Read the Passage: 1 Corinthians 3

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: 1 Corinthians 3

Conflict and Ministry (3:1–8)

Earlier, in 1 Cor. 1:10–17, Paul had introduced the topic of sectarianism in the Corinthian church. Then, after writing about the wisdom of God in 1 Cor. 1:18–2:16, Paul returned to his earlier discussion about disunity. In this passage Paul writes that the Corinthians were immature, as he notes that their conduct was marked by “envy, strife, and divisions” (1 Cor. 3:3). Of course, spiritual growth is often a very slow process; however, here Paul writes that the Corinthians had fallen behind, as they were still “babes in Christ” (1 Cor. 3:1) who needed “milk and not . . . solid food” (1 Cor. 3:2; cf. Heb. 5:12–14). Observe that while milk is regularly used in Scripture to communicate immaturity, it is also sometimes used in a contrasting manner to convey blessing (cf. Exod. 3:8; 1 Pet. 2:1–2). It seems the Corinthians’ immaturity was manifested by a tendency to gather around personalities.

Apparently there were four personality factions in the Corinthian church—those who identified with Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 1:12). It seems that the groups following Paul and Apollos were the largest, as Paul refers to these factions six times (cf. 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:4–6, 22; 4:6). Yet, regardless of the size of these groups, Paul teaches that all who minister ultimately do so together, not in conflict with one another. In an often-quoted verse Paul writes, “So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6). Indeed, sometimes those who minister can forget that they are just vessels through whom God works. Paul reminded the church in Rome of this truth, writing, “It is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy” (Rom. 9:16); and he gave other churches the same teaching (cf. Eph. 2:8–9).

Loss and Reward (3:9–17)

In this passage, Paul mixes his metaphors somewhat, as he refers to believers in Corinth both as being a field that received gospel seed (cf. 1 Cor. 3:6, 9a) and as “God’s building” (1 Cor. 3:9b). The building allusion here is likely a reference to God’s people being the temple of God, a teaching that Paul gives elsewhere in this epistle (cf. 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19). Observe that the Old Testament tabernacle and temple were always intended to be an object lesson that communicated truths about God’s Spirit dwelling within believers (cf. Lev. 26:11–12; John 14:17; Eph. 2:19–22; 1 Pet. 2:4–5). In keeping with his building metaphor, in 1 Cor. 3:10–11 Paul writes he poured the foundation and others built upon it (e.g., Apollos). Furthermore, Paul explains that Christ is the sure foundation that he had laid in Corinth. Indeed, Jesus is the “chief cornerstone” of the church (Eph. 2:20; cf. Ps. 118:22).

While Paul had been teaching about his own labor to build-up God’s temple, in 1 Cor. 3:12–17 Paul extended his metaphor to address the work of all believers. In keeping with his allusion, Paul writes of different types of building materials, including, “gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, [and] straw” (1 Cor. 3:12). Next, Paul notes that the quality of everyone’s labor will become clear on “the Day” (1 Cor. 3:13), by which he means the Day of the Lord (cf. 2 Cor. 5:10). On this day believers will not be judged for their sins, but for the works which they have completed as God’s people. For their labors that pass divine inspection, Christians “will receive a reward” (1 Cor. 3:14). However, works that are found defective will be burned up. Indeed, some idle believers will be “saved, yet so as by fire” (1 Cor. 3:15). Finally, in 1 Cor. 3:16–17 Paul warns about defiling God’s people or the church.

Foolishness and Wisdom (3:18–23)

As he had done after first citing disunity in chapter 1, so here again in chapter 3 Paul turns his discussion to the idea of wisdom. Paul begins this section with the sobering admonition, “Let no one deceive himself” (1 Cor. 3:18). This is a helpful exhortation, as it highlights our tendency to overrate the quality of our own ministerial service. Indeed, we often evaluate Christian service using worldly standards, not heavenly wisdom. The way to build a church is not with techniques based on secular ideologies, but with the wisdom found in the Word of God. This is not to say that all leadership philosophies, marketing ideas, and advertising strategies are inherently evil; rather, it is to recognize that Jesus alone is the builder of His church. Since Christ is the chief cornerstone of the church, there is no place for boasting in men like Paul or Apollos (cf. 1 Cor. 3:21).

Application Questions:

1. What are the most common things that cause disunity within the Body of Christ? What is the difference between believers being uniform and being unified?
2. What types of biblical teachings or theological doctrines might an immature believer be unable to receive?
3. Does the teaching, “Salvation is of the Lord” (Jonah 2:9), help you or discourage you in ministry?
4. Whose ministerial efforts have you benefited from and built upon as you’ve labored among God’s people?
5. How can church leaders be both biblically faithful and culturally relevant? Are these ideas complimentary or contradictory?