Subscription Lists
Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
Tuesday, June 12; Paul, Peerless Apostle and Prophet (10 of 15)
Focus Text: 1 Corinthians 3.1-11
The church at Corinth had tremendous spiritual problems. These problems were impetus behind Paul’s first epistle to them (see 1 Corinthians 1). At the root of the problems in Corinth was a perennial human problem, the problem of carnality. So significant was this root from which their other problems sprung, Paul wrote, “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 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; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” (1 Corinthians 3.1-3).
What or who was at fault for this lamentable situation? Was Paul the problem as the Judaizing teachers claimed? Was there a flaw in the foundation of the church at Corinth? Should it be rooted up in its entirety and a new structure begun (I speak as the scripture of the spiritual building, certainly not a physical edifice)? Let an inspired man answer these questions and let all others respect what God says about the situation!
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 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. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3.9-11). Note that Paul used three pronouns in this passage, i.e. we, you, and I/me. The “we” of the passage refers to Paul and Apollos (see the verses which immediately precede), the “you” of the passage obviously refers to the believers at Corinth, even though they were carnally minded, and finally the “I/we” pronouns refer to the author of the letter, Paul himself.
Space prevents a full exposition, but note how Paul referred to himself and his work in this matter. He was a “wise master builder.” The word “wise” just means savvy, having competent mental capacity and experience. But beyond that, he was a “master builder.” Please note the compound Greek word from which this two word English phrase is translated; the word is architekton. This usage is the only time the word appears in scripture. Literally Paul was the wise architect! If there were flaws in the church at Corinth, Paul was not to blame! He had laid the correct foundation; the plans were adequate having been prepared by a “wise architect”! He had laid the proper foundation, namely Jesus Christ. No other foundation could or should be laid other than that which had been laid! Whatever remedial work needing doing, it did not involve the right work done by God’s wise master builder!
Since something was wrong in Corinth, and since it was not Paul’s work that was flawed, it followed that the fault lay at the feet of others and not Paul. Hence, the admonition, “…let each one take heed how he builds on it [the foundation of Jesus Christ]. Don’t eliminate the essential (Jesus Christ) in your rush to fix the problem; find the root cause and eliminate it!
Questions:
1. What is carnality? What is its opposite? What are some of its effects?
2. Who charged Paul with the responsibility of being the architect of the church at Corinth?
3. If Paul was at fault and if the foundation was flawed, who else would be indicted by this conclusion? (Think critically!!)
4. Why is it necessary that others take heed how we build? What is implied by this admonition? Can one incorrectly build on the foundation? If so, what is needed to correct the problem?
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Today's Little Lift" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.