1 Corinthians

Friday, 25 April 2014

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 1 Corinthians 3:5

There is the thought of individual subordination by Paul all over this verse. He begins with “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos…?” The word used for “who” is ti. It is an indefinite pronoun which means “who,” “what,” “which,” or “why” based on the context. Though translated “who” by the NKJV, it is more likely “what” as many others so translate. It is a personal subordination that is intended as a deprecation of the ones being named.

He is referring again back to the first chapter of the letter where there were divisions based on individuals who carried the message of Christ. Some wanted to follow Paul, some Apollos, and some Cephas. But Paul prompts the Corinthians to think their allegiances through to their logical end. To help them along, he says that they are “but ministers.”

In this, the word “ministers” is diakonoi. It is intended to convey the idea of “servants” rather than “lords” or “masters.” Jesus uses the term in Mark 9:35 –

“And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.'” Mark 9:35

If Paul and Apollos (and any other person) is a servant, then they are ultimately responsible to a higher authority. In the case of a Christian, they are servants of the Lord Jesus. So how can someone rationally throw an unfounded allegiance behind the servant of the Lord? Within a military or political structure, there are many levels of responsibility, but there is ultimately a leader over all.

In the case of the United States government, there are hundreds and even thousands of levels within the government, but their authority ultimately rests in the three branches of government which derive their power from the people. And each person is under a higher authority. The choice for selecting leaders comes down to choices about what direction the nation should go and therefore, whether we logically think it through or not, moral choices are made in each election. As God is the ultimate moral Being, our political choices are actually choices for or against over-arching moral principles that we feel should go in one direction or another.

Therefore, even our political choices involve a sense of “servant hood.” We don’t always think this way, but this is what Paul is relaying to the Corinthians. And in turn, his letter is asking us to think the same way when elevating those in the ministry to positions which are actually unreasonable. And how many of us do this as we watch figures on TV or talk about the pastor that we follow in our home town!

Next Paul, when speaking of such ministers, uses the term “through whom you believed.” If you have believed the message of Christ “through” someone, then they obviously aren’t the source of the message. Rather, in the case of Paul and Apollos, they are servants of the Source for the transmission of the message. If they aren’t the Source, then what sense does it make to elevate them to an exalted status? It is Christ who saves and it is the message of Christ that they convey.

Paul finishes this thought with the fact that they are ministers of the message “as the Lord gave to each one.” It is the Lord who gave the authority; it is the Lord who is the Source of the message; and it is the Lord that the message proclaims. Nothing about Paul or Apollos is worthy of boasting or misdirected allegiance. It is the Lord in whom we boast, and it is the message of the Lord that we should hold fast to. The minister is but a servant. He has a duty to perform, he is to be recompensed for his duty (Galatians 6:6), and he can even be accorded “double honor” (1 Timothy 5:17), but he is not to be elevated in an unhealthy way.

Life application: Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.

Lord Jesus, I ask for the wisdom to remember that all pastors, elders, and ministers are merely servants who carry a message. Help me to keep from getting so caught up in the messenger that I forget where my allegiance is actually due. You are the Source of the message and You are the one who grants the ability for the message to be proclaimed. It is You in whom I will boast, only You. Amen.

Thursday, 24 April 2014

For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?1 Corinthians 3:4

This is a fuller explanation of verse 3. He noted that there was “envy, strife, and divisions among” those at Corinth and then he reminded them of what he wrote in Chapter 1, verses 10-13. They were claiming allegiance to one person over another when the two proclaimed the same message. Some liked Apollos, maybe because he had better speaking skills. Some liked Paul, maybe because he was the first to bring the message to the lost in Corinth. Whatever the reason for their divisions, Paul says it is “carnal” thinking.

By placing a person in higher esteem than another when both are conducting the same service – a proclamation of the gospel, they were actually lowering their standards to that of the messenger rather than the message. Their allegiance was no longer to Christ, but on the one who was proclaiming Christ.

Has anything different arisen in the past 2000 years? No. And it has only increased with the advent of radio, TV, and now the internet. We long for flashy orators, great concerts of music set to lights and showmanship, and comfy side rooms where lattes are served. The vast majority of people don’t come to church to worship the Lord and learn the word. Instead, they come to be allured by flash.

Life application: Let us remember what the purpose of church is. Above all, it is to worship the Creator and Redeemer of our souls. It is also intended for us to learn the word that He has given to us. And church is for fellowship and participation with others in the worship and instruction. Those things which divert our attention from these only cause a return to the carnal side of who we are.

Glorious and beautiful Creator – You who fashioned man to bear Your image. Help me to reflect Your goodness, Your majesty, and Your glory to others. When people see me, let them look past my faults and failures and see You instead. Keep me from secret faults and open rebellion. Instead, let me radiate You… only You. Amen.

Wednesday, 23 April 2014

…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 3:3

This verse explains the comments of the preceding verse very clearly. Paul just stated, “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.” He notes that they “are still carnal” which indicates that though they are saved, they are immature believers who are living in the flesh more than under the influence of the Spirit. To explain what he means, he then provides three specific examples of their carnality:

1) There is envy. When someone possess something that another desires in an unhealthy way, it causes them to resent the one who possesses that thing – be it a physical attribute such as beauty, strength, hair color, etc., or be it a tangible possession, such as jewelry, clothing, etc. It can also involve positions of power, social standing, and so on. Whatever leads one to be envious of another is unhealthy and this will surely lead to strife. In the case of the church, envy can lead to a whole host of problems which includes both of the other two examples Paul mentions.

2) Strife. This involves in-fighting and contention. It is an outward demonstration of people unwilling to live in harmony with each other. Proverbs speaks about strife in great detail. One example is the cause of it –

“A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.” Proverbs 16:28

Another proverb shows it’s effect, but also provides a remedy –

“The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.” Proverbs 17:14

Studying strife in the book of proverbs is a recommended tool for churches such as those at Corinth who are still living in a carnal manner.

3) Divisions. Paul spoke in chapter 1 about some of the divisions he was aware of at Corinth. Thus, his note to them about being carnal is supported by what he has already said. Divisions, if not resolved, will naturally lead to people quitting the church, completely separating the church into smaller bodies, or a host of other sad situations. It takes care, prayer, and wisdom to overcome them.

Because of these things occurring right there in the church, it demonstrated that they weren’t living by the Spirit. And so Paul asks rhetorically, “are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” The answer is “Yes.” Instead of living in the Spirit and relying on the wisdom of God, they were living in the flesh and failing to pursue what was right and appropriate for holy living within the body.

Life application: Are you spending your time and energy within the church as a part of the problem or a part of the solution? Paul identifies those things which are disruptive and then he explains how to properly conduct oneself. Without reading and applying his epistles to our lives, we will inevitably find ourselves being a part of the problem.

Lord Jesus… You are the Head of the church and You have given us the Bible to understand how to responsibly conduct ourselves within it. Help me Lord to apply what You have given us so that I will be a part of what is good and right, rather than a part of the problems which arise. Help me to be discerning in all matters of right faith and practice Lord. Thank You for hearing me. Amen.

Tuesday, 22 April 2014

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; 1 Corinthians 3:2

In the preceding verse, Paul said to the Corinthians that he had to speak to them “as babes in Christ.” This makes his comment in verse 2 understandable – “I fed you with milk and not solid food” is a metaphor for his speech to them. Because they were uneducated in the things of Christ, he spoke to them about the elementary tenets of the faith.

Babies don’t come out of the womb and start chewing on steak. Instead, they require milk in order to develop. Eventually, through growth, they can start nibbling on pieces of bread or a bit of rice. As teeth develop, they can start to chew on tougher foods, like meat. This is also how we should develop spiritually, a little bit at a time. Unfortunately, those in Corinth stayed in a state of infancy and failed to move to adolescence and beyond. Paul tells them that they “were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able.”

Again, the writer of Hebrews provides a parallel thought to this in Hebrews 6:1-3 –

“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.”

Here, the author of Hebrews cites all of these as “elementary principles.” They are things that even the novice in Christianity should be able to explain competently. Paul, writing to the Corinthians found that they were unable to handle even these basic principles and so he was obliged to continue to feed them milk, not meat. In chapter 14, he will relay to them their state of infancy when explaining to them about speaking in tongues. They were using tongues in church the way many churches still do today. There he says to them –

“Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.” 1 Corinthians 14:20

In the coming verse, Paul will give a list of other areas where the Corinthians were weak. By reviewing those things, we will see a congregation that still had one foot in the outside world. They were carnal and lacking Christian maturity. Two thousand years later, the faith is still full of such people – not because there are so many new believers, but because so many don’t take time to faithfully read and study their Bibles. When they do, they continue to forget the context of the passage and only disorder results in their biblical understanding. Through Paul’s hand, God is showing us how to keep this from occurring.

Life application: Go back up and read the list of “elementary principles” noted above by the author of Hebrews. Ask yourself if you can rightly explain each of them and why you believe them. If not, take extra time to learn them in a way that solidifies your understanding of them.

Heavenly Father, help me to grow in Your word to the point where I can defend the principle doctrines of the faith. The Bible is Your word and what it teaches has been given to me so that I can grow in spiritual maturity. And so help me to properly handle it, be able to explain it, and defend its truths when it is attacked. I know that with this, You will be pleased. Amen.

Monday, 21 April 2014

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:1

Paul is referring back to the words of the previous chapter, where he is comparing the natural to the spiritual. In verse 2:14, he said this –

“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

It is important to understand that there is a difference between the word “natural” which is the Greek psychikos, and the word “carnal” in this verse. It is the Greek word sarkinois. The first word, natural, is not one applied to Christians – regardless of their spiritual maturity. It is a person who has never received Christ and is unregenerate.

Instead of this when speaking of the Corinthians, he uses a word which indicates a lack of spiritual maturity in Christ, but not a lack of spiritual nature. They have not developed in their walk and remain no more than spiritual babies. This state of immaturity is well-described by the author of Hebrews –

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:12-14

And this is how Paul now speaks to those in Corinth. “And I” is Paul’s introduction to the coming rebuke based on his previous words concerning spiritual matters. “Brethern” indicates that Paul is writing to the body of saved believers. This is a very important point to understand because by the time he gets to chapter 5, there will be a “brother” who is conducting his affairs in such an inappropriate manner that he will actually advise the body to “deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”

Paul’s words in times like this, and in a host of other instances, indicate the eternality of salvation; one cannot lose what has been bestowed by the grace of God. But they can lose rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Paul is hoping to impart spiritual instruction to these immature believers so that they will grow, mature, and be found acceptable in their walk with Christ.

Though these are “brethren,” he says to them that he “could not speak to [you] as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.” Though they are brethren, saved by the blood of Christ, he was unable to impart to them anything beyond the first milk of their spiritual meal. Unfortunately, this is a chronic condition in many. There is little desire to ever be weaned off the basics and to dig deeper into spiritual matters. What is all the more saddening is that in our modern world, we have the Bible available at our fingertips at any given moment and yet we find it too much effort to pick it up, study it, and mature in our faith.

Life application: Spiritual maturity can only come through spiritual growth. Spiritual growth can only come through proper instruction in the tools available to the student. And the main tool that we have for spiritual growth and understanding is the Holy Bible. Logic, philosophy, etc are only effective for spiritual growth if they are combined with understanding the nature of God revealed in the Bible. Apart from this, they are ineffective for spiritual maturity. All things must be brought back to harmony with the word of God for spiritual growth to occur.

Lord God, I commit to reading my Bible every morning when I rise and every evening before I go to bed. Amen.