(8) Are one.—The planter and the waterer are one in that they are both working in the same cause. “But,” says the Apostle (not “and,” as in our version), “each man shall receive his own reward from God, not from man, according to his labour.” There is an individuality as well as a unity in the work of the ministry. This is, however, not a thing to be noticed by men, but it will be recognised by the great Master. read more
1 Corinthians 3:1-2 A man always is to be himself the judge how much of his mind he will show to other men; even to those he would have work along with him. Carlyle, Heroes, VI 1 Corinthians 3:2 It is a fact, forced upon one by the whole experience of life, that almost all men are children, more or less, in their tastes and admirations. De Quincey, Autobiographic Sketches , XIII. References. III. 1-8. J. Bowstead, Practical Sermons, vol. i. p. 281. III. 2. G. W. Brameld, Practical Sermons,... read more
Chapter 6GOD’S HUSBANDRY AND BUILDINGPAUL having abundantly justified his method of preaching to the Corinthians, and having shown why he contented himself with the simple presentation of the Cross, resumes his direct rebuke of their party spirit. He has told them that they were as yet unfit to bear the "wisdom" which he taught in some Churches, and the very proof of their immaturity is to be found in their partisanship. "While one saith, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos, are ye not... read more
CHAPTER 3 1. The Carnal state of the Corinthians. (1 Corinthians 3:1-9 ). 2. The Workmen and their Work. (1 Corinthians 3:10-15 ). 3. The Church the Temple of God. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 ). 4. Warning against Deception and Glorying in Men. (1 Corinthians 3:18-23 ). Their condition is next uncovered. They did not depend on the Spirit of God and did not enjoy the hidden wisdom and walk in it. They were carnal, mere babes in Christ, in the sense that their growth, their spiritual development... read more
But in practical experience the Corinthians were not properly regarding, nor depending on, the wisdom of the Spirit of God, who had been given to them. Paul could not write to them as spiritual, but as unto "carnal," or "fleshly," or as unto "babes in Christ." Actually they were not babes, but were as babes, a matter of shame, for this was not normal. When they ought to have been able to digest solid food, Paul had found it necessary still to feed them with milk, the most elementary truths of... read more
THE CAUSE AND CURE OF DISPUTES This epistle was written by Paul probably during the latter part of his long visit to Ephesus, and it will add interest to its study to re-read Acts 18-20, which speak of his visit to both cities, Ephesus and Corinth. The occasion for its writing, as given in 1 Corinthians 1:11 ; 1 Corinthians 7:1 , was a visit to Paul of a member “of the house of Chloe,” who brought a written communication to him as well as verbal reports of conditions in the church. These... read more
1Co 3:1-9 1. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 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. 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? 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,... read more
(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? (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 anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the... read more
That planteth you by your first conversion. Apollo watered you by preaching the same truths. --- He that planteth and watered, are one, aim at one and the same end. (Witham) --- According to his own labour. God does not recompense his servants according to the success of their labours, because their success depends upon him alone; but he recompenses them according to their sufferings and diligence in his service; for, whilst he crowns the labour of his apostles with success, he crowns his... read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:1-23
The Fault of Party SpiritThe immaturity of the Corinthian converts and their unfitness for anything but elementary instruction in the faith is proved by their mutual jealousies and their disagreements about their teachers.1-9. Paraphrase. ’Te yourselves, brethren, are an illustration of what I say. (2) I have treated you as beginners and given you elementary Christian teaching, for hitherto you have been unfit for any other. (3, 4) You are still but immature Christians, as the strife and... read more