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 will be judged on the quality of their work, with those whose work endures receiving a reward, while those whose work is destroyed will still be saved. Believers are also reminded that they are the temple of God and should not deceive themselves with worldly wisdom.
1 And 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 Christ 2 I 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 carnal 3 And since there is still envy and contention among you, are you not carnal, and are you not walking according to man 4 For 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 Paul 5 We are only the ministers of him in whom you have believed, just as the Lord has granted to each of you 6 I planted, Apollo watered, but God provided the growth 7 And so, neither he who plants, nor he who waters, is anything, but only God, who provides the growth 8 Now he who plants, and he who waters, are one. But each shall receive his proper reward, according to his labors 9 For we are God’s assistants. You are God’s cultivation; you are God’s construction 10 According 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 it 11 For no one is able to lay any other foundation, in place of that which has been laid, which is Christ Jesus 12 But if anyone builds upon this foundation, whether gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or stubble 13 each 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 is 14 If anyone’s work, which he has built upon it, remains, then he will receive a reward 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer its loss, but he himself will still be saved, but only as through fire 16 Do you not know that you are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God lives within you 17 But if anyone violates the Temple of God, God will destroy him. For the Temple of God is holy, and you are that Temple 18 Let 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 wise 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. And so it has been written: "I will catch the wise in their own astuteness. 20 And again: "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 21 And so, let no one glory in men 22 For 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 yours 23 But you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s