CHAPTER 3

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

The words "could not speak" refer back to when Paul first came to Corinth.
Perhaps there were a few Christians there; or
perhaps Paul led the few to Christ.

At any rate they were "babes in Christ, " and "carnal."
The word carnal is derived here from the Greek sarkinos meaning fleshly, immature.
This is different from the same word in Vs 14 below -- translated from the Greekpsuchikos,
meaning natural, unregenerate.

They were spiritual, because they were born again.
They were not natural or unsaved.

But, they were not matured.
They were like babes.

Can you explain trigonometry to a 3-year-old?
No.
Neither can you explain intricate theology to a newborn Christian.
They first must (of their own volition and determination) GROW!

This is the main reason why I wrote the book: BORN TO GROW IN JESUS.
It answers the question: "So, I got saved....NOW what?"
GROW in Christ!
LEARN -- PROGRESS!
((That book is free, and can be downloaded here: BORN TO GROW IN JESUS ))

Babes must learn a little at a time.
As Isaiah says, "9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?
them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little,
and there a little: (Is. 29:9-10)

Therefore.....

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

The word "hitherto" is interesting.
In this verse, it is translated from the Greek oupo, meaning not yet.
In other words, as new Christians, they were not yet ready for "meat".
So Paul fed them with "milk" -- a softer diet which would lead later to stronger spiritual food.

The word "hitherto" in John 5:17 is quite different.
It is translated from the Greek heos which means even now!

That's interesting because Paul says the church at Corinth are NOT NOW ready to grasp stronger spiritual doctrine!
And, he gives reason.

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

They were "yet carnal."
The Greek word is sarkikos, and means fleshly, bodily, temporal.

They were acting CHILDISH!

YES! A Christian CAN BE carnal!
The main way to be a carnal Christian is to not grow spiritually.
However, there are other ways also.
They are exhibited in our behavior.

In effect, Paul says they are worldly, seeking more to please self than God.
When Christians envy one another;
When they cause "strife" and "divisions" in the church, then
they are carnal!
Acting to please self rather than God.

As Christians, we are to follow the example of Christ.
We are to strive in being at "peace" with all men! (See Hebrews 12:14)
We are to be "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Eph 4:3)

Most churches have "divisions".
And they are usually because someone argued and never exhibited forgiveness.

I remember my Mom one time saying,
"You can argue with your brother or sister, but they are STILL FAMILY! And, you need to be sure things are RIGHT between you!"

We need to remember that in our church family!!

We WILL disagree.
It's human.
But we need to grow to the point where we can disagree without being disagreeable!
Don't act CHILDISH!

4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
KJV

Some of the people in the church at Corinth had identified themselves with a name.
They developed factions in the church according to a presupposed doctrinal issue.
(See the commentary on 1Corinthians 1:12-16)

Paul had ministered to the church there in Corinth about 18 months.
He probably had lead many of them to Christ.
And, in particular, he probably led many Gentiles to Christ.
Some, no doubt, would identify with Paul.

Apollos had followed Paul there at Corinth, and was a very eloquent speaker.
Some, no doubt would identify with Apollos.

Peter may, or may not have, visited that church.
But he was very prominent in areas around Corinth as Christian Jew.
Some, no doubt would identify with Peter.

But their identification with some name only caused divisions!

We need to realize that NO name is above HIS NAME!!
And, we are to "grow up into HIM" (Eph. 4:15)

We (and ALL names under Christ) are only disciples OF Christ.
God USES us when we are willing servants.
But it is GOD doing the work THROUGH us!!
You may "plant" and I may "water";
but the "increase" is from GOD!

"I" can NEVER lead someone to Christ!
Neither can ANY man/woman!
We are only mouthpieces for Christ.
God's Holy Spirit interacts with our testimony, His Word, and with the person listening!
It is GOD that does all the work!

God called us to be saved.
Then, God called us to be instrumental in helping others come to know the same joy of
His eternal forgiveness and eternal reward!
And, that's just IT!
We are ONLY instrumental!!

It is STILL God Who uses our testimony and His Word to do the work of:
Convincing someone that Jesus is the Creator/Savior,
Convicting someone of sin and the need of forgiveness, and
Compelling someone surrender to Jesus as Lord, and to make a public profession of their faith in Christ!

ALL men fail God at one point or another!
Don't get caught up in following a name!
Follow CHRIST!

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

Christians are God's FAMILY!
They are God's FARMERS in HIS field!
They are God's BUILDING for worship, education, inspiration and evangelism!

We are to work "together"!!

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

The "foundation" of a Christian's life is CHRIST!!
There is NO OTHER!

As Christians, we are to BUILD upon this foundation.
One plants, one waters, etc.

But let us "take HEED how" we build upon that foundation!

BECAUSE:

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every 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.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Maybe YOU lay the foundation by being instrumental in leading someone to surrender to Christ.
Then, the Sunday School teacher "waters" by educating them.
Then, the preacher inspires them with Biblical preaching.

These actions will have their "reward".

WHY would some work be "burned?"
Probably because the work was done in egotistical pride!
Even so, if the person being instrumental was truly saved,"he himself shall BE saved; yet so as by fire."
In other words, the purging of God for the work of the Christian (by fire) is for the work -- NOT for the salvation!

How are you working?
To please God, or self, or others?
Oh! Wait a minute!
ARE you working?

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

If you are genuinely saved, then you are "the temple of God!"
And, "the Spirit of God DWELLETH in you!!"

Man was created for God's Holy Spirit to dwell IN him!
So, if you are NOT working for God - then you are DEFILING the temple!!

Also, the church is the temple of God.
God's Spirit is ALWAYS there!
Therefore, if a person in the church teaches corrupt doctrine, they are defiling the church!

God works IN and THROUGH genuinely saved people!

A genuinely saved person will certainly do some work for God!!

18 Let 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.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

So -- let's don't be puffed up on our own wisdom; and,
let's don't be puffed up on some names wisdom.

Remember, it is GOD that does the work ---
we are only willingly obedient and instrumental to Him.

Wisdom in the ways of the world do not compare with the wisdom of God!

And, God KNOWS!
He knows the THOUGHTS even of those who are vain!

21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

Notice the reiteration: "all things are yours;" and "all are yours".
Those specific things are whatever they learned from: "Paul,...Apolllos,...Cephas (Peter)";
Or whatever they learned about: "the world, ... life, ...death, ... things present, ... or things to come."

ALL those people and things had ONE common interest -- CHRIST!

I have learned one thing about the world -- it is a fickle place in which to live because all men are sinners.
I have learned one thing about life -- you only have it as long as God GIVES it!
I have learned one thing about death -- being in Christ, it is only the BEGINNING and NOT the end!
I have learned one thing about things present -- they are to be used for God's glory.
I have leanred one thing about things to come -- they will be revealed by God when He is ready and not before.

And, I have learned one thing from the Bible and all the teachers of the Bible:
salvation comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and is for God's glory alone!

Whatever God has placed before you for learning and growing is "yours!"
USE it for HIS glory!!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.
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