And I, brethren — He spoke before, 1 Corinthians 2:1, of his entrance, now of his progress, among them. Could not speak to you as unto spiritual — Adult, experienced Christians. But as unto men who were still in great measure carnal, as unto babes in Christ — Still weak in grace, though eminent in g... [ Continue Reading ]
I fed you, as babes, with milk — The first and plainest truths of the gospel. So should every preacher suit his doctrine to his hearers.... [ Continue Reading ]
For while there is among you emulation in your hearts, strife in your words, and actual divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk according to men — As mere men; not as Christians, according to God.... [ Continue Reading ]
I am of Apollos — St. Paul named himself and Apollos, to show that he would condemn any division among them, even though it were in favour of himself, or the dearest friend he had in the world. Are ye not carnal — For the Spirit of God allows no party zeal.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ministers — Or servants. By whom ye believed, as the Lord, the Master of those servants, gave to every man.... [ Continue Reading ]
God that giveth the increase — Is all in all: without him neither planting nor watering avails.... [ Continue Reading ]
But he that planteth and he that watereth are one — Which is another argument against division. Though their labours are different. they are all employed in one general work, — the saving souls. Hence he takes occasion to speak of the reward of them that labour faithfully, and the awful account to b... [ Continue Reading ]
For we are all fellowlabourers — God's labourers, and fellowlabourers with each other. Ye are God's husbandry — This is the sum of what went before: it is a comprehensive word, taking in both a field, a garden, and a vineyard. Ye are God's building — This is the sum of what follows.... [ Continue Reading ]
According to the grace of God given to me — This he premises, lest he should seem to ascribe it to himself. Let every one take heed how he buildeth thereon — That all his doctrines may be consistent with the foundation.... [ Continue Reading ]
For other foundation — On which the whole church: and all its doctrines, duties, and blessings may be built. Can no man lay than what is laid — In the counsels of divine wisdom, in the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament, in the preaching of the apostles, St. Paul in particular. Which is Je... [ Continue Reading ]
If any one build gold, silver, costly stones — Three sorts of materials which will bear the fire; true and solid doctrines. Wood, hay, stubble — Three which will not bear the fire. Such are all doctrines, ceremonies, and forms of human invention; all but the substantial, vital truths of Christianity... [ Continue Reading ]
The time is coming when every one's work shall be made manifest: for the day of the Lord, that great and final day, shall declare it — To all the world. For it is revealed — What faith beholds as so certain and so near is spoken of as already present. By fire; yea, the fire shall try every one's wor... [ Continue Reading ]
He shall receive a reward — A peculiar degree of glory. Some degree even the other will receive, seeing he held the foundation; though through ignorance he built thereon what would not abide the fire.... [ Continue Reading ]
He shall suffer loss — The loss of that peculiar degree of glory.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye — All Christians. Are the temple of God — The most noble kind of building, 1 Corinthians 3:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
If any man destroy the temple of God — Destroy a real Christian, by schisms, or doctrines fundamentally wrong. Him shall God destroy — He shall not be saved at all; not even as through the fire.... [ Continue Reading ]
Let him become a fool in this world — Such as the world accounts so. That he may become wise — In God's account.... [ Continue Reading ]
For all the boasted wisdom of the world is mere foolishness in the sight of God. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness — Not only while they think they are acting wisely, but by their very wisdom, which itself is their snare, and the occasion of their destruction. Job 5:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
That they are but vain — Empty, foolish; they and all their thoughts. Psalms 94:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore — Upon the whole. Let none glory in men — So as to divide into parties on their account. For all things are yours — and we in particular. We are not your lords, but rather your servants.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whether Paul or Apollos, or Cephas — We are all equally yours, to serve you for Christ's sake. Or the world — This leap from Peter to the world greatly enlarges the thought, and argues a kind of impatience of enumerating the rest. Peter and every one in the whole world, however excellent in gifts, o... [ Continue Reading ]
And ye are Christ's — His property, his subjects. his members. And Christ is God's — As Mediator, he refers all his services to his Father's glory.... [ Continue Reading ]