III. (1) AND I. — Again, as in 1 Corinthians 2:6, the Apostle shows how general principles which he has just explained were exemplified in his own conduct. In the closing verses of 1 Corinthians 2 St. Paul has enunciated the general method of teaching spiritual truth as being dependent upon the rec... [ Continue Reading ]
MILK... MEAT. — The use of the word “infant” naturally suggests these two images for the higher wisdom and for the simpler truths of the gospel respectively. HITHERTO YE WERE NOT ABLE. — Better, _for ye were not yet able._ Up to this point the Apostle has been speaking of the condition in which he... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER YET NOW ARE YE ABLE, FOR YE ARE YET CARNAL. — Better, _but not even now are ye able, for ye are still carnal._ It is for this absence of growth — for their continuing up to this time in the same condition — that the Apostle reproaches them; and he shows that the fault which they find with hi... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHEREAS. — Better, _For since there is._ AS MEN. — Better, _after the manner of man_ — _i.e.,_ after a merely human and not after a spiritually enlightened manner. In Romans 3:5; Galatians 1:2, also Romans 15:5, the opposite condition is expressed by the same Greek particle used with our Lord’s... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE SAITH, I AM OF PAUL. — These and the following words explain exactly what the Apostle means by their being “carnal,” and walking after a merely human manner. Only two of the factions — those of Paul and of Apollos — are mentioned as types of the rest. The factious spirit was in each and all the... [ Continue Reading ]
The Apostle now proceeds to explain (1 Corinthians 3:5) what is the true position and work of Christian ministers. He asserts that all alike — both those who teach the simpler truths, and those who build up upon that primary knowledge — are only instruments in God’s hand; and in 1 Corinthians 3:10 ... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE PLANTED, APOLLOS WATERED. — By an image borrowed from the processes of agriculture the Apostle explains the relation in which his teaching stood to that of Apollos — and how all the results were from God. This indication of St. Paul having been the founder, and Apollos the subsequent instruct... [ Continue Reading ]
ANY THING — _i.e.,_ “anything worth mentioning” (1 Corinthians 10:19; Galatians 2:6; Galatians 6:3).... [ Continue Reading ]
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... [ Continue Reading ]
Thrice in this verse the Apostle repeats the name of God with emphasis, to explain and to impress the assertion of the previous verse, that men are to recognise the unity, and God alone the diversity, in the ministerial work and office. “_We_ are GOD’S fellow-labourers; _you_ are GOD’S field — GOD’S... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING TO THE GRACE OF GOD. — The Apostle being about to speak of himself as “a wise masterbuilder,” takes care by commencing his statement with these words to show that he is not indulging in self-laudation, but merely pointing out what God had given him the grace to do. (See Romans 1:5; Romans... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW IF ANY MAN... — Better, _But if any man._ PRECIOUS STONES. — Not gems, but grand and costly stones, such as marble. “Hay,” dried grass used to fill up chinks in the walls. “Stubble,” stalks with the ears of corn cut off, and used for making a roof of thatch. Many ingenious attempts have been ma... [ Continue Reading ]
REVEALED BY FIRE. — Better, _revealed in fire._ For the general scope of this passage, see 1 Corinthians 3:12 above. The day of the coming of the Lord is always thus represented as bursting suddenly with a rush of light and blaze of fire upon the earth. (See Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:1; 2 Thessalonians... [ Continue Reading ]
This is the general application to Christian teachers of what has gone before. Those who have built well shall have their reward in their work having survived the trial of the fire; those who have built otherwise shall lose everything — their work, which should have remained as their reward, will pe... [ Continue Reading ]
SO AS. — These words remind us that the whole passage, and especially the reference to fire, is to be regarded as metaphorical, and not to be understood in a literal and physical sense. Forgetting this, Roman divines have evolved from these words the doctrine of purgatory.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TEMPLE OF GOD. — From the thought of grand edifices in general the Apostle goes on to the particular case of a building which is not only splendid but “holy” — the temple of God — thus reminding the reader that the rich and valuable metals and stones spoken of previously are to represent spiritu... [ Continue Reading ]
IF ANY MAN DEFILE. — Better, _If any man destroy_ — the opposite of “building up,” which should be the work of the Christian teacher; the architectural image being still in view. WHICH TEMPLE YE ARE. — Literally, _the which are y_e, “which” referring rather to holy than to the temple; the argument... [ Continue Reading ]
Passing from the difference between the work of one teacher and that of another, which has occupied him since 1 Corinthians 3:5, the Apostle now returns to the subject from which he branched off there (the magnifying of one teacher above another), and proceeds to show (1 Corinthians 3:18) that merel... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH GOD. — Better, _in the sight of God_ (Romans 2:13). FOR IT IS WRITTEN. — By two passages, one from Job, and the other from the Psalms, St. Paul proves the truth of his previous assertion regarding God’s estimate of mere “worldly wisdom.” It may be noticed that with the exception of the referen... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE. — Not because of what has been mentioned, but introducing what he is about to mention. Let party-spirit cease. Do not degrade yourselves by calling yourselves after the names of any man, for everything is yours — then teachers only exist for you. The enthusiasm of the Apostle, as he speak... [ Continue Reading ]
AND CHRIST IS GOD’S. — Probably these words were added, not only as being the great climax of the gradual ascent up which the Apostle’s thoughts and language have gone in the whole passage, but as avoiding any danger of the party who called themselves by the name of Christ, arrogating anything to th... [ Continue Reading ]