I Corinthians 3

For this lesson, we will continue our study of the book of I Corinthians, with Chapter 3

In our study of I Corinthians 1, we studied the divisions that were a problem for the church.

Can we put a caption over each chapter? Or give each chapter a Descriptive Title? Probably not in every case, but how would we start?

(1 Cor 1:10 NKJV) 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 divisions¹ among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

(1 Cor 1:11 NKJV) For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions¹ among you.

(1 Cor 1:12 NKJV) Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ."

(1 Cor 1:13 NKJV) Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

(1 Cor 3:1 NKJV) And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal¹, as to babes in Christ.

(I Cor 3:2) 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;

(Heb 5:10-14 NKJV) called by God as High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek," {11} of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. {12} For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. {13} For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. {14} But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

I hope it is clear, that God expects us to grow. If we do not, we remain as babes, and that is not good.

{3} for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

“Still carnal:” The same thought that was advanced in verse 1. This time he gives the reason: “For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal?”

What is the proof of being carnal?

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

It is all too easy to shift the focus from the Giver to the gift. It happens at Christmas time!

Note: as the Lord gave to each one?

Let’s move ahead a few Chapters:

(1 Cor 15:10 NKJV) But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

(2 Cor 6:1 NKJV) We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

It is a delicate balance. God is the Giver, but He expects us to put effort into His work.

What would Paul have accomplished had he been lazy?

Paul knew about the human effort:

({6} I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. {7} So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. {8} Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

(I Cor 3:9) For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.

(I Cor 3:10) 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.

(I Cor 3:11) For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. {12} Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, {13} 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.

It is a test by fire, and it will test these materials:

gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,

Will it matter which material you used?

The answer is obvious, but what does that mean?

(I Cor 3:14) If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, [gold, silver, precious stones,] he will receive a reward. {15} If anyone's work is burned, wood, hay, straw, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Interpretation:

he will receive a reward or he will suffer loss;

What’s it talking about?

Degrees of punishment and reward!

(Luke 12:47-48 NKJV) "And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. {48} "But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

(Luke 19:16-19 NKJV) "Then came the first, saying, 'Master, your mina has earned ten minas.' {17} "And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.' {18} "And the second came, saying, 'Master, your mina has earned five minas.' {19} "Likewise he said to him, 'You also be over five cities.'

(Rev 22:12 NKJV) "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

So what is the meaning of:

he will receive a reward or he will suffer loss;

Let’s finish the passage:

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

Paul will connect this with Sexual Purity in Chapter 6, so we will hold that discussion till then. There may be other ways we defile our bodies.

{18} 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. {19} For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; {20} and again, "The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." {21} Therefore let no one boast in men.

(James 4:8-10 NKJV) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. {9} Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. {10} Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

There is also a serious warning about put too much value in the ideas of men.

(I Cor 3:21) For all things are yours: {22} whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come; all are yours. {23} And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

There is no need to be divided up! We are all together. We all have a common goal. We belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God, so everything is Gods. Why should we divide it up?