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Summary

1 Corinthians 3:1–4 – Immaturity and Jealousy

What happens: Paul calls them infants in Christ because of jealousy and strife. Their leader-claims show they are acting like the world.

What it means: Division reveals spiritual immaturity. God’s people are called to love and unity. Sinful rivalry opposes God’s holy purpose for the church.

1 Corinthians 3:5–9 – God Gives the Growth

What happens: Paul and Apollos are servants. One plants, another waters, but God gives the growth. They are God’s fellow workers; the church is God’s field and building.

What it means: All ministry is stewardship under God’s authority. Fruit comes from God’s power. This humbles leaders and frees the church from celebrity culture.

1 Corinthians 3:10–15 – Build on the One Foundation

What happens: Paul laid a foundation, which is Jesus Christ. Others build on it with materials that the final day will test by fire. Some works endure and gain reward; others burn up, though the builder is saved.

What it means: Christ is the only true foundation. God is just and will test our work. Quality matters: teach and serve in ways that align with Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:16–17 – God’s Temple and a Warning

What happens: The church is God’s temple and the Spirit lives among them. If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him.

What it means: God is holy and protects his people. Tearing down the church invites judgment. Unity and holiness are sacred duties.

1 Corinthians 3:18–23 – True Wisdom and True Belonging

What happens: Do not deceive yourselves with worldly wisdom. All things are yours, whether Paul, Apollos, Cephas, the world, life, death, the present, or the future. You belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

What it means: In Christ, believers have secure inheritance under God’s rule. Boasting in people is empty. God’s wisdom reorders values around Christ.

Application

  • Refuse jealous comparisons. Celebrate others’ roles and gifts.
  • Build every ministry on Jesus and his words; aim for work that lasts.
  • Protect church unity as a holy trust.
  • Seek God’s wisdom in Scripture rather than trends or popularity.

Bible

1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

6I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

7So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

8Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

9For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

10According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

14If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

18Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

20And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

21Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

22Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

23And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

← 1 Corinthians 21 Corinthians 4 →

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