1 Corinthians 3:16-23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:22

Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas ,.... These are particularly named, because their disputes were chiefly about them; but what is said of them is true of all other, and all the ministers of Christ, that they are the church's. The gifts which Christ received for them, and has bestowed on them, are not their own, but the church's, and are given to them, not so much for their own use, as for the good and benefit of others. They are made able ministers of the New Testament, not by themselves,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:23

And ye are Christ's ,.... This is the ground and foundation of all things being theirs, and shows in what way they come by them, and what gives them their claim and property: they are Christ's, he has an interest in them, and they in him; they are his, not only by creation, as all men are, but by the Father's special gift of them to him, as his spouse and bride, his children, his sheep, his portion, and his jewels; they are his through the purchase of his own blood, and by a voluntary... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:16

Ye are the temple of God - The apostle resumes here what he had asserted in 1 Corinthians 3:9 ; : Ye are God's building. As the whole congregation of Israel were formerly considered as the temple and habitation of God, because God dwelt among them, so here the whole Church of Corinth is called the temple of God, because all genuine believers have the Spirit of God to dwell in them; and Christ has promised to be always in the midst even of two or three who are gathered together in his name.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:17

If any man defile the temple - This clause is not consistently translated. Ει τις τον ναον του Θεου φθειρει, φθερει τουτον ὁ Θεος If any man destroy the temple of God, him will God destroy. The verb is the same in both clauses. If any man injure, corrupt, or destroy the Church of God by false doctrine, God will destroy him - will take away his part out of the book of life. This refers to him who wilfully opposes the truth; the erring, mistaken man shall barely escape; but the obstinate... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:18

If any man among you seemeth to be wise - Ει τις δοκει σοφος ειναι· If any pretend or affect to be wise. This seems to refer to some individual in the Church of Corinth, who had been very troublesome to its peace and unity: probably Diotrephes (see on 1 Corinthians 1:14 ; (note)) or some one of a similar spirit, who wished to have the pre-eminence, and thought himself wiser than seven men that could render a reason. Every Christian Church has less or more of these. Let him become a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:19

The wisdom of this world - Whether it be the pretended deep and occult wisdom of the rabbins, or the wire-drawn speculations of the Grecian philosophers, is foolishness with God; for as folly consists in spending time, strength, and pains to no purpose, so these may be fitly termed fools who acquire no saving knowledge by their speculations. And is not this the case with the major part of all that is called philosophy, even in the present day? Has one soul been made wise unto salvation... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:20

The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise - They are always full of schemes and plans for earthly good; and God knows that all this is vain, empty, and unsatisfactory; and will stand them in no stead when he comes to take away their souls. This is a quotation from Psalm 94:11 . What is here said of the vanity of human knowledge is true of every kind of wisdom that leads not immediately to God himself. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:21

Let no man glory in men - Let none suppose that he has any cause of exultation in any thing but God. All are yours; he that has God for his portion has every thing that can make him happy and glorious: all are his. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:22

Whether Paul, or Apollos - As if he had said: God designs to help you by all things and persons; every teacher sent from him will become a blessing to you, if you abide faithful to your calling. God will press every thing into the service of his followers. The ministers of the Church of Christ are appointed for the hearers, not the hearers for the ministers. In like manner, all the ordinances of grace and mercy are appointed for them, not they for the ordinances. Or the world - The word ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:23

And ye are Christ's - You are called by his name; you have embraced his doctrine; you depend on him for your salvation; he is your foundation stone; he has gathered you out of the world, and acknowledges you as his people and followers. Ὑμεις δε Χριστου , ye are of Christ; all the light and life which ye enjoy ye have received through and from him, and he has bought you with his blood. And Christ is God's - Χριστος δε Θεου , And Christ is of God. Christ, the Messiah, is the gift of... read more

Group of Brands