1 Corinthians 3
The Corinthian believers are still immature in their faith, unable to handle deeper spiritual truths, and are instead consumed by envy and division, with some claiming allegiance to specific leaders. Paul emphasizes that he and other leaders are merely servants of God, and that it is God who gives growth and success. The foundation of the Christian faith is Jesus Christ, and believers must be careful how they build upon this foundation, as their works will be tested by fire on the day of the Lord. Those whose works are found wanting will suffer loss, but will still be saved.
1And so, brothers, I was not able to speak to you as if to those who are spiritual, but rather as if to those who are carnal. For you are like infants in Christ2I gave you milk to drink, not solid food. For you were not yet able. And indeed, even now, you are not able; for you are still carnal3And since there is still envy and contention among you, are you not carnal, and are you not walking according to man4For if one says, "Certainly, I am of Paul," while another says, "I am of Apollo," are you not men? But what is Apollo, and what is Paul5We are only the ministers of him in whom you have believed, just as the Lord has granted to each of you6I planted, Apollo watered, but God provided the growth7And so, neither he who plants, nor he who waters, is anything, but only God, who provides the growth8Now he who plants, and he who waters, are one. But each shall receive his proper reward, according to his labors9For we are God’s assistants. You are God’s cultivation; you are God’s construction10According to the grace of God, which has been given to me, I have laid the foundation like a wise architect. But another builds upon it. So then, let each one be careful how he builds upon it11For no one is able to lay any other foundation, in place of that which has been laid, which is Christ Jesus12But if anyone builds upon this foundation, whether gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or stubble13each one’s work shall be made manifest. For the day of the Lord shall declare it, because it will be revealed by fire. And this fire will test each one’s work, as to what kind it is14If anyone’s work, which he has built upon it, remains, then he will receive a reward15If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer its loss, but he himself will still be saved, but only as through fire16Do you not know that you are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God lives within you17But if anyone violates the Temple of God, God will destroy him. For the Temple of God is holy, and you are that Temple18Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become foolish, so that he may be truly wise19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. And so it has been written: "I will catch the wise in their own astuteness.20And again: "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.21And so, let no one glory in men22For all is yours: whether Paul, or Apollo, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or the present, or the future. Yes, all is yours23But you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s
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