First Corinthians Chapter 3

Transcription

1 First Corinthians Chapter 3 1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ - RSV.. 1 But I, brethren, could not address you as spiritual men, but as men of the flesh, as babes in Christ. o This verse. again turns our thoughts from the one proclaiming God s inspired word to those hearing it and the responsibility attached to that hearing. He recognizes and mentioned their knowledge in chapter one. 1 Cor. 1: I give thanks to God always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him with all speech and all knowledge 6 even as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ; RSV In verse six of chapter 2 we are told that he speaks wisdom among them that are perfect (full grown or mature). In other words.. hopefully, to those who had advanced beyond first principles to a higher comprehension and insight to the duties, privileges, responsibilities and blessings of the faith. They hear him! o But verse one also makes us very aware that not all were as spiritually minded as one might expect. This shouldn t surprise us.. Jesus even recognized this same problem with His own disciples. John 16: I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. RSV 1

2 They were not growing spiritually as Paul thought they should have consequently he chides them with the remark about being 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; - We all start at the same place in our Christian walk.. as babes or in other words ---- immature. o What does Paul mean.. I fed you milk? Heb. 6:1-2.. Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. NIV He says go on to maturity this was the problem.. they were not maturing in the faith. The rule is use it or loose it... Luke 19: I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. RSV o What does Paul mean by the term solid food. Heb. 5: About this we have much to say which is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need some one to teach you again the first principles of God s word. You need milk, not solid food; 13 for every one who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their faculties trained by practice to distinguish good from evil. RSV o Meat or solid food is for the mature meat or solid food is advanced learning and understanding about the many deep truths of God s word that help us 2

3 grow, make us able to carry burdens and responsibilities while at the same time encouraging and reaching out to others. The Bible exposition commentary.. gives this good advice It is important that we preach the Gospel to the lost; but it is also important that we interpret the Gospel to the saved. The entire New Testament is an interpretation and application of the Gospel. Paul did not write Romans, for example, to tell the Romans how to be saved for they were already saints. He wrote to explain to them what was really involved in their salvation. It was an explanation of the deep things of God and how they applied to daily life. Eph. 4:11-16 tells how and from who we receive the ability to mature.. 11 And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love. RSV o even now you are still not able This describes a state that was completely uncalled for. By this time they should have been well on their way to Christian maturity. 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? o Carnal. Coffman/Russell.. gives the thought behind this word. 3

4 Paul by this word did not deny that the Corinthians were Christians; they were still "brethren"; but their lives were marred by serious failures. Russell declared that Paul used this word, Not in the modern meaning of "sensual," but as meaning earthly secular, worldly, having the worldly spirit of partisan strife, like (some) politicians rather than Christian disciples. o The proof of their carnality was their actions.. envy, strife, and divisions among you. 4 For when one says, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos, are you not carnal? Gal. 5: Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. RSV o Maturity and spirituality is the cure to the problem. Gal. 5: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. RSV This type of growth.. kills (crucifies) the works of the flesh and is a part of our maturing process in the faith. Gal. 5: If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. RSV o I believe the NLT gives the right thought 3 for you are still controlled by your own sinful desires. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn t that prove you are controlled by your own desires? You are acting like people who don t belong to the Lord. 4

5 Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible. Note, Contentions and quarrels about religion are sad evidences of remaining carnality. True religion makes men peaceable and not contentious. Factious spirits act upon human principles, not upon principles of true religion; they are guided by their own pride and passions, and not by the rules of Christianity: 5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? - There was no contention, competition or envy displayed by either Paul or Apollos toward one another. o They had the highest regard for each other. They were members of the same family. the family of God. (On the same team if you will) o Their gifts were from the Lord and because of that.. they had no room for boosting. Heb. 2:1-4 1 Therefore we must pay the closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his own will. RSV o The word that is translated ministers here in verse 5.. is variously translated in the NT as servant, minister or deacon. They were only the servants or instruments through whom the Corinthians believed but only the Lord could save them. 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. 5

6 - Paul was the one to first plant the seed of the kingdom in Corinth. or in other words he was the first to preach the word of God to them. o For this reason.. Paul says that he planted or started the church in Corinth. Rom. 15: Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, 16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient 19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man s foundation, 21 but as it is written: To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand. RSV - Apollos followed. by teaching, preaching and encouraging them. consequently he watered. o Others most assuredly followed Apollos. because seed does not grow and increase unless it is continually cultivated and watered. Teaching, love, prayer and exhortation are an on going need in the church.. and there is no such thing as isolated ministry (no one man can do all the necessary work). Each of us has an influence on others and we need to support and encourage each other in the many different works carried out in the body. (1 Cor. Chapter 12) 6

7 o That s also the reason the church and its functionaries exist. to build up the body to a state of maturity in truth and love. (Eph. 4:10-16) Eph. 4:12 13 in particular 12 to prepare God s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. NIV - But God gave the increase God alone produces the results. o It was God who gave life to their efforts. It is wrong and divisive to center attention on the servants. Instead we need to look to the Lord of the harvest, the source of all blessing. John MacArthur. No man, not even the best farmer or the best horticulturist, can give physical life or growth to a plant. How much less can anyone, even an apostle, give spiritual life or growth to a person. The most that men can do in either case is to prepare and water the soil and to plant the seeds. The rest is up to God. Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. The human instrument is not anything but a tool. All the honor for the accomplishment goes to God. o Isaiah 55: For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall do that which I please, and it shall accomplish that for which I send it Darby Bible 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 7

8 - Paul, Apollos, and Peter were not competing with each other instead each was doing his assigned task under the lordship of Jesus Christ. (They complimented each other.) o They both. taught and preached the same doctrine. o They both. promoted the Glory of God in the salvation of souls won through the gospel. o They were. intimately jointed in one spirit, design, purpose and operation. o Why should you then.. be divided in respect to these men? - and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. o Adam Clarke makes this good comment God does not reward His servants according to the success of their labors, because that depends on himself; but He rewards them according to the quantum of faithful labor which they bestow on His work. o Burton Coffman.. According to his own labor... reveals that the gospel preacher's reward will be measured according to his work, and not according to his success. The injunction of God is not that men shall go and "convert" all nations, but that they shall "preach the gospel to the whole creation." o John MacArthur.. God does not fail to recognize the faithful work of His servants. Each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. God will give their reward to [His] bond servants the prophets and to the saints and to those who fear [His] name, the small and the great (Rev. 11:18). That is the uniqueness of future glory. God rewards on the basis of labor, not success or results. A missionary may work faithfully for 40 years and see only a handful of converts. Another may work far fewer years and see far more converts. Jeremiah was one of God s most faithful and dedicated prophets, yet he saw little result of his ministry. He was ridiculed, persecuted, and generally rejected along with the message he preached. Jonah, on the other hand, was petty and unwilling, yet through him God won the entire city of Nineveh in one brief campaign. Our usefulness and effectiveness are purely by God s grace (cf. 1 Cor. 15:10). It is appropriate that God s faithful servants be appreciated and encouraged while they are on earth. But they are not to be glorified, set apart, or made the center of special groups or movements. 8

9 9 For we are God s fellow workers; you are God s field, you are God s building. - Paul and Apollos were God s fellow workers because they were both preaching and teaching as God directed them through the Spirit. o They worked in the service of God as His ministers or ambassadors. o It was God s church (field or building) not Paul s or Apollos s or Peter s. That field or church had been planted with His seed (the word of God) which was then cultivated and nourished by his servants. John 15:1-6.. I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned ASV o And the glory for all the good work done was His alone because He both planned and provided for the church. His servants just executed His plan. - God s fellow workers 2 Cor. 5:20 6:2 20 We are therefore Christ s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Chapter 6:1-2 As God s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God s grace in vain. 2 For he says, In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of God s favor, now is the day of salvation. NIV 9

10 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. - The transition from field to building is now made. o Paul is described here as a wise master builder. God was the designer and planner of the building or the church but Paul executed the plan of God that was entrusted to him. His message from the beginning at Corinth was: 1Cor. 2: And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. NKJV o God placed the apostles in a unique position in the establishment of the church.. Eph. 2: So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. RSV o And he says.. and another builds on it. Just as Paul planted and Apollos watered others would continue in building the church. 2 Tim. 2: You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. NKJV 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. 10

11 - - Isaiah 28: Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I lay for foundation in Zion a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation: he that trusteth shall not make haste Darby Bible - 1 Peter 2:6-8 6 Because it is contained in the scripture: Behold, I lay in Zion a corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be put to shame. 7 To you therefore who believe is the preciousness; but to the disobedient, the stone which the builders cast away as worthless, this is become head of the corner, 8 and a stone of stumbling and rock of offence; who stumble at the word, being disobedient to which also they have been appointed Darby Bible - Matthew 16: Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, Who do men say that the Son of man is? 14 And they said, Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. 15 He said to them, But who do you say that I am? 16 Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. RSV o The admonition concerning their taking heed on how they built on the foundation was because there was only one legitimate foundation to build on. Paul s work was to establish the church at Corinth under God s direction on the one foundation of Jesus Christ and to teach them to continuing building upon that one foundation. The so called Great Commission is a perpetual command Matthew 28: And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. RSV 11

12 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, - This verse has been interrupted in several ways. and no single view is completely satisfying to me. o Some see. these materials exclusively as teachers or ministers. o Some see. only two classes of doctrine. o And some see. these materials only as two classes of people. - Again there is only one foundation for all builders to build upon. o To me.. I first see the totality of individual men in light of their character as well as how they act, what they say, teach, and believe. - The church or temple will also be seen in light of its character. o And.. that character will be developed in its members as they are molded in the image of Christ as well as following the apostles doctrine (teaching). Acts 2:42 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. RSV Gal. 4: My little children, with whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you! RSV John 13: A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. KJV - B.W. Johnson.. sums it up this way.. If this material be precious and imperishable, if apostolic doctrines and men molded into the image of Christ be this material, it is well. If erroneous doctrines and unstable men, wood, hay, stubble, this will all be revealed in due time. 12

13 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. - The day. some see this as a day of terrible persecution such as the fiery trial of... 1Peter 4:12 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. RSV - Some such as Adam Clarke says this refers to the approaching destruction of Jerusalem. (70A.D.) - However. most see The day.. as Judgment day 2Thess. 1:7.. 7 and to grant rest with us to you who are afflicted, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, RSV - Only Judgment day. will reveal the true and solid elements of the temple and reward the appropriate builders. o Each builders work will be made manifest at that time. Revealed by fire.. As fire destroys wood, hay, stubble, but leaves gold, silver, precious stones, so the work of some builders (those who are unskillful or unwise), when tested will be judged unworthy while others work (the faithful) will remain purified because their work has stood the test. In other words.. the kind of work that every builder does will be known. Paul spent a year and a half in Corinth. (Acts 18:11) He taught, warned and admonished.all Christians in every place. Example.. the Ephesian elders: Acts 20: Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away 13

14 disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. KJV Paul did all he could do.. and yet, even some of those very elders he spoke to, would end up teaching false things and leading disciples after them. Consequently we see very clearly that the Apostles, teachers, and ministers, had a responsibility to teach the truth with all sincerity... but.. the hearers also had the responsibility of hearing, obeying, maturing and teaching others. - There will probably be many surprises. o Notice.. Matt. 25: Then the King will say to those at his right hand, Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. 37 Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? 38 And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? 39 And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee? 40 And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me. 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me. 44 Then they also will answer, Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee? 45 Then he will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me. 46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. RSV 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. (The theory of purgatory is partly based on these verses.) 14

15 - If the work done in building up the church remains.. the one involved in the work of building will receive a reward. o The parable of the soils.. teaches us how different people respond to the same gospel. Those converts who prove to be unworthy, or who are ineffectively taught (wood, hay, stubble) will weakening the church and the laborer or builder will lose his reward.. o Good soil, or material, as we have it here (should give all diligence or make every effort) 2Pet. 1: Therefore, brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; 11 so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. RSV - Paul says of his converts: o 2Cor. 3: You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. NKJV o 1Thes. 2: For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy. NKJV - These converts were the ground of his reward.. and if they proved to be unfaithful he would suffer loss but it would not effect his own salvation. o Yet. he also would undergo the same test by fire. - Paul has not left his theme of the first and second chapter. o He is again, in this chapter clearly warning this church, which he planted, against all types of false teachers that could corrupt and lead astray even the very elect. For that very reason he preached the truth of the gospel.. in all of its power and simplicity as he determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 15

16 16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? - Paul now expands on the illustration he gave in verse 9 of this chapter. o 9 For we are God s fellow workers; you are God s field, you are God s building. - As Burton Coffman says Of all the beautiful metaphors of God's church such as the bride of Christ, the vineyard of the Lord, the household of God, the pillar and ground of the truth, the spiritual body of Christ, and the flock of Christ, none is more beautiful or intriguing than "The Temple of God." - He goes on to say Christ's first announcement to his generation included the fact that "One greater than the temple is here!" (Matt. 12:6). While Christ was on earth, the true temple was "his body" (John 2:21); and after Pentecost, the true temple has been nothing other than the spiritual body of Christ. This was the element of Stephen's speech that so infuriated the religious partisans in Jerusalem that they mobbed him. - Barnes adds these thoughts Ye are the temple of God. This is to be understood of the community of Christians, or of the church, as being the place where God dwells on the earth. The idea is derived from the mode of speaking among the Jews, where they are said often in the Old Testament to be the temple and the habitation of God. And the allusion is probably to the fact that God dwelt by a visible symbol--the Shechinah--in the temple, and that his abode was there. As he dwelt there among the Jews--as he had there a temple, a dwelling place--so he dwells among Christians. They are his temple, the place of his abode. His residence is with them; and he is in their midst. This figure the apostle Paul several times uses, 1 Cor. 6:19; 2Co 6:16; Eph 2: A commentary, critical and explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments. 16. Know ye not It is no new thing I tell you, in calling you God s building ; ye know and ought to remember, ye are the noblest kind of building, the temple of God. ye all Christians form together one vast temple. The expression is not, ye are temples, but ye are the temple collectively, and lively stones (1Pe 2:5) individually. God Spirit God s indwelling, and that of the Holy Spirit, are one; therefore the Holy Spirit is God. No literal temple is recognized by the New Testament in the Christian Church. The only one is the spiritual temple, the whole body of believing worshippers in which the Holy Spirit dwells (1Co 6:19; Jn 4:23, 24). The synagogue, not the temple, was the model of the Christian house of worship. The temple was the house of sacrifice, rather than of prayer. Prayers 16

17 in the temple were silent and individual (Lu 1:10; 18:10 13), not joint and public, nor with reading of Scripture, as in the synagogue. The temple, as the name means (from a Greek root to dwell ), was the earthly dwelling-place of God, where alone He put His name. The synagogue (as the name means an assembly) was the place for assembling men. God now too has His earthly temple, not one of wood and stone, but the congregation of believers, the living stones on the spiritual house. Believers are all spiritual priests in it. Jesus Christ, our High Priest, has the only literal priesthood (Mal 1:11; Mt 18:20; 1Pe 2:5) [VITRINGA]. - Some believe that verse 16 refers to a non-miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit received at baptism. o But we need to take a look back. to their particular situation in the first century setting when the apostles and those who they laid hands had miraculous gifts. (Gifts were miraculous and hence the indwelling. Miraculous gifts were promised in Acts chapter 2 in fulfillment of Joel s prophecy and were indicative of what was spoken of in Mark 16:16 18.) Non-miraculous indwelling is basically a contradiction of terms. Miraculous gifts ended in the later part of the first century, but we must acknowledge there existence in the first century, and the language used that included them. See the situation through first century glasses. ) When Paul said that the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal (12:7), and there were miraculous manifestations in the assemblies as Chapter 12 and 14 show, what would the Corinthians understand the dwelling of the Spirit to mean in 3:16 and 6:19? (Franklin Camp The Work of the Holy Spirit in Redemption) Consider this statement by E.W. Bullinger from his book Word Studies on the Holy Spirit. Know ye not that ye are A TEMPLE (Sanctuary or Shrine) of God, and the pneuma of God dwelleth among you? The scope of this chapter is the one Body of God s building in contrast with the many bodies, fellowships, or communities, of man s making. These are said to be 17

18 carnal. The other is spiritual. When the Holy Spirit is spoken of as indwelling, the word body, or temple, is always in the singular. Believers are addressed collectively as being in Christ, builded together for AN HABITATION of God through the Spirit (Eph. 2:22). This building, being fitly framed together, growth unto AN HOLY TEMPLE in the Lord (v.21). The argument is here that if any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy: for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye (plural) are (v.17). The word rendered defile means to mar, to make of none effect by defiling it. The One Body is marred in the case of those who make other bodies or corporate fellowships. By these the unity of the Spirit is made of none effect; and thus, in a certain sense, (so far as they were concerned), destroyed. So that, here, it is the Holy Spirit, indwelling the spiritual body of Christ as a whole and filling the separate members of it with His gifts and by His power. 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. - He again returns to the figure of the temple to warn them of defiling or destroying the church. o A commentary, critical and explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments. As temporal death was the penalty of marring the material temple (Le 16:2; Da 5:2, 3, 30), so eternal death is the penalty of marring the spiritual temple the Church. The destroyers here (1Co 3:16, 17), are distinct from the unwise or unskilful builders (1Co 3:12, 15); the latter held fast the foundation (1Co 3:11), and, therefore, though they lose their work of superstructure and the special reward, yet they are themselves saved; the destroyers, on the contrary, assailed with false teaching the foundation, and so subvert the temple itself, and shall therefore be destroyed. 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. - We often deceive ourselves! 18

19 o He says.. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age or world 1Cor. 1: Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? RSV o John MacArthur makes this statement The human wisdom that is foolish is in the area of spiritual truth. Paul is not talking about such things as business, mathematics, science, or mechanics. We can be quite knowledgeable about those things without any special enlightenment from God. Where human wisdom becomes foolish and useless is in matters concerning God, salvation, and spiritual truth. Human wisdom has no way of discovering and understanding divine things. This is the main lesson to be learned from 1Cor. Chapter 2! (The mind of God was made known to inspired teachers. no other way for us to know God s will) - let him become a fool that he may become wise. o To receive the wisdom of the Gospel in all its simplicity might well be perceived by the world as foolishness. o Barnes puts it this way: Let him become a fool. (1.) Let him be willing to be regarded as a fool. (2.) Let him sincerely embrace this gospel, which will inevitably expose him to the charge of being a fool. (3.) Let all his earthly wisdom be esteemed in his own eyes as valueless and as folly in the great matters of salvation. That he may be wise. That he may have true wisdom--that which is of God. It is implied here, (1.) that the wisdom of this world will not make a man truly wise. 19

20 (2.) That a reputation for wisdom may contribute nothing to a man's true wisdom, but may stand in the way of it. (3.) That for such a man to embrace the gospel, it is necessary that he should be willing to cast away dependence on his own wisdom, and come with the temper of a child to the Saviour. (4.) That to do this will expose him to the charge of folly, and the derision of those who are wise in their own conceit. (5.) That true wisdom is found only in that science which teaches men to live unto God, and to be prepared for death and for heaven- -and that science is found only in the gospel. 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. - In other words.let him no longer think himself wise, but seek the true wisdom from God. o Gal. 6: Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. RSV - He then quotes Job 5:13 and Psa. 94:11.. to show that the God of creation is totally in charge of all the affairs of man concerning the church an our salvation. o The first step in a Christian s becoming truly wise is to recognize that his own human wisdom is foolishness. Our wisdom is but a reflection of the wisdom of this world.. which is foolishness before God. It is often. the product of intellectual pride and is the enemy of God s revelation. 20

21 The church must create an atmosphere in which the Word of God is honored and submitted to in which human opinion is never used to judge or qualify revelation. As far as the things of God are concerned.. Christians must be totally under the teaching of Scripture. 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.1 - The Corinthians gloried in men when they said. I am of Paul; I of Apollos; and I of Cephas. o He said.. let know one boast in men. These men.. were but servants or ministers of God. God and Christ alone were to be glorified. o However.. these men were fellow workers with God. The apostles, as well as some of those who received spiritual gifts were inspired teachers. The apostles revealed and confirmed God s word by the working of miracles to those who were seeking and willing to hear. - Paul says For all things are yours: o The revelation to man was for the good of all. They were to benefit from all the ministers that God provided to them for their learning. 1The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)

22 o They were not to be overly attached to any one of the ministers-apostles-teachers. They could benefit most by learning from all of them. - He then goes on to say.. or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come o or the world The believer can appreciate the world as no unbeliever can. We know where it came from, why it was made, why we are on it, and what its final destiny will be. We can sing with certainty as well as joy, This is my Father s world. And we are His heirs. John MacArthur o or life The term of our sojourn on earth, with all that it brings, is ours. Life is a mighty gift a great field in which to sow eternal seed. It is ours for two purposes being and doing, the culture of the new life within us and the promotion of our neighbor s wellbeing in these two directions life is our opportunity. For to me to live is Christ. (Phil 1:21) There are ways of promoting God s glory which are peculiar to this life, and which can never come to us again. David Lipscomb - J.W. Shepherd, Gospel Advocate Commentaries o or death That grim, horrid thing, whose face strikes terror to the stoutest heart, and whose icy grasp freezes the fountains of life that, too, becomes our servant, ministers to our advancement. To die is gain. (Phil. 1:21) It releases from pains, and toils, and conflicts, and limitations of this mortal state, and ushers us into the enjoyment of the eternal inheritance. David Lipscomb - J.W. Shepherd, Gospel Advocate Commentaries o or things present or things to come all are yours This can be summed up in these two verses. Rom. 8:28 28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. RSV Gal.4: But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba! Father! 7 So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir. RSV 22

23 o And you are Christ s, and Christ is God s. They belong to Christ. Heb. 1:2 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. RSV They were not Paul s, or Apollo s, or Cephas s. o and Christ is God s. o Mt 23: But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. RSV.. God is the ultimate end of all, even of Christ, His co-equal Son. 1Cor. 11:3.. 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. RSV 1Cor. 15: Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. NKJV Philippians 2: who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. RSV 23