And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. Truth to Learn All things are ours, but we are owned servants of God. Meaning Explained In the previous verse, Paul gave a fairly concise description of what Christians possess as God’s children. Lest we get puffed up by our possessions (whether...
1 Corinthians 3:22 – All Has Been Given
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I know it has been awhile since I sent out my last verse. I have had to take a little time off to re-evaluate this ministry. As you may know, since last December, I have been seeking permission from Thomas Nelson (Harper Collins...
1 Corinthians 3:21 – Focus on Him
Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: Truth to Learn We need to keep our focus on God and humbly serve Him. Behind the Words “Therefore” is translated from the Greek word hōste. This word is made up of hōs, meaning “as” and the particle...
1 Corinthians 3:20 – God’s Way, Not the World’s
and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." Truth to Learn God’s way is the only way to present God’s truths. Behind the Words The word translated “again” is palin. This is probably derived from pale, which refers to a back-and-forth struggle. Palin means...
1 Corinthians 3:19 – Wisdom or Foolishness?
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; Truth to Learn Good’s foolishness is better than the world’s wisdom. Behind the Words Kosmos is the Greek word translated “world.” It refers to “order” or “arrangement.” It...
1 Corinthians 3:18 – When Wisdom is Foolish
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. Truth to Learn Use your gifts with wisdom, but not worldly wisdom. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “deceive” is exapataō. This word...
1 Corinthians 3:17 – Destruction Equals Destruction
If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. Truth to Learn Destroying a church has dire consequences. Behind the Words “Anyone” is translated from the indefinite pronoun tis, which means “someone,” “a certain one,” or “anyone.”...
1 Corinthians 3:16 – We Are God’s Temple
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? Truth to Learn The body of Christ (the church) is the Temple of God. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “know” is eidō, which means “to see.” However, it...
1 Corinthians 3:15 – Enduring or Flammable?
If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Truth to Learn We need to build with enduring works, not flammable works. Behind the Words Katakaiō is the Greek word translated “burned.” It is made up of kata, meaning...
1 Corinthians 3:14 – Crowns of Victory
If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. Truth to Learn Our works in building up the church will be tested by fire and the good works will result in a reward. Behind the Words “Anyone’s” is translated from a form of tis,...
1 Corinthians 3:13 – The Fire Test
each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. Truth to Learn We need to be working in the church for God’s glory. Behind the Words “Each...
1 Corinthians 3:12 – Church Building Materials
Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, Truth to Learn We all need to be mindful of how we build the church. Behind the Words “Builds” is from apoikomeō, which we saw back in verse ten, meaning “to build a structure.” The...
1 Corinthians 3:11 – A Sure Foundation
For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Truth to Learn The church can only be as strong as its foundation. Behind the Words The word translated “other” is allos, meaning “another of the same kind.” A similar Greek word, heteros, means...
1 Corinthians 3:10 – Construction Gifts
According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. Truth to Learn Christians are to use their gifts to build up the...
1 Corinthians 3:9 – Builder or Spectator?
For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. Truth to Learn Every Christian is assigned a task in building God’s church and we all need to be hard at work, not just watching. Behind the Words In this verse, each time the word “God’s”...
1 Corinthians 3:8 – Unity and Individuality
Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. Truth to Learn The work of ministry is a team effort, but the rewards given will be based on individual effort. Behind the Words “One” is translated...
1 Corinthians 3:7 – Faithfully Serve and Trust
So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Truth to Learn Every Christian needs to serve, trusting God for the result. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “so then” is hōste. It is made up of hōs, meaning “in...
1 Corinthians 3:6 – Farmers and Gardeners
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. Truth to Learn We are called to be servants, planting seeds and nourishing the church. God will do the rest. Behind the Words Phuteuō is the Greek verb translated “planted.” It is derived from phuton (a plant), which is itself derived...
1 Corinthians 3:5 – Leader or Servant?
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? Truth to Learn A pastor leads by being an example of a humble servant. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “who” is tis, an interrogative pronoun meaning “who?”...
1 Corinthians 3:4 – Only One Master
For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal? Truth to Learn When preference leads to arguments, we leave the realm of the Spirit and enter the realm of the flesh. Behind the Words “Says” is translated from the Greek verb...
1 Corinthians 3:3 – Now and Later!
for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? Truth to Learn Immature Christians live for themselves; spiritual Christians live their lives in a Godly manner, for the glory of God. Behind the Words The...
1 Corinthians 3:2 – Milk or Meat?
I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; Truth to Learn Infants are satisfied with milk. Those who are growing require a lot more nourishment in order to grow. Behind...
1 Corinthians 3:1 – Eternal Babies
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. Truth to Learn Some Christians don’t grow in their relationship with Christ. Behind the Words The word “could” is translated from a form of dunamis, meaning “to be able”...