#1670 1 Corinthians 3 Part 3 Self Deception

 

18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless.” 21 So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. 1 Corinthians 3: 18-23 LSB

1 Corinthians 3: 18-23

V. 18 Let no man deceive himself - You would think deception is an external thing, for who would want to be dishonest or lay a snare for their own self? Think about it though, you are never not a participant, even when someone else is trying to deceive you, you ultimately give assent to what they are telling you. Now it is not always our fault when we can't detect a lie. When I ask you, "did you take this item, or did you press the button?" And you answer, "No", well without seeing you do that it is difficult to know for sure. But, if I need to find out then I have to go through a series of other questions. Were you the only one there, did anyone else have access? Is the item on your person? My favorite is when there is a camera there, and it tells me a very different story then the one the person is saying, but that individual still insists that I should take their word over what my eyes can clearly see. Better still, their boss or a  member of Security has watched the footage with me, agreed that the person is clearly in the wrong, but while confronting them about it the individual is able to shake them by confidently insisting that reality is not reality. I have seen someone manipulated by a person breaking into tears and saying over and over again, "you gotta believe me." At that point, if you believe them, then they aren't the one deceiving you. 

…3Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil, 4in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a double-edged sword. 5Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to Sheol.…

…6She does not consider the path of life; she does not know that her ways are unstable. 7So now, my sons, listen to me, and do not turn aside from the words of my mouth. 8Keep your path far from her; do not go near the door of her house,… Proverbs 5: 3-8

…19And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” 20He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” Isaiah 44: 19-20

More on Isaiah 44

Let no man deceive himself - This is a command in present imperative with a negative which means stop deceiving yourself (as they were are already doing). In context the saints had fallen into the dangerous deception of thinking they were wise but it was not in God's wisdom. They were priding themselves on their worldly wisdom. And one way they thought themselves wise was by attaching themselves to a certain teacher or leader. Self-deception is ever a problem for fallen flesh so that the root of this delusion is pride and the antidote is humility ("he must become a fool"). Unity begins with a proper view of self and a willingness to think less highly of self and more highly of God's wisdom. As MacArthur says "Much division in the church would be eliminated if individuals were not so impressed with their own wisdom. A person who thinks that he is wise in this age—that is, wise in contemporary human wisdom—does nothing but deceive himself." - Precept Austin

V. 18b If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age - Here was the Corinthian's self deception - they thought that they were wise. We are guilty as well, in the work force or the world we call it street smart, and at church people will think they have the gift of discernment, yet show no discernment when someone does something so simple as flatter them, or don on sheep's clothing by stating over and over again how humble and honest they are. The Corinthians were appealing to the wisdom of the age rather than the wisdom that comes from God. How did you know that person was a wolf? Well, not from his own mouth, from that he told me he was a shepherd. He told me he was taught by Cephas, which is a good thing, it means he had received correct teaching at some point if the claim is true. But then over and over again he kept tying himself to Cephas and then started flattering me, someone he really didn't know that well. This brought to my mind the Scriptures that warn of flattery, that tell me to beware of wolves in sheep's clothing. Then later he played down something that Paul said about sin, and stated that he was more of a Cephas guy, and rolled his eyes when Apollos showed up. Often we deceive ourselves in these situations because we think we our wise, and we want to believe the flattery about us, so we accept when they say, "I am called, God sent me, I have an anointing on my life." Ultimate truth comes from the Creator and He has made it know to us through His word. We must observe both doctrine and life, and emotionally charged revelations are not on the same level, not even close. The truly wise must become foolish, ie admit they are foolish, for the one that thinks he knows everything can learn nothing. Pride is actually the enemy of true wisdom.

If any man among you thinks (present tense - continually) that he is wise in this age - IF is a first class conditional statement means what follows is accepted as true (and thus could be translated "since" or "because"). This indicates that some (? most) of the saints in Corinth were thinking of themselves as wise, but worldly wise, not godly wise (as was Paul in 1 Cor 3:10 = "a WISE master builder"! "Many in the Corinthian church prided themselves on their supposed spirituality or spiritual giftedness or knowledge." (Utley) In our fleshly moments, all believers fall into the trap of thinking too highly of ourselves and our wisdom. The fallen flesh will continually fight against harmony, thinking it's way is the wisest way, but the result is disharmony.

Guzik has an interesting comment - Paul is being a little sarcastic here. Of course the Corinthians considered themselves wise in this age! That was one of their problems, their love of worldly wisdom. - PA

The person who elevates his own wisdom will always have a low view of Scripture.

-- John MacArthur from PA

Thinks (supposes)(1380)(dokeo "primarily, to be of opinion, think, imagine, suppose. To hold an opinion based upon appearances which may be significantly different from reality which is absolutely true in this passage. Uses in Corinthians - 1 Co. 3:18; 1 Co. 4:9; 1 Co. 7:40; 1 Co. 8:2; 1 Co. 10:12; 1 Co. 11:16; 1 Co. 12:22; 1 Co. 12:23; 1 Co. 14:37; 2 Co. 10:9; 2 Co. 11:16; 2 Co. 12:19; - PA

14But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. 15Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?… Matthew 7: 14-16

More on Matthew 7

…20The anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has fully accomplished the purposes of His heart. In the days to come you will understand this clearly. 21I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. 22But if they had stood in My council, they would have proclaimed My words to My people and turned them back from their evil ways and deeds.” Jeremiah 23: 20-22

More on Jeremiah 23

1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases. 2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. 3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.… Proverbs 21: 1-3

Vs. 19-20 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God - The ultimate mirror for reality is available to the Corinthians, the same that it is available to you, the Holy Scriptures. You have even less excuse for the Canon was still being completed in their time, but you may go to the Bible any time you wish to hear something true, or any time you would like to see yourself rightly. If the world stumbles upon a truth that the Bible already teaches, well great for everyone, but truth doesn't originate with them, it stands fixed and eternal, whether they come to know it or not. The world's wisdom outside of God is unstable even regarding things we know to be true, because they deny Jesus Christ Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In calling something good, like a law against murder, saying that it is wrong to kill and this is best because none of us want to be killed, but yet denying God as the ultimate source for morality and the Creator of life, you end up with something which is less than an absolute truth in itself, it's origin being a truth about preference. It is true that I prefer not to be murdered, but it cannot be said that it is true that murder is ultimately wrong or evil, because you have denied the first truth, that people are made in the image of God and murder is an afront towards Him. Life belongs to the Creator of life. 

…21For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.… Romans 1: 21-23

More on Romans 1

…12He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success. 13He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning. 14They encounter darkness by day and grope at noon as in the night.… Job 5: 12-14

V. 21 So let no one boast in men - It all comes down to pride. It wasn't that the apostles weren't great men of God, but in separating into camps the people doing so were trying to rep as though it made them special or set apart. This will continue to be a theme throughout the book. 

Albert Barnes - These considerations (PRECEDING CONTEXT) should lead us to live above contention, and the fondness of party. Sect and party in the church are not formed by the love of the pure and simple gospel, but by the love of some philosophical opinion, or by an admiration of the wisdom, talents, learning, eloquence, or success of some Christian teacher. Against this the apostle would guard us; and the considerations presented in this chapter should elevate us above all the causes of contention and the love of sect, and teach us to love as brothers all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.(Barnes Notes)

Let no one boast in men - NET = "no more boasting about mere mortals." No one is medeis which means absolutely no one, not even one whoever he may be. This is not a suggestion from Paul, but a commandment from the Spirit to stop boasting as they were clearly doing. Obedience to this command would enable them to overcome the church divisions that were occurring. The command is present imperative with a negative and the only way these fleshly men and women would be able to stop boasting in men was to learn to daily depend on the Holy Spirit to obey The same is true of us in regard to our fleshly tendency to boast, whether it be in other men, things, ourselves, etc, etc. Boasting is a manifestation or outworking of pride, which is our root problem. It's the BIG "I" smack dab in the middle of the word "sIn" and interestingly is also the middle letter of "prIde!" Don't say the devil made you do it! We have plenty of devilish deception in our old flesh to energize boasting for the rest of our days on earth! Paul has already given the perfect cure/antidote for the poison of boasting "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” (1 Cor 1:31+).

THOUGHT - We are more excited about being with the influential and famous of this world than about being with God. We value the gifts and honors of men more than the gifts and honors God gives. How we need to hear, let no one glory in men! (Guzik)

Vs. 22-23 All things belong to you - Paul and Apollos were who they were because of God calling them through Christ. Our life is from God and death has been swallowed up by Christ's victory on the cross. We are no longer slave but sons, and none of that thanks to us, so be humble, and find true wisdom in God's word. 

…37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.… Romans 8: 37-39

Read More

#1669 1 Corinthians 3 Part 2 Materials

 

10 According 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 man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man’s work will become evident, for the day will indicate it because it is revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

16 Do you not know that you are a sanctuary of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If any man destroys the sanctuary of God, God will destroy him, for the sanctuary of God is holy, and that is what you are. 1 Corinthians 3: 10-17 LSB

1 Corinthians 3: 10-17

V. 10 I laid a foundation, and another is building on it - Paul was the master builder, the planter, the one who not only made first contact, but helped them establish what a church structure looked like, in the case of the Corinthians this was in person for 1.5 years. He sowed the seed of the gospel, which took root in the soil which the Holy Spirit had tilled. The apostles were also foundational beyond what we know as church planting today, in that they also scribed the canon which is the foundation for our teaching in every age. Paul was using his gifts as an Apostle, an evangelist, to glorify Christ. Apollos came and further built upon this foundation, not contradicting the floor, but further enhancing their understanding through his gift of teaching. 

…10As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another. 11If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. 12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.… 1 Peter 4: 10-12

11Then Hiram king of Tyre wrote a letter in reply to Solomon: “Because the LORD loves His people, He has set you over them as king.” 12And Hiram added: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who made the heavens and the earth! He has given King David a wise son with insight and understanding, who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal palace for himself. 13So now I am sending you Huram-abi, a skillful man endowed with creativity.… 2 Chronicles 2: 11-13

Vs. 10b-11 Each man must be careful how he builds on it - The Bible is clear that it is a single coin, one side is a man's life and the other his doctrine. I have grown up in churches and witnessed many kind, generous, and intelligent men, who seemed orderly in both family and business, yet taught things contrary to the word of God. The foundation is Christ, and that is what Paul laid and Apollos continued building with, but there are some who don't take the same care. People pleasers, the fun guy, easy going girls, all steer away from the foundation in order to stay in people's graces. They come up with schemes to get people into the church, to fill seats, and then must come up with even bigger schemes to get them to remain in those seats. The model is already set for us in Paul taking the gospel out to the world, and then Apollos watering that seed towards maturity. We never read of their programs, pizza parties, concerts or yoga classes, those things are all man focused and here we see the very foundation of the church is Christocentric. "For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 

…13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.… 2 Corinthians 11: 13-15

1Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. 3In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.… 2 Peter 2: 1-3

…11This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” 13When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus.… Acts 4: 11-13

Vs. 12-13 The fire itself will test the quality of each man's work - In order to get the purest gold and silver you must put your prewashed nuggets or dust into a crucible, which is a container designed to handle high heat. When you heat up the gold it releases it's contaminants into a scum we call dross, that forms at the top of the metal. Once all the dross is removed you have pure gold. If what you built with was tested by fire and it came out as pure gold then you stayed with the Designer's intent, your work was good, but on the other end of the spectrum we have hay or straw, which would leave nothing. By not sticking with the original plans you gave people what they want, made a spectacle of yourself, and may have filled many a seat, but all that's left is a smudge, a carbon stain, a work done in vain.

1“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts. 2But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. 3And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.… Malachi 3: 1-3

More on Malachi 3

…17You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.… Revelation 3: 17-19

…8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them. 10We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat.… Hebrews 13: 8-10

…1Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. 2But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. 3He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.…

…4Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind. 5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.… Psalm 1: 1-6

More on Psalm 1

Vs. 14-15 But he himself will be saved - How wild a thought, but the language is very clear. There are some who have stated the simple gospel most plainly, and I do think believed. I heard the gospel as a young boy from men who would later go on to preaching careers that looked more like motivational speakers, Ted talks, going on about their golf game or flattering themselves with their use of big words. Because you are saved does not mean you won't be tempted, and there will always be a host of people encouraging you to water down the message, to pack straw upon the foundation. That foundation is tested though, indestructible, so everything else will burn up that isn't Christ, including those of your congregation who trusted in your hay rather than the Cornerstone. 

Matthew Henry - In that day, There are others whose works shall be burnt, whose corrupt opinions and doctrines, or vain inventions and usages in the worship of God, shall be discovered, disowned, and rejected, in that day-shall be first manifested to be corrupt, and then disapproved of God and rejected. The great day will pluck off all disguises, and make things appear as they are: He whose work shall be burnt will suffer loss. If he have built upon the right foundation wood and hay and stubble, he will suffer loss. His weakness and corruption will be the lessening of his glory (ED: HENRY APPARENTLY SEES PART OF THE "REWARD" AS DEGREES OF GLORY WHICH IS POSSIBLE), though he may in the general have been an honest and an upright Christian. This part of his work will be lost, turning no way to his advantage, though he himself may be saved. Those who hold the foundation of Christianity, though they build hay, wood, and stubble, upon it, may be saved....for nothing will damn men but wickedness. He shall be saved, yet so as by fire, saved out of the fire. He himself shall be snatched out of that flame which will consume his work.

Burned up (2618)(katakaio from kata = intensifies meaning of verb + kaio = to burn) means to burn up, to consume or destroy by fire. The word denotes a violent consuming heat. 11 NT uses - Matt. 3:12; Matt. 13:30; Matt. 13:40; Lk. 3:17; Acts 19:19; 1 Co. 3:15; Heb. 13:11; 2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 8:7; Rev. 17:16; Rev. 18:8

Suffer loss (forfeit) (2210)(zemioo from zemia) means to affect with damage or to do damage to, to suffer injury, to suffer loss, to sustain damage, to forfeit or to fine. It means to experience the loss of something, with implication of undergoing hardship or suffering. Zemioo was a business term meaning to "punish by exacting a forfeit" (Vincent). 6x in NT - Matt. 16:26; Mk. 8:36; Lk. 9:25; 1 Co. 3:15; 2 Co. 7:9; Phil. 3:8

But he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire - Salvation is secure, but rewards are not guaranteed.

MacArthur writes that "It is easy to fool ourselves into thinking that anything we do in the Lord’s name is in His service, just as long as we are sincere, hardworking, and well meaning. But what looks to us like gold may turn out to be straw, because we have not judged our materials by the standards of God’s Word—pure motives, holy conduct, and selfless service."

Brian Bell - Picture a man escaping a burning building, he has his life…but no possessions. - Precept Austin

7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded. 9Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.… 2 John 1: 7-9

…10“I sent plagues among you like those of Egypt; I killed your young men with the sword, along with your captured horses. I filled your nostrils with the stench of your camp, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. 11“Some of you I overthrew as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a firebrand snatched from a blaze, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. 12“Therefore, that is what I will do to you, O Israel, and since I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!… Amos 4: 10-12

More on Amos 4

16These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage. 17But you, beloved, remember what was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ 18when they said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.”…

…19These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit. 20But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life.…

…22And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; and to still others show mercy tempered with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh. 24Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy—…

25to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen. Jude 16-25

19treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 20O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,” 21which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith. Grace be with you all.… 1 Timothy 6: 19-21

Vs. 16-17 Do you not know that you are the sanctuary of God - The building is not the church, the people are, and the foundation is Christ. Encourage your ministers to use the right materials for they will be held accountable. Also carry yourself as such. Would the sanctuary of God ever choose to pollute itself? Would it try to move off the foundation? That would be disastrous. 

…2Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? 3Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.… Romans 6: 2-4

More from Romans 6

18Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.… 1 Corinthians 6: 18-20

If any man destroys (phtheiro in present tense) the temple (naos) of God, (now he gives a "prophetic promise" so to speak) God will destroy (phtheiro) him - Many commentaries suggest things like false doctrine, false teachers, Jewish legalism, "moral corruption (see Wuest's paraphrase above)," (and we know there was some of that defilement but that comes later in the letter in chapters 5-6), etc, and of course each of those things can destroy a church. However what has Paul mentioned specifically as that which would be destructive to the church in Corinth? Here is a prime example of the rule that context is king in interpretation and the corollary axiom - Read the text in context before you read the comments in the commentaries! In context, Paul is speaking of the church and the deadly effect of internal strife and division on the Body (1 Cor 1:11+, 1 Cor 3:3+) (See Ralph Earle below). Division between saints can easily progress to division of (split of) a Church (and if you have been a Christian a few decades, you have likely witnessed this tragic scenario of an established church splitting). To be sure fleshly saints (1 Cor 3:1-2, 3+) are the primary instruments by which a church is divided, the ultimate author of that division is Satan, whose very name devil is the Greek word diabolos, which in turn is from dia (through or between) and ballo (thow). This etymology of diabolos gives us a perfect word picture of Satan's cunning as he wages ceaseless attacks seeking to devour and divide God's spiritual entities, be they a Christian church, a Christian marriage, a Christian ministry, etc.

THOUGHT - Let's be brutally honest. We all have had times when we have strongly disagreed with something in the politics of a church we were attending. Now do not misunderstand, I am not referring to teaching which is questionable or even false, because we are called to disagree with such teaching. I am speaking of opinions (color of the rug in the sanctuary, who should do the most preaching, etc, etc). So Paul's solemn warning applies to every man or woman who would dare to incite division in the church, whether by gossip, innuendo, accusations, etc. Paul's strong warning to be a cause to pause for all of us! If it becomes intolerable and you cannot hold your tongue, you should seek godly counsel with the elders or pastor and if you are still unresolved in your heart, it may be time to move on to another church. As sad as that would be, it would be better to mover on than to destroy the church and in turn be destroyed! - PA

Read More

#1668 1 Corinthians 3 Part 1 Planters and Waterers

 

And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to fleshly men, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are still not able, 3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?

5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to each one. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3: 1-9 LSB

1 Corinthians 3: 1-9

Robert Murray McCheyne was a minister in Scotland in the last century. He was only thirty years old when he died, but he made an enormous spiritual impact on Scotland that still continues. He said, “It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likenesses to Jesus... A man cannot be a faithful minister until he preaches Christ for Christ’s sake, until he gives up striving to attract people to himself, and seeks only to attract them to Christ.” In this chapter we see how Paul embodied this principle. - Precept Austin

Was not able to speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to fleshly men - I will bring this up over and over again as we go through Paul's letter to the Corinthians. Every point that he addresses will be best and most clearly understood in light of this backdrop. The Body of Christ is divided here because of people holding onto carnality. 

Could not speak to you as to spiritual men (pneumatikos) - Who are spiritual men in context? "He who is spiritual appraises (anakrino - present tense- continually examines carefully) all things." (1 Cor 2:15+) But these believers were not spiritual men, I like the way Wuest paraphrases it "was not able to speak to you as I would to those dominated by the Holy Spirit." (Eerdmans Publishing - used by permission)

MacArthur explains that the Corinthians "had come through the door of faith but had gone no farther. Most of them had received Jesus Christ years earlier but were acting as if they had just been born again....So a Christian is not characterized by sin (THAT IS BY A LIFESTYLE OF SIN); it no longer represents his basic nature. But he is still able to sin, and his sin is just as sinful as the sin of an unbeliever. Sin is sin. When a Christian sins, he is being practically unspiritual, living on the same practical level as an unbeliever. Consequently Paul is compelled to speak to the Corinthian believers much as if they were unbelievers" (See context in 1 CorinthiansCommentary)

It is interesting that a number of commentaries interpret Paul's initial description in 1 Cor 3:1-2 as applying primarily to the Corinthians present immature condition. But if one reads the text carefully, it actually describes Paul's original visit to Corinth, when he gave sinners the pure milk of the Gospel and they became saints (1 Cor 1:2+), born again by the Spirit. He continued to give them milk (for 18 months) which would be expected since they were still spiritual infants, so to speak. Just as newborn babies cannot eat solid food, newborn believers cannot eat solid food. Of course, while 1 Cor 3:1-2 describes a past event, in context, Paul is clearly using their past experience to help them (and us) understand their present spiritual state, some 4-5 years later. - PA

1Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.… Galatians 6: 1-3

1 We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.… Romans 15: 1-2

…13In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 14And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. 15Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.… 1 Thessalonians 5: 13-15

V. 2 Not solid food - This was understandable in the natural succession of their spirituality. You are born again, so you start out as a babe in Christ. You would be given the pure milk of the gospel, the basic doctrines, and continue growing through study and obedience to the Word of God. What had kept them from moving past the point of milk, to the extent that Paul must go back to milk? There is a lot of admonishment going on here, and we would all best pay close attention, for it is easy to confuse oneself as outside of this, because you read a book on doctrine that was 800 pages long, so you think yourself a carnivore. You have a big library, and you think that is the meat to which he refers. There are others who "feel" spiritual and think that their meat is a host of wondrous, rapturous moments they experience caught up in their own high thoughts or while singing or dancing or being entertained. The Corinthians will even confuse the lesser gifts for a sign of spiritual maturity. 

11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing. 12 Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! 13For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness.… Hebrews 5: 11-13

V. 3 For you are still fleshly - My dad and many others love this passage for the idea of the carnal Christian, since Paul addresses them generally as brothers but also as carnal. In those sort of circles they stop short of the gist though, that Paul is correcting them, calling them out of infancy, for those who need to mature, but will also have them send the unrepentant away, in the hopes of their being broken and returning in repentance. Others will leave churches because they were never regenerate at all, but that is not always quickly apparent. The reason why they could not take solid food was because they were still fleshly.

18Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us. 20You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.… 1 John 2: 18-20

V. 3b For since there is jealousy and strife among you - What does your fleshliness look like? What is keeping you from growing, from maturing spiritually. Jealousy, and that comes from selfishness, even some of the greatest men have experienced it. The cure is to take your eyes off yourself. Quit praying only for things and start praying for change when it comes to you, not stuff that you think will make you feel happy, but pray for eyes that move away from you and onto Christ. Start praying more for others. Will a godly man or woman ever feel jealous? Absolutely, but look at this story and see how a godly man comes to meet it.

F. B. Meyer said when the young fellow came and the crowds began to throng and the crowds began to jam into buildings and they couldn't get a building big enough to hear him preach, he said, "My heart was filled with that old green-eyed monster, jealousy and envy. Here I am preaching in London on a pulpit in my throne, and I've been here these years and years."

F. B. Meyer: "the throngs are going to hear Charles Haddon Spurgeon, that young man, and I was filled with envy and jealousy;” and F. B. Meyer said, "I got down on my knees, and I said, oh, Lord God, I can't be this way. Take it out of my heart. Take it out of my soul.

"And oh, God bless that young fellow, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, that young fellow who's just come to our city, and may he have bigger crowds and may God bless him with greater power and may God give him greater fame and greater influence." And F. B. Meyer said, as I read it, F. B. Meyer says, "it wasn't long until every triumph of that young man I began to receive as though I had done it myself.

And I rejoiced in the throngs, and I rejoiced in his fame, and I rejoiced in his power and I rejoiced in God's favor upon him.” That is true and godly love. As Jonathan rejoiced and the king will be not Jonathan but David, but David.

An unselfish love—not I, but you, not for me but for you, not what I want but what you want, not what pleases me but what pleases you, and his soul was knit with David, and he loved him as he loved his own soul. 

Strife is from the same place, from having your eyes on yourself and wanting others eyes on you, or wanting them to see you a certain way. Selfishness needs to have everything it's own way, and it is willing to die on hills so low they can barely be discerned. 

V. 4 I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos - Look how important this point is, how prominent a place the Apostle gives it. He is back to the first chapter of his letter. If the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to repeat himself here then maybe it's for a reason. Maybe God knew the Corinthians didn't quite hear it the first time, but here it is, in the place of prominence that repetition provides. Remember the answer then? Get back to Christ. He didn't need you, so where did all this self importance come from? Where is your joy, your astonishment at His grace, why is the testimony of your church that goes out into the world that you are contentious and immature? Here is the setting again, the context for all that follows.

…11My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?… 1 Corinthians 1: 11-13

Back to 1 Corinthians 1 The division

Vs. 5-9 He who plants and he who waters are one - So what are you fighting for? Both jobs were necessary, but God could raise planters and waterers out of the rocks, so why are you strutting the yard? We are so vain, people who don't make themselves yet need to be recognized for everything. It is the Spirit Who brings life, Who causes growth. That God brings us into His work is all part of the same grace that saved us, completely unmerited. 

Now he who plants (present tense = continually - ministry is NOT "one and done!") and he who waters (present tense = continually) are one - He who plants is Paul's self-description, for it was his proclamation (casting out) of the "seed" of the Word, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which the Holy Spirit used to birth the Corinthians into the Kingdom of God (cf Jn 3:3+) and in effect plant the Church in Corinth. There was an interdependence (mutual dependence) in the ministries of Paul and Apollos. Farmers plant and there is a drought the crops fail. Paul says there was no "water" shortage here. So both men were needed and neither deserved to be lauded over the other. He who waters alludes to Apollos who followed up Paul's ministry in Corinth with his eloquent teaching, viewed here as his dispensing the "water of the Word." (cf Eph 5:26+). The point of oneness is that there was harmony, not competition. Does that describe your ministry beloved? Or are you jealous of how big the other fellow's church is, etc? One is the Greek word heis which is the first cardinal numeral and signifies that which is united as one in contrast with being divided or consisting of separate parts. In other words, while Paul and Apollos had different functions (plants, waters), picturing separate and distinct ministries, they were still viewed as a unit and one which functioned synergistically, working together in harmony. If the saints at Corinth would begin to grasp the significance of the oneness of the work/ministries of Paul and Apollos, party bickering would be minimized.

But each will receive his own reward according to his own labor (kopos) - Paul is saying that individual ministries are important and call for faithfulness and hard work. And the reward is proportionate to the labor for each individual. Notice own reward...own labor signifying that the reward will be as we might say today "personalized," or suited to each person's labor. Notice Paul does does not use the Greek word ergon for work, but the word (kopos) which describes labor which is toilsome, wearying and even sorrowful at times (if you are a pastor, you are probably saying "amen" to that statement!). Spirit filled ministry (while being supernaturally energized) involves human responsibility which in turn is associated with trouble and toil (just as Paul is illustrating in the very letter we are reading)!

God rewards on the basis of labor, not success or results.

-- John MacArthur - PA

Read More