1 Corinthians 3:1-23
About the Text
(1) What is the "milk" Paul speaks of? The basic gospel story of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection as given in chapter 2. The members of the church at Corinth thought they were "mature," having pursued all sorts of non-Christian philosophies that stimulated the intellect. The fact is, they were really "infants," with their quarreling as proof. To bring peace into the church, Paul needed to speak again about the basics of the Christian faith: how they were all sinners, how Christ's death took away those sins, how Christ's resurrection proves all His claims, how the Holy Spirit enables us to understand, believe and be saved, and how all this will eventually stop their quarreling.
(4) What is so wrong about saying "I follow Paul..."? Translated literally from the original language, it would read, "I am of Paul, I am of Apollos..." In other words, these Corinthians actually labeled themselves after these leaders. The labeling was the problem. Even today, labeling is a sign of quarreling and division. People today say, "those Blacks" or "those Whites," or "those hicks" or "those snobs." Even among Christians, we sometimes say, "those Pentecostals," or "those Catholics." Such division also exists among "Calvinists" vs. "Arminians," hymn-singers vs. chorus-singers, traditionalists vs. progressives. Labeling is a sin when it is done either to boost one's own ego, or to denounce someone else.
(4) Who is "Apollos"? One of the gifted teachers in the early church. Acts 18:24-28 mentions that he was a Jew who possessed an extensive knowledge of the Scriptures. He was converted to Christianity through the ministry of Priscilla and Aquila. He was particularly active in public debate.
(10) What is the "foundation" Paul speaks of laying? The preaching of Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. Although people often try to build a church through managerial techniques and organized programs, a lasting church always begins with preaching - that is, the clear communication of the claims and teaching of Jesus Christ. This is why Paul writes in 1 Cor. 1:18, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
(10) How does "someone else" build on this foundation? Paul is speaking of everything else that goes into building a church, e.g. worship, group meetings, teaching, love, care, prayer, everything that builds up people's faith and love for Christ, and their love for each other.
(14) Doesn't this passage go contrary to what the Bible says, that blessings are given by God not earned?No. God gives rewards out of His grace (i.e. undeserved kindness), not out of obligation. When a Christian diligently performs God's work, God will give him a extra gift, on top of the eternal blessings of salvation. Such a Christian still does not deserve such a gift, but God gives it anyway as a gift. Such extra gifts give us hope when we work tirelessly for the Lord. Eternal life and salvation, on the other hand, have nothing to do with our hard work. All those who truly believe (which eventually leads to our doing good works) will be saved. This is why Paul still mentions that an immature Christian "will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames."
(16) What does the "temple" refer to - the Christian, or the church? The church. Here, Paul says that the church (i.e. the gathering of believers) is the place where God's Holy Spirit dwells. Then in 1 Cor. 6:19, Paul mentions that also our individual bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.
(21) What is meant by "all things are yours"? When Christ comes back, we will together possess all that belongs to Christ now. In other words, the universe will be ours to rule over, as Christ continues to rule over us. See Romans 8:17, 32.
Insights
Key Memory Verse
"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" (1 Cor. 3:16)