_And I, brethren_ The apostle having, in the latter part of the preceding chapter, observed that mere natural men, still unenlightened and unrenewed, receive not the things of the Spirit, begins this chapter with informing the Corinthians, that though he was an apostle, fully instructed in the mind... [ Continue Reading ]
_For while one saith, I am of Paul_ I am one of Paul's disciples, admiring his sublime sentiments, and being greatly edified by his instructive discourses: _and another, I am of Apollos_ I give the preference to Apollos, being delighted with his fine language, and the pleasing manner of his address.... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that planteth and he that watereth are one_ United in affection, and engaged in one general design, the design of glorifying God in the salvation of souls, though their labours may be in some respect different: and hence, instead of being pleased, we are rather displeased and grieved with those... [ Continue Reading ]
_According to the grace of God_ This he premises, lest he should seem to ascribe any thing to himself; _as a wise master-builder_ A _skilful architect_, directed by divine wisdom; _I have laid the foundation_ Jesus Christ and him crucified, a foundation sufficient to support the whole fabric of Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
_If any man build upon this foundation_ Thus firmly laid; _gold, silver, precious stones_ The most valuable materials in nature, the most solid, durable, and precious, and which can bear the fire. And here they stand for true, firm, and important doctrines; doctrines necessary to be known, believed,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Every man's work shall be made manifest God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil, Ecclesiastes 12:14_. _There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, neither hid, that shall not be known._ But the apostle's primary meaning he... [ Continue Reading ]
_If any maws work abide which he hath built_, &c. If the superstructure which any minister of Christ raises on the true foundation, if the doctrines which he preaches can bear the test by which they shall be tried at that day, as being true, important, and adapted to the state of his hearers; and th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Know ye not_, &c. As if he had said, You should also lake heed what doctrine you deliver, lest by teaching what is false, unimportant, or improper to be taught, you should defile or destroy the temple of God; _that_ ye True believers, genuine Christians; _are the temple of God_ Whether considered c... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let no man deceive himself_ Neither teacher, by propagating errors through pride of his own understanding; nor hearers, by a factious preferring of one above another for his gifts. _If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world_ Be wise with respect to the things of this world only, and on... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore_ Upon the whole, considering all that has been advanced, and especially considering in what view the great God regards these things which we are so ready to value ourselves upon; _let no man glory in men_ So as to divide into parties on their account; _for all things are yours_ And we in... [ Continue Reading ]