1 Corinthians 4:6–13

⁶ Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. ⁷ For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? ⁸ You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! ⁹ For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. ¹⁰ We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! ¹¹ To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. ¹² And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; ¹³ being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

Commentary

Vs. 6 "Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other."

Looking back on what he had written to the Corinthians on their aligning themselves around their leaders in the church, the Apostle Paul now says that he has figuratively transferred all these things to himself and Apollos, rather than naming everyone, and thus opening the door for their factions and infighting over through their saying they belonged too this one or that one. Clearly then the Corinthians aligning themselves under those in leadership whom they esteemed more highly than the others in the church had gone well beyond their doing so with just Paul or Apollos. Yet until the time of the Apostle Paul's writing to them he had no knowledge of it all, until he was informed of their doing so, which was one reason which precipitated his writing this epistle to them. 

Now in transferring these things to himself and Apollos, Paul says he did it for their sakes, so that they may learn in them not to think beyond what is written, that is written in the Word or by him, or by the other Apostles, and his already having quoted the Scripture to them which says we are only to glory in the Lord. And thus we are not to glory in men and their Spirit giftedness or anything else about them. All which comes from God alone, which God gives men for His Son's praise, glory, honor and exaltation, not theirs. And thus the Corinthians should not have been placing Paul or Apollos or any other Apostle or prophet or evangelist on "pedestals", elevating one above another, and thus themselves above each other by their saying they belonged to this one or that one. For their doing so only became an occasion for their pride, by which they became puffed up one against the other, something which is contrary to Christian unity, love and peace. 

Vs. 7 "For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?"

Since Christ makes no carnal distinctions with any of us. Neither then should any of us try to make distinctions amongst ourselves (consider Gal. 3:26-29). For if we are in the Body of Christ than we are members of one another (1 Cor 12:18-26). For salvation by faith in Christ unites us all who believe under one Head, Jesus Christ the only Lord and Savior (Acts 4:12).

Ultimately then what do we have that we did not receive? Salvation came to us only by God's grace as a gift of His love for us. Just as His Spirit gifts are also a gift from Him to us, and to all, when we use them for His glory and the church's edification in love. Therefore who can boost? All that we have and are comes from God alone. For we neither saved ourselves, nor have we re-made ourselves as new creations in Christ, all that we have and are only comes from God. Therefore since all that we have and are only comes from God, why boast as if we had not received it? In other words why boost as if we have somehow procured our salvation or standing with God through ourselves.

Vs. 8 "You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you!"

The Corinthians carnal thinking and living according to this world's "wisdom" not only caused them to make some pretty wrong assessments of the Apostle Paul's person, but also of themselves, and just what Christian discipleship could entail in following Jesus Christ faithfully. And so here with a bit of wit and sarcasm Paul essentially says of their self assessments of themselves, and him: “You Corinthians brag about one another and compare one man with another, as though you were kings on a throne! How wonderful it must be to reign as kings and look down on others! I wish I could reign with you. But, no, I must be a hated apostle, a spectacle to the world, a fool for Christ’s sake.” Wiersbe

Vs. 9 "For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men." 

In contrast to the Corinthians who were living and acting as though they were victorious kings returning from the battle with their loot and captives in hand (something Paul alludes to in the original language in verse eight when he says they have "reigned as kings" without him). The Apostle Paul now paints a far different picture of himself, and the other apostles. Saying that God has displayed the Apostles last, as men condemned to death; "for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men." Thus the Apostle Paul likened himself not to a victorious king triumphantly returning from the battle, but rather as one of the captives, as a man condemned to death, put on display as a spectacle before all, both to angels and to men. Now Paul's saying as much about himself, and the other Apostles, is not some sort of hyperbole. For in many ways, as Christ Himself was first put on public display to bear the reproach of the cross for us all, so must we all also bear our own reproaches and humilations and disgraces for His Names sake (consider Acts 14:22, 20:23; 2 Thess. 1:4; Heb 10:32-38), before we are glorified together with Himself (Rom. 8:16-17).

Vs. 10 "We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!"

In saying that, "We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ!" Paul is saying that he and the other apostles were "fools" only according to this world's "wisdom", because they left all the comforts and privileges and certainties of their past lives, for lives of trials, and tribulations, and hardships and persecutions. Now this they did not as a means to salvation, but rather because of having believed Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior they gave their lives to Him so that He could build through their re-born persons and lives, not only the Corinthians faith in the Lord Jesus, but also through them Jesus Christ would build and establish a doctrine of faith for countless of generations to come. And so though the Apostle Paul, and all the Apostles were "fools" for Christ's sake. Yet their "foolishness" was the means by which the Corinthians (and us all) were being made wise. 

"We are weak, but you are strong!" 

Though some of the the Corinthians may have disdained Paul's bodily presence, even questioning his apostleship based upon it (consider 1 Cor 2:3-5; 2 Cor 10:10). Yet it was through Paul's own weaknesses, and his enduring all things for the Gospel's sake (2 Tim 2:10), that the Corinthians were made strong. 

"You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!" 

In contrast to the Corinthians who were distinguished (or at least thought themselves as much), the Apostle Paul and the other Apostle's were truly bearing the reproach of Christ, being held in dishonor and reproach by Corinthians cultures Godless values. For no one who is faithful to Christ will find themselves being honored through the Godless values of this world (consider John 7:7; John 15:19). 

Vs. 11 "To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless."

Even though Paul was an Apostle of Christ, his lifestyle was not one of ease and privilege, rather one of enduring hunger and thirst, being poorly clothed and beaten and homeless. Thus enduring all manner of hardships and needs and reproaches and beatings and even imprisonments for the Gospels sake (consider Phil 3:17-19). And so hunger and thirst, poorly clothed, beaten and homeless, these were the things that "distinguished" the Apostle Paul and his apostleship for Christ.

Vs. 12-13 ¹² And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; ¹³ being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

The Apostle Paul continues his declaration of his Apostleship for Christ, saying that he and those with him labor with their own hands. And so rather than making demands as an Apostle, Paul always sought to keep himself from being a burden to anyone, lest he hinder the Gospel of Christ (see 1 Cor. 9:11-12; 2 Cor 11:9, also 1 Thess 2:5-6). Thus by doing so, Paul set forth the example that we all must follow (consider Acts 20:35; 2 Thess 3:10-12).

"Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure"  
Paul when reviled did not return the their insults or slander with the same instead he blessed (consider Matthew 5:44). Or when persecuted Paul did not "fly off the handle" but patiently endured. 

"being defamed, we entreat." 
Similarly when Paul was "blasphemed" (i.e., cursed, slandered, maligned etc.), he entreated those who did so to believe the Gospel and receive Christ while they can. 

"We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now."

If some of the Corinthians thought little of the Apostle Paul's person because of the way this world viewed him, and all the Apostles, they should consider it was in God who made them so. Now if you were looking for a Biblical Apostle what would you be looking for? Would it be by the "externals", i.e. handsome appearance; well dressed; dynamic personality; highly educated; succesful individual; wealth and stature? What characteristics would say to you that this man is an Apostle of Christ?

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

Vs. 9-10 Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 429). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

1 Corinthians 4:1–5

¹ Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. ² Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. ³ But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. ⁴ For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. ⁵ Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

Commentary

Vs. 1 "Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God."

In wanting the Corinthians to have a right assessment of himself the Apostle Paul reminds the Corinthians that he, Apollos, and Cephas (i.e. Peter) were servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. The Apostle's own call into Christ's service coming on the Damascus road (see Acts 26:16 where the word translated service here is rendered minister there.) Now their service for Christ was intrinsically tied to the ministry of God's Word. Which the passage clearly reveals when the Apostle Paul says in the same sentence that they were "stewards of the mystery of God", thus linking the two. Now to be a servant of Christ basically means to exercise the will of the One who has greater authority and position than oneself. While to be a steward of the mysteries of God is to be entrusted with the Gospels truths. Therefore the Apostle Paul along with his compatriots (Apollos and Cephas, i.e. Peter) were to be considered by them, and us all, as first and foremost, servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Thus they were chosen and equipped by Christ to be His Gospel ministers, and or church leaders. And thus they were not men whose primary function was to be spent in directly ministering to the daily needs within the churches (i.e. the role of deacons, see Acts 6:2-3). Rather their lives were too be spent in the ministry of God's Word, in its proclamation and exhortation and teaching, as stewards of the mysteries of God.

Vs. 2 "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful." 

To be a steward of the mysteries of God requires faithfulness. That is first and foremost faithful to Christ and the truths entrusted to one as Christ's steward (consider 2 Chr. 16:9). Thus the Apostle Paul was not a man-pleaser (see Gal 1:10) whose preaching and teaching would be swayed by anyone's opinions, or any cultures values. The Apostle Paul then did not pander to the desires or whims of the Jews or the Gentiles in his presenting the Gospel (1 Cor 1:22-25). For the Apostle Paul's one objective in his duties as a servant of Christ, and a steward of the mysteries of God, was to remain faithful to Christ by keeping the unchanging truths from the Lord which He entrusted to him. To deliver them through the simplicity of the Gospel preached and taught (1 Cor 1:17, 21). Not for personal profit (2 Cor 2:17). Nor for self-glory (1 Cor. 1:31). But rather to remain faithful to Christ through the Word of God. For as the Apostle Paul warns us all many will turn aside to fables and or be led astray by their own hearts desires (see 2 Tim 4:1-5; Titus 2:14-16).

Vs. 3 "But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself." 

In light of the fact that the Apostle Paul had remained faithful to Christ he could say he thought it a very small thing to be judged by the Corinthians, or even by a human court. For again Paul's desire was not to please men, but God (consider Acts 5:28-32). Thus if his person, or his preaching the Gospel without impressive oratory skill or "wisdom" did not impress them, Paul was unconcerned. For Paul knew our Lord and Savior knew him best, both his calling and his service for Him. Thus if Paul's person was being wrongly judged by some of the Corinthians, he would not then judge himself and validate their doing so. 

Vs. 4 "For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord."

Because the Apostle Paul's conscience was clear towards them all he could say, "I know nothing against myself." Yet Paul was not justified by this, that is his own righteousness. Rather Paul, like you and me and everyone who believes is only justified by our faith In the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 2:8-9; Rom 5:1). Thus Paul's trust was only in the Lord who judges him. Yet Paul was not putting himself out of the reach of accountability. On the contrary, because of the fact that the Lord is his (and our) Judge, he always sought to keep himself, his motives, and the Gospel pure in His sight.

Vs. 5 "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God."

The Apostle Paul's final exhortation on this matters is basically that we should all trust in the Lord's judgment of our own works, persons, and lives. And not be quick to judge each others motives, since it will be Lord who will judge these (and all the secret counsels of men) in His Day, and then each one who has faithfully served and followed Him will receive their praise from God. 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2001.

Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.

Word studies 

Servant, ὑπηρέτης (hypēretēs), Str 5257; GK 5677; TDNT 8.350; TDNTA 1231; LN 35.20 (20x)

Translated servant/s in: 

Matt. 5:25

Matt. 20:26

Matt. 22:13

Matt. 26:58

Mark 9:35

Mark 10:43

Mark 14:54

John 2:5, 9

John 12:26

John 18:36

Rom 15:8

1 Cor 4:1

Heb 3:5

Translated minister/s in:

Luke 1:2

Acts 26:16

Rom 13:4 (2x)

1 Cor 3:5

2 Cor 3:6

2 Cor 6:4

2 Cor 11:15 (2x)

2 Cor 11:23

Gal 2:17

Eph 3:7

Eph 6:21

Col 1:7

Translated officer/s in:

Mark 14:65

John 7:32, 45, 46

John 18:3, 12, 18, 22

John 19:6

Acts 5:22, 26

Translated assistant in:

Acts 13:5

Translated attendant in:

Luke 4:20

Steward, οἰκονόμος (oikonomos), Str 3623; GK 3874; TDNT 5.149; TDNTA 674; LN 37.39; 46.4; 57.231 (Luke 12:42; 16:1, 3, 8; Rom 16:23 "treasurer"; 1 Cor 4:1, 2; Gal 4:2; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 4:10) 10x

1 Corinthians 3:18–23

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. 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. 

Commentary

Vs. 18-20  Here the Apostle Paul warns us all, "let no one deceive himself". That is deceive themselves by trusting in man's wisdom. For God did not choose the "wisdom" of this age to make the Gospel known. Rather God has chosen the foolishness of the message preached to save us all who believe (see 1 Cor 1:21). Thus it's not the messenger and his "wisdom", it's the Lord Jesus Christ crucified for the remission of our sins, that brings everlasting life. Therefore if anyone seems wise in this age, let them become a "fool" so that they might become wise ( vs. 18). For as the Apostle Paul says in verses 19-20, "God catches the wise in their own craftiness" and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”(Quoting from Job 5:13 and Psalm 94:11). 

Vs. 21-23 ²¹ Therefore let no one boast in men. 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. 


For what are men, just messengers through whom one believes, therefore let no one boast in men, for "all things are yours". Thus the Corinthians boasting in belonging to either one or the other Gospel preachers, teachers or evangelists was folly, for they belong to us all who believe (vs 21). Thus whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas (i.e. Peter) makes no difference, they all are Christ's, and if Christ's then they all are ours. For we are members of one another (1 Cor 12:5). Thus they have no exclusive domain over anyone's faith, nor did they ever seek any. Therefore all things are ours. Whether the Biblical Apostles and teachers, Paul, Peter, and Apollos, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are ours (vs. 22). Because there is nothing that has not been given to the Lord Jesus Christ as an inheritance from God the Father, to both rule over and have dominion over. Therefore there's nothing that God intends we have, and are, and experience through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior that will be withheld from us who believe, for we are joint-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17). Therefore since we are Christ's, we are God's. So then let us not look to men to boast or trust in them, or try to distinguish ourselves from our brethren by saying we belong to them. Rather let us all look to Jesus Christ the only Lord and Savior and receive as many as receive Him in grace and truth into our own assemblies and lives.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

1 Corinthians 3:5–17

⁵ Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 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. ⁹ For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 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. 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. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 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.

Commentary

Vs. 5 "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?"

The Apostle Paul did not bring the Corinthians to Spirit life, nor did Apollos cause their Spiritual growth. Both men were ministers through whom the Lord worked to reach the Corinthians with the Gospel and it's truths. And so Paul says that neither he, nor Apollos is anything, that is anything to have one's faith in, or to align oneself under, as if salvation came through them. Rather Paul and Apollos are God's ministers (i.e. servants) through whom the Corinthians believed, as the Lord gave to each one. And so it is that Paul acknowledges that it is of the Lord who decides how and through whom He will reach people with the Gospel. For true disciples of Christ is never the work of men (of their methods, means, or ways), but only of the Lord. 

Vs. 6 "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase."

The Apostle Paul planted the good seed of the Word of God through his evangelism and missionary efforts, Apollos then nurtured the believers in the faith, who received the Word, i.e. "watered", but it was God who gave the increase. Again Paul did not cause his ministry to grow by his own tact, foresight, or wisdom. Just as Apollos did not cause his too grow by his own speaking/teaching abilities, God caused each ones labors to yield fruit as He willed for them. 

Vs. 7 "So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase."

Since it is only God who gives the increase, the Apostle Paul can rightly downplay both his own and Apollos' persons and abilities in accomplishing any of this. 

Vs. 8 "Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor."

Notice that Paul now says that both he who plants and he who waters are one. That is though Paul and Apollos had different roles in Christ's service, their both on the same team, working towards the same goal, and that is to see all people everywhere, be brought into a personal relationship with God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Now just as the Body of Christ is One, so also are all of us who belong to Him. Regardless of the work we are doing for the Lord (or where we are doing it), all believers everywhere are One, though again we do not have the same roles and functions. Still God works through each one of us (1 Cor 12:4-5). And so it is that the Apostle Paul says not only are we one, but that each one of us will receive our own reward according to each one's own labor. 

Vs. 9  "For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building." 

Thus the Apostle Paul makes it clear that he sees no rivalry between himself and Apollos, as Paul says, we are God's fellow workers. Thus the Apostle Paul sees no grounds for the Corinthians to align themselves with one or the other. Nor for them to be at odds with each other, for they all belong to God. As the Apostle Paul says to them, "you are God’s field, you are God’s building." which is simply a metaphor for the Corinthians persons (1 Cor 3:16; 2 Cor. 6:6), faith, and discipleship in Christ, to whom God sent His servants Paul and Apollos to minister His Gospel too.

Vs. 10-11 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. ¹¹ For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

The Apostle Paul was by the grace of God, both called and equipped by the Lord to preach the Gospel, to be "a wise master builder", and thus to lay the solid and sound foundation for both the Corinthians and our faith. Others then like Apollos taught the believers there, i.e. building on the foundation that Paul laid. And so here the Apostle Paul warns them, and us all, that we all take heed to how we build upon the foundation which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ crucified for the remission of sins for everyone who believes in Him (John 3:16). For it is Christ crucified and ones faith in Him which then brings one into all that is true Christian discipleship and fellowship. 

Vs. 12-13 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. 

Having laid the foundation, and warned against trying to lay another, the Apostle Paul now directs his words to those would be ministering the Gospel and it's truths in the local assemblies. Thus his exhortation is "if anyone..., that is if any believer builds on the foundation of Christ crucified let them take heed how they build. Whether with that which is valuable, and it's value endures, i.e. gold, silver, precious stones. Or with that which has minimal to no lasting value, represented here by wood, hay, straw. The references then are metaphors which are meant to encompass all that comes under the umbrella of Christian faith and doctrine. For some doctrines and teachings clearly have intrinsic, lasting, and eternal value. Their qualities and attributes have stood the test of time in God's Word and will stand the test of Christ's refining fire. While other things taught as Christian are in reality only pander to the carnal desires of mankind down here, and may or may not even appear as "spiritual", but their value is very little, and these will not stand the test of Christ's fire.

And so the principal here is not to lay a new foundation (for that would be apostasy), rather teach and preach the Word in such way so as to wisely build upon the foundation that has already been laid. For as the Apostle Paul declares in verse thirteen, "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."
Here "the Day" is referring to the judgment seat of Christ where all that was taught will come under Christ's all knowing scrutiny represented by the element of fire, for that is fundamental to the Nature of God (Heb 12:29). Thus all that we did will be tested by fire to test the qualities of what we did.

Vs. 14-15 ¹⁴ If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.


If anyone's work which they have built upon the foundation of the Lord Jesus Christ crucified for the remission of sins, so that new and everlasting life might be imparted to all who believe in Him. And thus whatever one did in building upon that foundation through our own Christian witness, service, and or faithfulness towards Christ by keeping and teaching His and the Biblical Apostles doctrines, commandments, and decrees, and thus living out and forwarding the Gospel. The work that anyone has done, when their work is tested by fire, if it endures it will be rewarded, but if when tested by Christ's fire, if it is burned up, they themselves will still be saved, yet as through fire. Thus salvation is not the issue here, rather the rewards that one will receive or not receive according to how they themselves built upon the foundation. 

Vs. 16-17 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.

The Apostle Paul now moves into the realm of our sanctification. And here the Apostle Paul wants us to understand that any Christian service is only as relevant as we also embrace and live out Christian character. Now this passage mostly refers to the collective assembly as being the Temple of the Lord (see 2 Cor 6:16; 1 Peter 2:5). Though each individual believer must also consider their own bodies as the Temple of Lord, since the Holy Spirit indwells each and every one of us who believe, and thus we are to do so with the mindset of our own sanctification and or our pursuit of holiness in our persons and lives (see 1 Cor. 6:19). And so what the Apostle Paul is exhorting here is primarily a warning about keeping our corporate sanctity (see 2 Cor 6:14-7:1). For as Paul warns us all in verse seventeen, "If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are." Thus those who would seek to undermine that, whether by doctrine, or by conduct, set themselves up for a strong response from the Lord, who will judge His people (see Heb. 10:30-31). And so just as in the chapters two and three of the Book of Revelation where the Lord calls His people back to Himself, through our own individual and corporate repentance. So here we must also take the Apostle's warning to heart, and not fall under the sway of this world's degenerating ways. For again the Temple of God is holy, which temple you are!

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

1 Corinthians 3:1-4

¹ And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 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; 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? ⁴ For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?

Commentary

Vs. 1-2 The Apostle Paul having justified God's Wisdom and how He disseminates it through those whom He chooses, now says of his sharing it with the Corinthians that he could not speak to them as he wanted to speak to them as to "spiritual people". For though they were born-again Christians they were for the most part immature in their faith and lives. So the Apostle Paul had to address them as carnal people, as babes In Christ (vs. 1). So there is some irony here in that the Corinthians though thinking themselves to be "wise" and "mature" Christians, yet in reality were only acting and living as carnal believers. Carnal here meaning worldly, fleshly, base etc., that is living by this world's ways, and or being led by their own fleshes impulses and desires. Thus the fruits of the Spirit were being set aside for their carnal nature's wants and desires. Not exactly what you would call being spiritual, or being mature, in ones faith. And so it was for that reason the Apostle Paul says in verse two that he fed them with milk and not with solid food; which again is just a metaphor for his holding back the deep truths of God's Word from them, because of their immaturity and carnality (also see Heb 5:11-14). Indeed Paul says because of their immaturity and carnality they were not able to receive it, even saying at the time of his writing to them, they were still not able to receive it. And so 1 Corinthians though containing some deep spiritual truths throughout, will do so within the context of addressing the pressing issues that needed to be addressed amongst them first. 

Vs. 3-4 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? ⁴ For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?

As evidence of their immaturity and carnality the Apostle Paul now asks them, " For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?" vs. 3

And so it is that the Apostle Paul mentions three things that had him describing the Corinthians as carnal: envy, strife, divisions. Now this he did not to shame them, but to enlighten them to their wrong behavior and attitudes. For neither envy, nor strife, nor divisions is the mark of Christian maturity, either amongst them, or amongst us. Now looking at the word translated envy, it is defined by Louw-Nida here as having "a particularly strong feeling of resentment and jealousy against someone." LN 88.162 

Now this envy likely came from the importance that they themselves had placed upon the one through whom they had believed the Gospel (vs. 4). Yet it has never been the one through whom one believes the Gospel that matters, as the Apostle will affirm in verses five to seven. Rather it is the One to whom the Gospel testifies too as being the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and ones faith in Him, crucified and risen from the dead, that is what matters, to personally receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (John 1:12). And so whether they believed through the Apostle Paul, or Apollos', or somebody else's preaching the Gospel to them, ultimately does not matter. For believing through one or the other does not make either the Corinthians (or any of us) any more spiritual, or any less spiritual, because of the one through whom they (or we) believe the Gospel, and thus received Christ into our hearts and lives. Now the Apostle Paul also says there was strife amongst the Corinthians, which Louw-Nida says mostly refers to as: ‘always saying bad things about one another’ or ‘never having a good word to say to one another.’ LN. 39.22 And so sadly we are getting a pretty clear picture of the carnality and immaturity that was then amongst them. Believers were not being supportive of each other as they should've been, instead they were living in envy and strife towards one another. Which does not make for an atmosphere where peace and unity and love could flourish.
Finally the Apostle Paul says that there were divisions amongst them. Now divisiveness (like envy and strife) is never the work of the Holy Spirit, in either a believers life, or in a church assembly. For those things are only works of the sinful nature (see Gal. 5:19-21), that must be repented of (Rev 3:19). And so thankfully the Apostle Paul will tactfully and patiently guide the Corinthians through that process, so that the Corinthians, and all who heed his Spirit given instructions will by the grace of God receive, and ultimately be, all that Christ intends that we should receive and be as His people.

Scripture Quotations

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Additional Resources Consulted 

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 759). New York: United Bible Societies.

Word Studies 

Vs. 1 carnal

Vs. 3 envy, strife 

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

⁶ However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷ But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, ⁸ which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹ But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” ¹⁰ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. ¹¹ For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. ¹³ These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. ¹⁴ But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵ But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. ¹⁶ For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Commentary

Vs. 6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 

The Apostle Paul in refuting the wisdom of this world, does not say that with the Gospel there is no wisdom. Since the Gospel personifies the Wisdom of God in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work at Calvary. For it is through Christ's crucifixion death that God has not only made atonement for everyone, but also by His resurrection from the dead that Jesus has conquered death for everyone, so that God can now impart everlasting life in us by His Holy Spirit the moment we believe in Him (Eph. 1:13-14). And what could be wiser than that to make salvation accessible to one and to all. Therefore the Apostle Paul does not speak the "wisdom" of this age that denies God and our sin against Him, and thus our need to be reconciled to Him. No this world's "wisdom" does not reckon that we must all stand before Christ and give an accounting of ourselves, and thus is no wisdom at all (Prov. 9:10; Heb. 9:27). Neither does the Apostle Paul preach the "wisdom" of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. For it is those same rulers who conspired together to Crucify Christ, and or were complacent about it all. And so they (and all like them) are coming to nothing, because instead of receiving the Lord of glory and giving Him His Rightful honor, they only set themselves against Him. Yet all wisdom, glory, and honor must and will be given to the Lord Jesus Christ when He is exalted and glorified in us all who believe in Him forever (John 5:22-23; 2 Thess. 1:5-10).
And so it is that the Apostle speaks the wisdom of God to those who are mature, that is those who by reason of use have their senses to discern between good and evil (Hebrews 5:14), and thus are not being caught up in the moral and spiritual degradation that is the "wisdom" of this age.

Vs. 7-9 ⁷ But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, ⁸ which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹ But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

And so the Apostle Paul says of his preaching that he speaks the wisdom of God in a mystery (vs.7). 
A mystery which God ordained before the ages began for our glory, that through Christ we would become partakers of the Divine Nature, and joint heirs together with His Son (Rom 8:17, 30; 2 Peter 2:2-4). And so it is that none of the rulers of this age knew this (whose own nature and glory is a fading flower) for had they known they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (vs. 8). 
 ⁹ But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Quoting from Isaiah 64:4 the Apostle Paul sees God's grand plan of salvation unfolding just as it was foretold in the Scripture. Hidden from the "wise" and the "prudent", and the rulers of this age, yet so clearly revealed, understood, and received by us all who believe. Who could have imagined that God would've done such things for us, and is doing such things for us all who love Him. Saving us from wrath and judgment, while transforming us by His Holy Spirit, so that He might prepare us for an eternity with Himself. When Isaiah prophesied he saw our need to be saved, and that it was God alone who was the Source of meeting our greatest need. And so the Apostle Paul in seeing and experiencing salvation through the death and ressurection of Christ, cannot help but rejoice in the understanding God has give him, and the future He has prepared for him, and us all who love Him, love Him because He first loved us and has reconciled us to Himself (1 John 4:10). 

Vs. 10-11 ¹⁰ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. ¹¹ For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 

Therefore though God has hidden these things from the wise and prudent (Matt. 11:25), yet He has revealed them to us all who believe in His Son, by His Spirit (vs. 10). "For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God." That is the Holy Spirit of God who indwells each and every believer, is not only the One who searches the deep things of God, but it is He who reveals them to the children of God. Verse eleven then is simply the Apostle Paul reasoning that just as a person within their own spirit only knows their own thoughts, so it is with God, that no one knows the thoughts of God, except the Spirit of God, who reveals the mind of God that is for us.

Vs. 12 "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God."

Here the Apostle Paul makes a marked distinction between the "spirit of the world" by whom the unbelieving world lies under the sway of the evil one (see Eph. 2:2; 1 John 5:19), and the Spirit who is from God who indwells each and every believer, who makes known to us who believe in Christ the things that have been freely given to us by God. Thus the spirit of this world by which those of it lie sway to Satan's influence and lies is not the Spirit that has been given to the children of God. For it is the the Holy Spirit from God by which the children of God are enlightened to the things of God, being instructed by Him (1 John 2:27).

Vs. 13 "These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual." 

Thus the Apostle Paul speaks the truths of God revealed to him by the Spirit of God. For it is the Spirit of God alone who searches and reveals the deep things of God (vs. 10). Now Paul did this not with words which man's wisdom teaches, (that is by intellectual prowess or doctrine acquired by "advanced" learning), but with words which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual (vs. 13). Thus as with us all who believe, the Holy Spirit was Paul's Instructor, who not only instructed him in God's then unfolding revelation for the church, but also gave him the words to speak and teach to us all who believe. And so it is, as the Spirit taught Paul the Spiritual truths and realities which again were given him for us all, he also compared those spiritual truths and realities with the spiritual truths and realities that were given the other Apostles, and are often within the whole of Scripture, which the Spirit of God also gave through holy men down through the centuries (2 Peter 1:21). Therefore we are wise when we are given any revelation or illumination to not only test the spirit by which it came (1 John 4:1), but also to compare it with the finished revelation of God within the whole canon of Scripture. For the faith has now been delivered once and all to the saints, thus any person or spirit which would seek to alter or amend it is not from God (Jude 3). 

Vs. 14  "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

And so it is that the natural man (that is the person not born-again by the Spirit of God) does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. That is they lack the Spirit of God to both discern anything that comes from God as well as receive anything that is truly from Spirit from God. And so having no connection with God whatever things they hear of the Spirit of God are only foolish to them. 

Vs. 15 "But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one." 

In contrast then to the natural person who does not have, nor can they receive the things of the Spirit of God, is the person who is spiritual, who is a born of the Spirit of God, and thus not only receives the things of the Spirit of God, but also judges all things that come from the Spirit of God. Yet he himself is rightly judged by no one (vs. 15). And so just as they wrongly judged Jesus, so they also wrongly judge His own, not able to see all that God has placed in us, and has given us, by His Spirit.  

Vs. 16 "For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ."

The Apostles question here is not looking for an answer. Rather it is a reaffirmation of God's wisdom in how He brought about salvation, and how He chooses to reveal it to us all who believe, and so it is having believed and been sealed with the Holy Spirit of God, we have the mind of Christ by which we know God's Will for us, and understand the truths of God's Word revealed to us. 


Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982. Additional Resources Consulted
Vs. 7-9 Wiersbe, Warren W. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992.


MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.