1 Corinthians

We probably all know what an oxymoron is; it's a figure of speech with apparently contradictory terms joined together.  For example:

• Original copy
• Alone together
• Honest politician

By definition an original isn't a copy and a copy isn't an original.  Being alone doesn't involve being together with someone; otherwise, you're not alone.  And an honest politician, well you get the point.

Paul speaks of an oxymoron in the church of Corinth; the carnal christian.  To be carnal is to be of the flesh, defined and driven by fleshly things.  But a Christian is born again in the spirit; they have died to themselves – putting to death the things of the flesh.  If these things are so, is there really such a thing as carnal christians? 

1 Corinthians 3:1

It seems Paul continues to turn up the heat to make his point.  As we ended chapter two, Paul stated that spiritual things are discerned by the spirit; the natural (or carnal) man is not equipped to receive spiritual things.  As a believer, we have the mind of Christ and are equipped with the Spirit for spiritual things.  We don't necessarily feel different or understand how that works, but it is nonetheless true.  There may have been some in the church of Corinth that were simply ignorant of spiritual things; not understanding that we no longer live in the flesh and for the flesh.  

It's a good time to be reminded that Paul speaks to these folks at Corinth as believers, referring to them again as 'brethren' in verse one.  There is no reason to think that's changed.  Here he speaks to these carnal people and refers to them as babes in Christ.  A babe in Christ is one born again, but very much defined and motivated by the flesh; thoughts, habits, language, etc.  These are the things God works on as he begins to sanctify us.  However, every believer must be surrendered to this process. We must be intentional about it; it doesn't come naturally.

While there were likely sound believers, Paul characterizes this church as having rejected or stifled the sanctification process by holding onto the flesh and the things of the world.  Paul was disappointed that they had not listened to what he had taught them.  Their rejection of his message proves his point.  His message to them wasn't anything elaborate or hard to grasp.  He didn't come to them with intellectual speech or difficult principals, but he came simply with the gospel, preaching Christ crucified.  

The gospel message is a simple message and once it is received it leads to the deep things of God.  Paul expected to see evidence of growth from these folks and to be able to teach them the deeper things of God.  What he found though were folks that were believers that had never stepped forward and let the Spirit teach them.  They had received the milk of the word:

2 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, ² as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (1 Peter 2:1-3)

Paul gave them the milk and stood ready to move them to solid food, but knew they would choke on it.  They had never advanced from the solid food.  When do you plan on growing up saints of Corinth?  When Paul had seen them last, they weren't able to receive it.  Now, sometime later, they still can't receive it because they were still carnal, they were still natural.  Their life in Christ was stagnant, based on a previous experience; it wasn't vibrant, alive and growing like a relationship ought to. 

The old adage 'you are what you eat' applies here.  The Corinthians were partaking of the things of the world on a regular basis.  We can see the same thing today.  People consume hours of television, sports, news and internet.  They commit little to nothing to their relationship with the Lord.  Then wonder why their life is a mess.  The Corinthians were convinced the answers to life were found in their equivalent to TV, news and internet.

Our faith is life changing and its new life because you have surrendered the old life.  It's not an insurance policy against bad luck or a bad lot in life.  You can't take it and put it away in case you want to use it someday.  We are to be filled with the living and active word that guides the steps our lives.  Then when those who are Christ like gather, they look like the body of Christ.

Paul told them if you want deep things, come and get them, they are right before them.  It seems they were not stepping forward because they wanted to pursue the deep things they thought would be found in the world.  They wanted to explore great mysteries of life. They wanted the answers to the questions that everyone asks deep in their soul.  Paul had to remind them that the wisdom of God searches all things, even the deep things.  Can you imagine the mindset of these Christian men and women who didn't understand that God had the capacity for deep things?  That's astounding!

²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (Romans 8:12) 

¹⁵ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. ¹⁷ And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.  (1 John 2:15)

Paul wasn't seeing maturity in this body of believers.  There was an expectation or trajectory of growth among them; they were stunted, stagnant and not moving.  Paul asked, 'How long will you remain a baby Christian?'  There was envy, strife, and divisions among them.  Could they really make the case they were seeking after the deep things of the Lord while they were consumed with envy, strife and divisions?  These things indicated carnality among them.  Something is seriously wrong.  Carnality is not a choice it's a condition.  In this Carnal state they were lacking discipline and commitment to the Lord or maybe both.  They were divided, following men, some saying they were of Paul and another group of Apollos. Paul expected them to be the family of God, sons and daughters of the Most High; helping each other, encouraging, exhorting, discipling, praying, loving, caring and growing. 

Worldly wisdom had stunted their growth.  Paul asked if they are not carnal, it is a rhetorical question that was already answered.  The question is, could they see it and comprehend it?

1 Corinthians 3:5-8 
Paul expands on his summation that the sects of Corinth were carnal.  Who is Paul and Apollos?  They were simply servants (diakonos) of the Lord.  Not one of these Corinthians believers found their salvation in Paul.  No one could look to Apollos as having done anything to do with their salvation.  Paul and Apollos, and others were merely tools used by God.  They were mere men called to proclaim the gospel.  These saints of Corinth heard the message through these men but were saved by the Lord. Paul uses a farming analogy to make his point.  He planted; yes, he planted the church.  Apollos watered; yes, he was apparently there discipling the saints.  However, God is the one who gave the increase.

The planter and the waterer are just men, fellow servants of the master.  Both are doing what they were called to, being faithful in their gift.  The waterer can't be envious of the planter and vice versa, just do what you were called to do and each of us will receive his own reward according to their labor.  God has assigned each of us a task – a task of service to the Lord, for His glory.  You weren't to be enamored by the planter or envious of the waterer.  While some roles are more visible, not one gift is not greater than another.  No one attains a higher rank or status by following a servant perceived as higher rank.  It was the Corinthians, in the world's wisdom that created a ranking of importance.

Our culture today is no different.  We find celebrity pastors who use their following to offer their opinion on worldly things.  We hold worship leaders and bands up as celebrities.  The opinion of a movie star regarding politics, war, taxes and moral issues carries weight in the culture.  Some that can hit a baseball or throw a football are paid millions and their opinions about history, politics or health issues are held up as authoritative over our life.  Status and merit carry weight in the world.  We all have the same status in God's kingdom.

1 Corinthians 3:9
I remember many years (over 50) ago dad built a dune buggy in our garage.  I was probably 8 years old.  I remember that I was a great help to dad; I'm guessing dad had a different memory of that.  I know now that Dad didn't need me at all – he let me help.  He was investing time in me, growing me, training me.  I learned mechanical things, but also listening to my master.  Focus and commitment.  Always doing your best, and that 'good enough' was always an indication of compromise. 

Our work for our Heavenly Father is very similar.  We get in the way and mess things up but he lets us help anyway.  It is him investing in us to grow our relationship, maturity and commitment, among other things.  The church of Corinth was God's field; a spiritual field to grow disciples and see them come to maturity.  The New Testament sometimes calls this maturity perfection; this perfection is a completeness, where our faith invades and permeates every aspect of our life.  If we, as a spiritual field, yield only worldly stuff, then the field has no spiritual value. 

When there are divisions and strife, it shows we aren't aligned with God's plan or we aren't serving the same master.  The Corinthians were the field in which Paul and Apollos served.  He offers another analogy, that of a building that is under construction.

1 Corinthians 3:10-11

Our previous neighborhood had many beautiful homes.  The older part had nice brick family homes.  They were building newer homes of a different style.  Right in the middle of this nice subdivision was a vacant home that stands as a reminder of how important the foundation is.  One side of the brick had gaping cracks.  The doors and windows were no longer square as one side of the house had shifted.  The garage door sat at an angle; the roofline was off.  They spent thousands on this home attempting to repair it.  No amount of work could adequately put a solid foundation under an existing structure.  It's so important to have a good foundation before you build. 

⁴ Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, ⁵ you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,

"Behold, I lay in Zion

A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,

And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." (1 Peter 2:4-6)

The Corinthians were living stones with which God used to build a spiritual house.  This place of service to God was founded on Jesus Christ; He is the chief cornerstone.  And if Jesus isn't the cornerstone upon which all is built, then He is the stumbling stone upon which all will stumble. 

Paul was called by God's grace to lay the foundation for this church of Corinth.  He did this by bringing the gospel message to them.  This wasn't of some great and wise work of Paul; it wasn't of his own power or strength or wisdom.  It was God letting him help.  Paul was quick to point out that the only real foundation was Jesus Christ.  A master builder could lay the perfect foundation, but anyone can come along and throw any building on it.  And while others may build on it, they needed to be careful.  You can't put the wrong building on the right foundation; as you can't put the right building on the wrong foundation.  You start with the correct foundation and then build the building that fits the foundation on all sides.

These other men causing division couldn't come in behind Paul and try to build a church based on worldliness on a foundation of Jesus Christ.  It was a mismatch and it wouldn't work.  It was the square peg in the round hole, the building just wouldn't stand.  This project was the building of the church.  It wasn't a physical building, but a spiritual building; a fellowship of believers.  The strong foundation wasn't built to hold up gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw.  This are things that will burn away on a spiritual foundation.    

The spiritual building was built on spiritual things.  The believers were called to disciple others who came, to build them up, let them help and grow.  The enduring work of the church is to mature and bring new believers to maturity in Christ.  It's been said that healthy sheep reproduce and create more healthy sheep.  The fires of judgment will test work.  While the improperly built building will burn, those who build with worldly things will survive, but only by narrow escape.   The enduring work will receive a reward.   In Paul's analogy, the builders who built a house that didn't stand won't receive payment.  Their reward will be salvation; a narrow escape from judgment.  Paul paints the picture of one singed and scorched, realizing their mistake and waste when it was too late.  A day would come when many would understand the loss of opportunity to have properly served and receive a reward. 

Be aware of the building materials you are using.  It's not about the amount of work but of what sort it is.  It's about serving as the master directs.    

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

You are the temple of God.  The 'You' here is talking about this Church.  They were the temple of God.  The temple was the place where you met God, although God is everywhere, it represents the place where God resides.  When a body of believers are gathered together and functioning in the correct way, they are the temple of God.  Jesus told Peter the church would be built on Christ, the living God and that it would stand up to the gates of hell that would come against it (Matthew 16:18).

A church in pursuit of wealth, fame and making a name for themselves could not be a healthy temple and is a building that would not prevail.  Look at the tabernacle built at the mountain of God in Exodus.  It was humble and not built to impress men.  There was nothing to catch the eye of man.  Yet, on the inside, it was vastly different.  The beautiful things of God were present.  The ministering work of God was happening.   The temple was where man met God and God met man.  While God is everywhere, the temple is a picture of God's dwelling place. 

Paul then said something frightening," Anyone defiling the temple will be destroyed."  Anyone defiling the church of Jesus Christ will be destroyed.  This defiling was 'to corrupt or damage' something in even the slightest way.  Everything in the temple was in order and in its place.  When something was out of order or out of place the temple was defiled.

 In Corinth, things were out of order.  They were in disarray.  They were to be the temple, the dwelling place of God, but God won't dwell in a place that has been defiled.  They needed to clean things up and return to purity and the holiness.

1 Corinthians 3:18-23
Anyone can be deceived.  To think yourself immune from this proves that you are already under deception. 

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the Lord and depart from evil. (Proverbs 3:7)

But there are things we can to do guard against deception.  The 'age' Paul refers to is specifically an evil age.  To think that you've conquered this evil age and that you will find a good life in it is to be fooled and acting a fool.  The enemy will draw you in, offer a way that seems right, then steal, kill, destroy and crush you.  There's an old proverb that says:

'He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool; avoid him. He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a wise man; teach him.'

God's economy is flipped from our natural understanding.  To be foolish in the world's eyes is to be wise in God's ways. 

• The world says you're a good person and the bible says there is no good in us. 
• The world says we deserve the best of everything.  God says, you don't want what you deserve.
• The world entices you to claw your way to the top and be served.  The Lord says if you want to be first, be a servant to all.  Be last. 
• The world subtly repeats the lie of Satan that you can be like God.  Jesus tells us to be like Him in dying to ourself, as if we died on the cross; pick up our cross daily and give ourself away.

To be a fool in the world's eyes is to understand my carnal inclination, my thinking, the ways that seem right to me are worldly.  My ideas, my plans, my philosophies, feelings and motivations are foolish in God's eyes.  To become wise with God, we rely on Him and His wisdom, rather than ourself.   

The precepts of God's wisdom and building on the foundation of Christ cannot be cheated.  There is no exception for you or anyone else.  You cannot fool God.  Those who think themselves wise will be brought down.  Their craftiness will become their own trap.

There is no room for boasting in men.  The Corinthians needed to stop with identifying with their favorite minister.  This comes in many different ways and means; some can be very subtle.   In time the list will expand to other men, other things both physical, emotional and spiritual.  Mankind so quickly places himself subject to the things of the world.  This sentence caught my eye as I studied:

These five items, "the world, life, death, the present, and the future," are the ultimate tyrannies of human existence, to which people are in lifelong bondage as slaves.  [Fee, G. D. (1987). The First Epistle to the Corinthians (p. 154). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.]

Every day we see people subjecting themselves to these tyrannies.  They struggle to meet the expectations of the world, they fear death, a today that does not bring happiness and a future they can't control.  We watched the world put itself in bondage to these things when Covid hit.

When Paul said, "All things are yours" he is pointing out that all the ministers are theirs, to be their teachers, to benefit and serve them.  They weren't to serve the ministers.  The servants belong to those being served, not the other way around.  The sheep of Corinth didn't belong to Paul, Apollos or anyone else; the apostles belonged to the flock.  All the teachings, bible studies, fellowships, experiences in life or death; the things of the past and the things of the present are all yours to experience and learn from.  God uses all the good and bad, even an evil past, to build His temple in us.  All things are yours and you are Christ's.  Together, we all serve with the Lord Jesus.  As we are Christ's, Christ is God's.  Paul is trying to change the, "I belong to Apollos" or anyone else into, "I belong to Christ alone."

©2006, 2010, 2016, 2022 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater