1 Corinthians 3-4
Paul calls the Corinthians "worldly" and likens them to infants in the family. We all take that first step toward Christ a little reluctantly, I think. It's hard to change your entire worldview, and that's what Christianity calls us to do. There is no shame in being an infant, if you are growing in faith. Paul, though, is telling the Corinthians that they are not growing as they should. The world still has its hooks in these baby believers. The first sign of this is the divisive nature of the church. Paul recaps his complaint from chapter one here and uses it to illustrate the need for all kinds of workers in the Kingdom of God. Paul planted. Apollos watered. God gave the growth. All is supposed to be for God's glory, not for the people or the leaders. I think many in the ministry need to be reminded of this on a regular basis.
The right foundation is the key. Paul writes that no matter how good or how bad your work is, it must be on the only true foundation. If you build on that foundation, the quality of your work will be shown for what it is. The testing fire will determine the quality. We hate to think of going through the fire, but God says that we will all go through in one fashion or another. If our work is destroyed by the fire, we will know it was not good. Yet if it is on the right foundation, we still
will be saved -- in heaven, but smelling like smoke.
At 3:16 I have seen interpretations of my single body being God's temple, and others saying that the church is God's temple. Is "you, yourselves" plural or referring to a plural? I cannot say. The common interpretation is that our single bodies are temples, but are we not also as a church a Temple of God? More research is needed here.
Paul closes the third chapter by reminding the believers that what the world calls "wisdom" is but foolishness to God. He uses what the world thinks is foolish to trap the wise. Wise people rely on their own understanding, not the Lord's. This is a constant trap.
Paul now calls attention to his own plight and his own status compared to that of the Corinthians. Although the world considers Paul a fool and someone to be ridiculed, Paul is fully aware that the only opinion which matters is that of God. The Corinthians are rich. They have possessions, and they didn't come after their conversion -- their earthy treasures had already been accumulated. However Paul reminds them that everything they had was received from God. We have no reason to boast about wealth because it is all a gift from God.
The only true judge is God because He sees motives. He knows what is in a man's heart. He is not fooled by outward appearances. This is the way we are to judge.
The Corinthians will be receiving Timothy to show the church what Paul is writing about. Perhaps Paul is trying to wake up the Corinthians because they seem to have thrown off any respect they had for Paul, thinking they would never see him again. But Paul is adamant that he will get back to Corinth, if it is God's will. He asks if they want him to show up to whip them into shape or with a gentle spirit. The choice is up to the Corinthians, depending upon their obedience to Paul's teaching. If they imitate Paul, as he instructs them in 4:16, all will be well and Paul will continue to encourage them. If the believers don't mature, Paul will have to take stronger measures.
The right foundation is the key. Paul writes that no matter how good or how bad your work is, it must be on the only true foundation. If you build on that foundation, the quality of your work will be shown for what it is. The testing fire will determine the quality. We hate to think of going through the fire, but God says that we will all go through in one fashion or another. If our work is destroyed by the fire, we will know it was not good. Yet if it is on the right foundation, we still
will be saved -- in heaven, but smelling like smoke.
At 3:16 I have seen interpretations of my single body being God's temple, and others saying that the church is God's temple. Is "you, yourselves" plural or referring to a plural? I cannot say. The common interpretation is that our single bodies are temples, but are we not also as a church a Temple of God? More research is needed here.
Paul closes the third chapter by reminding the believers that what the world calls "wisdom" is but foolishness to God. He uses what the world thinks is foolish to trap the wise. Wise people rely on their own understanding, not the Lord's. This is a constant trap.
Paul now calls attention to his own plight and his own status compared to that of the Corinthians. Although the world considers Paul a fool and someone to be ridiculed, Paul is fully aware that the only opinion which matters is that of God. The Corinthians are rich. They have possessions, and they didn't come after their conversion -- their earthy treasures had already been accumulated. However Paul reminds them that everything they had was received from God. We have no reason to boast about wealth because it is all a gift from God.
The only true judge is God because He sees motives. He knows what is in a man's heart. He is not fooled by outward appearances. This is the way we are to judge.
The Corinthians will be receiving Timothy to show the church what Paul is writing about. Perhaps Paul is trying to wake up the Corinthians because they seem to have thrown off any respect they had for Paul, thinking they would never see him again. But Paul is adamant that he will get back to Corinth, if it is God's will. He asks if they want him to show up to whip them into shape or with a gentle spirit. The choice is up to the Corinthians, depending upon their obedience to Paul's teaching. If they imitate Paul, as he instructs them in 4:16, all will be well and Paul will continue to encourage them. If the believers don't mature, Paul will have to take stronger measures.
posted by rev-ed @ 11:05 PM
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