Home

Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE FIRST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

CHAPTER THREE:
“UNITY IN ONE SPIRITUAL BUILDING”

Theme Verse: 12

1 Corinthians 3:1-9 – Inability to Speak to Infants

1CO3:1 And so, brothers, I was unable to speak to you as pneumatic persons, 110 but rather as fleshly persons, as infants in Christ. 111

110

I was unable to speak to you as pneumatic persons: Or, spiritual persons. This explains why Paul had determined, as expressed in 1 Corinthians 2:2, to know only “Christ crucified” in their midst. It seems reasonable by this expression, Paul meant all that is involved in this phrase: the resurrection, the ascension, and the redemption. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4. For more information on the subject of the Spiritual Person see the article “What is Spirituality?” in Nazarene Commentary 2000 – Biblical Articles. [1 Corinthians 2:15; Colossians 1:9] Jude 19 describes those lacking spirituality as, “These are persons who create divisions. They are psychics lacking the Pneuma.”

111

But rather as fleshly persons, as infants in Christ: Or, carnal, natural. All new Christians begin as “fleshly persons” and later grow into that superior human being that is spiritual, or pneumatic. Compare 1 Corinthians 14:20 and Hebrews 5:11-6:1. [1 Peter 2:3] This statement must have shocked those elders among the Corinthians who considered themselves “supreme apostles.”

1CO3:2 I gave you only milk to drink and not solid food, 112 because you were unable to accept it. 113 Neither are you able even now. 114

112	I gave you only milk to drink and not solid food: Compare Hebrews 5:12, 14. This “milk” was the simple message “Christ impaled.”

113	You were unable to accept it: Contrast the words of the Nazarene to his apostles. [John 16:12]

114	Neither are you able even now: Paul has heard of their spiritual condition through the reports from the Chloe family, and perhaps others. [Romans 8:7; Galatians 5:17]

1CO3:3 For you are still fleshly because jealousy and strife are in your midst. 115 Are you not yet fleshly? 116 Are you not walking as humans do?

115	For you are still fleshly because jealousy and strife are in your midst: Or, carnal, worldly. Or, KJV: there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions. [Galatians 5:21, 25, 26] Compare James 3:13-17. Jealous and strife are always characterized by gossip and slander.

116

Are you not yet fleshly: Paul continues to explain it is because of their jealousies and strife. Jealousy, accompanied by political ambition, is self-destructive to the Church. Surely Paul was aware that jealousy and envy were at the root of the Corinthian leadership with him. Jealousy even existed among Christ’s own apostles.

1CO3:4 Because whenever anyone of you says, “Indeed, I follow Paul” – and another, “I follow Apollos” 117 – are you not merely human?

117

I follow Apollos: Compare 1 Corinthians 1:12. When congregation members polarize around one elder or teacher the result is fleshly disunity, even when the object of their affections really represents the totality of Christ. It is true that one man may have more experience as a Christian, more labors in evangelism, more wisdom and knowledge, more natural talents – BUT Christ is the only “leader” and the only “head.” [Matthew 23:10; Colossians 1:18]

1CO3:5 What, then, is Apollos? And, what is Paul? Servants – through whom you became believers, 118 just as the Master provided each one. 119

118

Servants – through whom you became believers: Or, ministers. The Greek is the same word for “deacon” – DIACONOI. Paul does not say elders, or apostles, but the humbler form, “servant.” From what we know of Apollos – and using 1 Timothy 3:1-10 as a guide – the educated man who was “mighty in the Scripture” [Acts 18:24] could not have been an elder. We see Paul’s own humility here, as well as his respect for Apollos.

119	Just as the Master provided each one: Here Lord has the article, HO KYRIOS in contrast to those quotes from the Hebrew Scriptures where LORD is without the article. It seems here Paul may have the Master Jesus in mind.

1CO3:6 I planted. Apollos watered. 120 However, God gave the growth. 121

120	I planted. Apollos watered: Paul laid the groundwork, the foundation. Apollos later “watered” the Corinthians using his eloquence and outstanding knowledge of the Bible. [Acts 18:4, 25, 28; 19:1]

121	God gave the growth: Or, KJV: God gave the increase; WMS: God who kept the plants growing; NAS: God was causing the growth. [Isaiah 55:10, 11; 2 Corinthians 9:10] Every Christian minister, missionary, or evangelist should never forget the spiritual Life-giver.

1CO3:7 Thus, the one planting and the one watering are nothing, but rather God, the One who gives the growth. 1CO3:8 Now, the one planting and the one watering are one, 122 and each one will receive a reward according to their labor. 123 [Psalm 62:12]

122

The one planting and the one watering are one: Here is a stress on unity raised in 1 Corinthians 1:10. It is destructive for the one who follows on another’s work to destroy that person and that original work. Great disunity has resulted because the one who succeeded another was jealous of that one’s fame and respect. By deliberate effort to remove attention from the “founder” the successor creates disunity.

123	Each one will receive a reward according to their labor: Or, his wages, his own pay. Paul alludes to Psalm 62:12. This “reward” is attained following the resurrection into Judgment Day. Paul does not explain this “reward” though there are echoes of Luke 12:41-48.

1CO3:9 For we are God’s co-workers 124 – God’s cultivated farm. 125 You are God’s building. 126

124	We are God’s co-workers: Or, KJV: labourers together with God; ASV: fellow-workers; KNX: fellow-workers. The very thought is transcendental!

125	God’s cultivated farm: Or, KJV: God’s husbandry; WMS: belong to God as His field; KNX: God’s tilling; RHM: God’s farm.

126	You are God’s building: Or, KNX: a structure of God’s design. Compare Hebrews 3:6. [Ephesians 2:22; 1 Peter 2:5] This building is described by Paul as a Temple.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 – Building on One Foundation

1CO3:10 In accordance with the unmerited favor of The God that was given to me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder. 127 And now, another builds on [that foundation]. 128 But, let everyone consider how they build on 129 [this foundation].

127

I laid a foundation as a wise builder: Or, KJV: wise master-builder; BEC: expert; KIT: chief craftsman. The Greek word is ARCHITECTON [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #753, master builder, superintendent] from which the English “architect” is drawn. This parallel’s Paul’s “planting.” [1 Corinthians 3:6] Regarding a “foundation” compare Hebrews 6:1. Paul mainly evangelized in untouched territory. [Romans 15:20; 2 Corinthians 10:15, 16] If one follows him in the book of Acts it seems clear Paul used the Jewish synagogue system wherever he could.

128	Now, another builds on [that foundation]: He may have Apollos in mind as he “watered.” Since it appears Apollos was no longer with the Corinthians, what follows may be directed to those elders in the congregation who continue to care for new growth and church responsibilities.

129

Let everyone consider how they build on: Or, KJV: let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. The foundation is Christ in the Corinthian Church. This was laid down by Paul and now he has left the “watering” in the hands of other appointed men [elders]. These need to be cautious how they build – maintaining Christ as the focus and his teachings as their theme. If they lay upon this Christine foundation another Jesus or another gospel [2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:7-9] – they undermine Paul’s original work. [1 Peter 4:11] It was predicted that false teachers would introduce “teachings of demons” traceable to Egypt and Greece. These are found in the Trinity, hell-fire, and soul immortality. [1 Timothy 4:1]

1CO3:11 For no one is able to lay another foundation beside the one already laid. 130 [That foundation] is Jesus Christ.

130	The one already laid: That is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his teachings. It would later include the inspired writings of the apostles in answer to the promise of John 16:2, 13.

1CO3:12 Now, if anyone builds on this foundation – gold, silver, gem-stones, wood, hay, stubble 131 –

131

Gold, silver, gem-stones, wood, hay, stubble: Paul’s analogy is “fire.” Gold is purified by fire, whereas “stubble” starts a fire. How does one build upon the Church’s foundation – Christ? In several ways: a) new church members must be introduced to Christ and not a human founder; b) the teachings of Christ must reach the heart of new believers so they grow to maturity [Ephesians 4:13, 15; Hebrews 6:1]; c) older Church members must be encouraged to continue to “grow to salvation.” [1 Peter 2:1; Hebrews 5:13, 14] Thus, if a member of the church over many decades remains a spiritual babe in character and Biblical understanding, the wrong materials were used by those who attempted to build the Gospel of Christ upon this person.

1CO3:13 each one’s work will become manifest, 132 for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by fire. 133 The Fire itself will test each one’s type of work. 134

132

Each one’s work will become manifest: Paul assures those who would build on Christ that their work will be manifest by judgment. [Ephesians 4:11-16] Years of work within a congregation – building new membership, maturing the faith and knowledge of these – will one day be revealed by the fire of Judgment Day. [2 Corinthians 5:10] Here is where the fearsome responsibility of Christian “teachers” is manifest in the judgment. [James 3:1-3]

133

The Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by fire: Those who build on the Christine foundation are elders. It is these men who are responsible for growth and maturity in the Church. [Ephesians 4:11-16] As teachers they will bear a “heavier responsibility.” [James 3:1-3] The fire of Judgment Day will reveal a man’s work. [Hebrews 10:26-31] Was it built on Christ with “gold, silver, jewels”? [Compare Proverbs 2:1-4]

134

The Fire itself will test each one’s type of work: Or, KJV: the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is; GDS: the fire will test the quality of everyone’s work. The Greek is literally, “sort of” or type of work. If a congregation elder’s work was based on worldly wisdom, the doctrines of men or demons, or sectarian in nature [replacing Christ with a human leader], the result will be disastrous. Jesus foretold such teachers. [Matthew 24:4, 11; Mark 13:22, 23; Luke 21:8] Paul warns about them right in his letters to the Corinthians. [2 Corinthians 11:3, 4, 13-15; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12] Peter and John do the same. [2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1]

1CO3:14 If anyone’s work built on [the foundation] remains, they will receive a reward. 135

135

They will receive a reward: On more than one occasion Paul compares those disciples he introduced to Christ as a reward. [1 Corinthians 9:17; Philippians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:19] Paul follows this “reward” with a contrast to the one who “suffers loss.” The idea may echo the Nazarene’s parable of the four stewards at Luke 12:42-48. [Ezekiel 3:19] The moral in both Jesus and Paul is the responsibility of those put in charge of something. Compare also Matthew 7:21-27. On “fire” see Hebrews 10:26-31. [Jude 23] On “reward” compare Matthew 5:46; 6:1, 2, 5, 16; 2 John 8.

1CO3:15 If anyone’s work is consumed, they will suffer loss, but that person will be saved – yet as though through fire.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 – You Are God’s Temple!

1CO3:16 Are you not aware that you are God’s Divine Habitat, 136 and that the Pneuma of The God dwells in all of you? 137

136

Are you not aware that you are God’s Divine Habitat: Or, CON: God’s temple; MON: God’s sanctuary. Paul must have previously taught them the truth that the Congregation or Body of Christ is God’s Temple. Paul writes elsewhere regarding this truth, [1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 3:6] as does Peter and Jesus himself. [1 Peter 2:5; Revelation 3:12] The Greek for “Divine Habitat” is NAOS [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #3485, shrine where a god resides]. Paul has already compared the Church to “God’s Building.” [1 Corinthians 3:9] For details see Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #3485 else where in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.

137

The Pneuma of The God dwells in all of you: Or, Spirit, the Divine Mind. Some versions add the masculine “his” while PNEUMA is feminine. Or, home in you; a shrine wherein God’s Spirit dwells. The Greek “you” [HUMIN] is plural and so Paul means the entire Church, or God’s Temple, not the individual. [Ephesians 2:22] How does God’s sacred Pneuma dwell or reside in the Church or Congregation? In several ways the mental pressure of the Divine Mind functions within the Church as a Body: a] by means of the operations of God’s Pneuma as described in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; b] through the Spirit-appointment of qualified elders [Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11-16]; c] by the possession of Christ’s “mind” within individual church members [Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:16]; and, d] by the powerful in-working of the Word of God. [Hebrews 4:12, 13] If human, worldly thinking prevails in the Church then God’s Spirit is “grieved.” [1 Corinthians 2:12-16; Ephesians 4:30; Isaiah 63:10]

1CO3:17 If anyone attempts to corrupt God’s Divine Habitat, The God will corrupt this person. 138 Because God’s Divine Habitat is holy, 139 which you are.

138

If anyone attempts to corrupt God’s Divine Habitat, The God will corrupt this person: Or, defile, desecrates, ruin. This would seem to refer less to outside persecution, and more to an interior fermentation or corruption. Jesus foretold such. [Matthew 13:33] Paul is aware this is taking place within the Corinthian Church. [1 Corinthians 1:10, 11; 3:1-3; 5:6-13; 11:30; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 12:20, 21] The Greek language here [PHTHEIREI PHTHEREI TOUTON] is very similar to Revelation 11:18, DIAPHTHEIRAI KAI TOUS DIAPHTHEIRONTAS. Though God’s Temple is the Body of Christ, individual members may introduce corrupting influences, like leaven. Judging from Paul’s letter this may include moral, church order, or doctrinal corruption. It is interesting that after a visit to the Corinthian congregation Paul is later to warn the Ephesian elders, “I realize that after my departure savage wolves will enter among you, doing damage to the flock. Even, right here, men from among yourselves, will arise, speaking twisted and false doctrines, in order to lead astray disciples to follow them.” [Acts 20:29, 30 NCMM]

139

God’s Divine Habitat is holy: Or, sacred. God’s Temple [NAOS] must remain holy if He is to continue to reside there. The English “holy” from the Hebrew QODHESH infers separateness, exclusiveness, sanctification or something set aside for God’s service. The Greek is HAGIOS and also means a separation unto God and the perfection of an individual’s Christian walk and life-style. Therefore anyone who resides or comprises this spiritual Temple must be characterized by holiness. Indeed, such are called “saints” or “holy ones.” Paul’s uses the Greek word group 13 times in 1 Corinthians, and 8 times in 2 Corinthians. Compare 2 Corinthians 7:1 with 1 Peter 1:14-16.

1 Corinthians 3:18-20 – Worldly Wisdom Is Foolish

1CO3:18 Let no one deceive themselves. 140 If any one in your midst supposes 141 themselves wise in this period of time, 142 let such person become a moron, 143 so that they may become wise. 144

140

Let no one deceive themselves: Or, PME: let no one be under any illusion; NJB: there is no room for self-delusion. Paul now addresses those, likely including elders, who have deluded themselves with justification and rationalization. He has not left his theme of worldly wisdom and how it causes disunity.

141

If any one in your midst supposes: This may be a single person, or a group, but someone has appointed themselves as the “worldly” authority in the congregation. Judging from those Paul describes as HYPERLIAN APOSTOLON [superfine apostles; extra-special messengers] in his second letter, Paul is aware of this problem causing disunity and the sectarian spirit in the congregation. Possibly it is caused by someone like the Diotrephes of 3 John 9 [either as an individual or a group], desirous of authority and filled with jealous ambition. [Romans 12:3; Galatians 5:15, 26] Such men are not above using the political power of the moment to control a congregation.

142	Wise in this period of time: Or, KJV: wise in this world; GDS: imagines that he is wiser than the rest of you in what the world calls wisdom; MON: wise in philosophy of the present age. [Proverbs 3:7; Galatians 6:3]

143	Let such person become a moron: Or, fool. The Greek is MOROS. What Paul recommends is nearly impossible for a prideful and ambitious person. David was not above doing this when it served God’s purpose. [1 Samuel 21:12-15]

144

That they may become wise: Such jealous ambitious men, wrapped up in their pride, will never attain godly wisdom unless they humble themselves to the level of the fool. When such a person can reject the glory and honor of men and accept the ridicule and chiding of others, then perhaps [PERHAPS] true wisdom is attainable.

1CO3:19 Because the wisdom of this present social order of humanity 145 is foolishness to The God. 146 For it has been written, “He is the One catching the wise in their craftiness.” 147 [Job 5:13]

145

The wisdom of this present social order of humanity: Or, this world’s wisdom; worldly wisdom. See notes elsewhere on KOSMOS [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #2889]. The “world” is under the authority of the Wicked One [1 John 5:19] and serves its god. [2 Corinthians 4:4] Both the Greek and Roman worlds were still much in love with Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle and no truly wise person could claim such without a thoroughgoing education in these philosophies.

146	Is foolishness to The God: Compare the notes on 1 Corinthians 1:20.

147	He is the One catching the wise in their craftiness: Paul quotes Job 5:13, which is the reply of Eliphaz to Job, an interesting use of one who considered himself wise. [Jeremiah 49:7]

1CO3:20 And, again, “YHWH knows that the reasonings of the wise are vain.” 148[Psalm 94:11]

148	YHWH knows that the reasonings of the wise are vain: Paul quotes Psalm 94:11. The Hebrew Text [and likely the original LXX] contains the Tetragram [YHWH]. Here KYRIOS is without the article suggesting the original used YHWH. Most versions incorrectly use “The Lord…”

1 Corinthians 3:21-23 – You Belong to Christ

1CO3:21 Therefore, let no one boast in humans. 149 For everything is yours. 150

149

Let no one boast in humans: Or, KJV: let no man glory in men. Here is the fundamental problem – their focus is on human leaders, living or dead. Some of these have been mentioned: Paul, Apollos, and Peter. Judging from what Paul has already written there were political forces at work that focused, not on Christ, but on human teachers.

150

For everything is yours: Or, KJV: for all things are yours; PME: everything belongs to you. The phrase is repeated at the end of 1 Corinthians 3:22. In the next verse some of these “things” are listed. [Compare 1 Corinthians 4:15] First Paul lists three of the persons around which the congregation had polarized: Paul, Apollos, and Cephas [Peter]. These three had been described as “ministers” [or, servants]. [1 Corinthians 3:5] Thus, these three “belonged to” the whole congregation as instruments of God, and not uniquely to some clique or schism within the congregation. The Messiah’s request for the nations as his inheritance [Psalm 2:8] shows that ‘everything is his’. The Saints are joint heirs with the Christ and so “everything is (theirs)” as earth’s future government. [Romans 8:17; Daniel 7:27; 1 Corinthians 6:2] With such a promise it is inappropriate the debate in the congregation about who belongs to whom – “I belong to Paul…” [1 Corinthians 1:12]

1CO3:22 Whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas 151 or the social order of humanity or life or death or things present or things future – everything is yours. 152

151	Paul or Apollos or Cephas: Compare 1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4, 5. The benefits of each of these men was intended for all in the congregation, not to just a schism polarized around one of these personalities and their teachings.

152

Everything is yours: Paul lists the world [the whole social order of humankind] over which the Saints will rule. [Daniel 7:27; 1 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 2:5-16] He next lists “life or death.” The Church, through Christ, has been given everlasting life and thus Hades can have no victory over it. [Matthew 16:18] The Church will share in the judgment of mankind and in doing so exercise a king’s authority over life or death. [Revelation 20:4, 13, 14] Paul lists also the present and future as also belonging to the Saints. In the present the grand commission of the Church is the spreading of the Gospel – the invitation that yet thousands more may inherit the promises and blessings of the Church. [Romans 10:10, 14, 15; Ephesians 3:9, 10] The future in the New Age to come will be under the influence of the Church as an example of God’s Grace to all humanity. [Ephesians 1:19-23; 2:1-7]

1CO3:23 But, all of you are Christ’s, 153 and Christ is God’s. 154

153	You are Christ’s: The Church is Christ’s as his Bride. [Ephesians 5:23-27, 30, 30; John 17:9] The literal Greek is HUMEIS… CHRISTOU, or “you [plural] of Christ.” [1 Corinthians 15:23; 2 Corinthians 10:7]

154	Christ is God’s: Or, Christ belongs to God. Christ has his origin from a Divine Source, just as all other created beings. It cannot be stated, “God is Christ’s.” [1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 2:11]

Review Questions on Chapter Three

Summary of Chapter Three

Paul continues his attack against the Corinthian disunity by a stern rebuke of their infantile and fleshly disposition. [3:1-9] He then draws on the analogy of a builder and a foundation. He stresses there is but one foundation – Jesus Christ. [3:10-15] He then goes further to compare the Church to God’s Temple and warns of the danger to anyone who would defile or desecrate that holy sanctuary. [3:16, 17] He then resumes his attack on the foolishness of worldly, or Greek philosophic wisdom – it is foolishness to God. It has no place in God’s Temple of holiness. [3:18-20] Paul concludes with something of an encouragement in assuring them that they “belong to Christ” and everything belongs to the Church. Members of the Church should not belong to Paul, or Apollos, or Peter – but rather Christ. [3:21-23]