silver, and precious stones representing durable, valuable teachings and practices, while wood, hay, and straw represent weak, inferior ones. He introduces the concept of the "Day" (Judgment Day) when each person’s work will be tested by fire. Those whose work endures will be rewarded, and those whose work is destroyed will suffer loss but still be saved.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NKJV) Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

In this passage, Paul is addressing the Corinthian church and emphasizing their identity as God's temple. He uses the metaphor of the temple to describe the community of believers. In the Old Testament, the temple was the sacred place where God’s presence dwelt, and now Paul says that God's Spirit dwells within believers, both individually and collectively as the church.

Paul warns that anyone who defiles or harms this temple (the church or individual believers) will face God’s judgment. This "defilement" could include actions like causing division, false teaching, or leading others into sin. The holiness of God’s temple is paramount, and Paul stresses that believers, as God’s temple, must live in a way that reflects that holiness.

The passage teaches the importance of unity, purity, and reverence for the body of Christ, emphasizing that believers are not only connected to God but also to one another, forming a spiritual dwelling place for God’s presence.

1 Corinthians 3:18-20 (NKJV) Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

Paul warns against self-deception and the lure of worldly wisdom, which is often at odds with divine wisdom. He quotes the Old Testament to underline that worldly wisdom is not only inadequate but also counterproductive in God's view. True wisdom involves humility and reliance on God’s guidance, not human insight.

1 Corinthians 3:21-23 (NKJV) Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

Concluding the chapter, Paul admonishes the Corinthians not to boast about following any human leader because everything belongs to them through their union with Christ. This includes all leaders, life experiences, and even the future. Ultimately, they belong to Christ, and Christ to God, establishing a divine order and unity that transcends earthly distinctions.