1 Corinthians3
New American Standard
1And I, brothers and sisters, could not speak to you as spiritual people, but only as fleshly, as to infants in Christ.
2I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to consume it. But even now you are not yet able,
3for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like ordinary people?
4For when one person says, “I am with Paul,” and another, “I am with Apollos,” are you not ordinary people?
5What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one.
6I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.
7So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.
8Now the one who plants and the one who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
10According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each person must be careful how he builds on it.
11For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw,
13each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work.
14If anyone’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.
15If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire.
16Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
17If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.
18Take care that no one deceives himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.
19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sight of God. For it is written: “He is the one who catches the wise by their craftiness”;
20and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are useless.”
21So then, no one is to be boasting in people. For all things belong to you,
22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come; all things belong to you,
23and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Corinthians 3.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The Corinthians reproved for their contentions. (1–4). The true servants of Christ can do nothing without him. (5–9). He is the only foundation, and every one should take heed what he builds thereon. (10–15). The churches of Christ ought to be kept pure, and to be humble. (16, 17). And they should not glory in men, because ministers and all things else are theirs through Christ. (18–23).
vv1-4
The most simple truths of the gospel, as to man's sinfulness and God's mercy, repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, stated in the plainest language, suit the people better than deeper mysteries. Men may have much doctrinal knowledge, yet be mere beginners in the life of faith and experience. Contentions and quarrels about religion are sad evidences of carnality. True religion makes men peaceable, not contentious. But it is to be lamented, that many who should walk as Christians, live and act too much like other men. Many professors, and preachers also, show themselves to be yet carnal, by vain-glorious strife, eagerness for dispute, and readiness to despise and speak evil of others.
vv5-9
The ministers about whom the Corinthians contended, were only instruments used by God. We should not put ministers into the place of God. He that planteth and he that watereth are one, employed by one Master, trusted with the same revelation, busied in one work, and engaged in one design. They have their different gifts from one and the same Spirit, for the very same purposes; and should carry on the same design heartily. Those who work hardest shall fare best. Those who are most faithful shall have the greatest reward. They work together with God, in promoting the purposes of his glory, and the salvation of precious souls; and He who knows their work, will take care they do not labour in vain. They are employed in his husbandry and building; and He will carefully look over them.
vv10-15
The apostle was a wise master-builder; but the grace of God made him such. Spiritual pride is abominable; it is using the greatest favours of God, to feed our own vanity, and make idols of ourselves. But let every man take heed; there may be bad building on a good foundation. Nothing must be laid upon it, but what the foundation will bear, and what is of a piece with it. Let us not dare to join a merely human or a carnal life with a Divine faith, the corruption of sin with the profession of Christianity. Christ is a firm, abiding, and immovable Rock of ages, every way able to bear all the weight that God himself or the sinner can lay upon him; neither is there salvation in any other. Leave out the doctrine of his atonement, and there is no foundation for our hopes. But of those who rest on this foundation, there are two sorts. Some hold nothing but the truth as it is in Jesus, and preach nothing else. Others build on the good foundation what will not abide the test, when the day of trail comes. We may be mistaken in ourselves and others; but there is a day coming that will show our actions in the true light, without covering or disguise. Those who spread true and pure religion in all its branches, and whose work will abide in the great day, shall receive a reward. And how great! how much exceeding their deserts! There are others, whose corrupt opinions and doctrines, or vain inventions and usages in the worship of God, shall be made known, disowned, and rejected, in that day. This is plainly meant of a figurative fire, not of a real one; for what real fire can consume religious rites or doctrines? And it is to try every man's works, those of Paul and Apollos, as well as others. Let us consider the tendency of our undertakings, compare them with God's word, and judge ourselves, that we be not judged of the Lord.
Key Words
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγώ (egṓ): I, me
ἀδελφός (adelphós): a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α))
δύναμαι (dýnamai): to be able or possible
οὐ (ou): the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not
λαλέω (laléō): to talk, i.e. utter words
ὑμῖν (hymîn): to (with or by) you
ὡς (hōs): which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
πνευματικός (pneumatikós): non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (dæmoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious
ἀλλά (allá): properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 3Directly quoted in verse 19: 'He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.'
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Directly quoted in verse 20: 'The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.'
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Direct parallel regarding the metaphor of milk vs. strong meat for babes in Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The explicit factional slogans ('I am of Paul... Apollos') repeated from chapter 1.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Elaborates the building metaphor with Christ as the chief cornerstone and saints as the temple.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Exhortation to desire the sincere milk of the word, defining 'babes'.
Supported by John Calvin
Historical account of Apollos ministering in Achaia (Corinth) after Paul, watering what Paul planted.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Old Testament messianic foundation stone prophecy which Paul identifies here as Jesus Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Confirms believers collectively are the living temple of God wherein His Spirit dwells.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Defines 'envying, strife, and divisions' explicitly as works of the flesh (carnal).
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Prophetic image of testing, refining, and trying God's people through the fire.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Echoes 'all things are yours' through the supreme gift of God giving His Son.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Illustrates the reward given to faithful servants who build productively.
Supported by JFB
An Old Testament picture of being saved 'yet so as by fire' (a brand plucked out).
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels Paul's earlier critique of worldy wisdom being destroyed by God.
Supported by Matthew Poole