Paul points to the Corinthians' jealousy and conflict as evidence that they are not maturing spiritually. They have become stagnant in their growth, still at the "infant" stage of their spiritual maturity. Paul uses reason to point out the problem with their disputes over who is the superior teacher. It is God who gave each of them the opportunity to believe, using Apollos and Paul as instruments. (v.5) Paul introduced them to the truth. Apollos contributed teaching afterward, but it was God that actually brought about growth in them. (v.6-7)
Everyone who works and gives themselves and their resources for God's purposes is united. No matter what their unique role may be. Paul may have laid the foundation, but he says his ability to do so was because of God's grace (undeserved favor) toward him. What Paul seems to be hammering home with all of this is the idea that we should not put each other up on platforms, but recognize that it is God using all of us, in the spotlight or in the shadows, to do what he alone is empowering us to do.
Paul continues, saying that no one can lay a foundation that isn't based on and originating in Christ. Starting in verse 12, Paul begins alluding to the time when Christ will judge everyone based on their work. This may sound wrong to someone from a heavily "grace" oriented background. We're not saved by works, are we? No. We're saved by God's gift to us, through Jesus' death and payment for our sins. Look more closely at the text here.
Verses 12-15 describe how a person's deeds will be tested, using the metaphor of fire, a symbol for judgment in the Bible. Those who have invested in the things that matter, things of "substance", will see their work survive. This represents work we do that has eternal impact. Work that invests in other people and in their understanding of and relationship to God. Although we don't know specifics, their will be rewards for this kind of investment! Those who invest in only physical things or self-serving efforts will see that those objects and pleasures don't last. They won't receive any reward for them, but they will still be saved from Hell.
Paul pleads with the Corinthians to understand that the God of all the universe, the ultimate being, the perfect life, lives inside of them. The Greek here is plural. So Paul is saying that they, collectively, are the "temple" of God. He warns that anyone that tries to destroy that temple (the implication in context would refer to those destroying Christian unity through petty arguing) will be destroyed. The Greek word for destroyed here can mean either corruption or death. So those who corrupt the relationships that make up a church community, will be either allowed to become corrupt themselves, and face the consequences, or may even be caused to die!
Paul further pleads for their humility, setting the record straight about where the greatest wisdom can be found. He says that anyone who thinks they are wise by the popular culture's standards, should become a fool by those same standards if they hope to become truly wise. Truth and real wisdom come from God. He is the only completely reliable source. And though popular culture may think God's ideas are foolish, God knows that truth is not determined by democratic vote.
This chapter ends with Paul putting things in perspective. We don't need to strive for significance or popularity. All the things that really matter have been given to us already! And we belong to God. We're his special possession. That gives us more significance than anything else possibly could.
Coffee House Question- Why do you think we find it so hard to find our significance in God instead of in our own achievements or possessions?
Next Week- How we should think of ourselves and other Christians.
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