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First Corinthians 3:21-4:6

The believers in the church in Corinth were the temple of God; Gods building, of which Paul had laid the
foundation, and other God-appointed teachers had built up. Paul issued a dire warning to those in Corinth
who presumed to destroy Gods temple by putting out the light of truth with their Greek philosophical lies.
Paul assured these self-appointed men within the assembly that they would be certain to encounter Gods
judgment if they continued on their present course; and as Paul surmises that they are not believers, that
judgment would be their eternal condemnation; utter destruction.
Now as Paul continues, he draws a conclusion from this, meant for the believers in the church in Corinth.
[Read First Corinthians 3:21-23]
Paul is saying, Let me draw the right conclusion for you, from what I have just said. Think of what Paul
has just been talking about.
Since these self-promoting men are heading for certain judgment on their present course - do you believers
in the assembly still think you should follow them? Do you still want to exult in the mixture they have
made, of lies with the truth? Do you still want to argue with each other, about which illustrious leader has
it right - when they all have it wrong?
NO - of course you dont. As Paul writes it, Therefore - let no one boast in men. Pauls phrasing here
takes us back to the end of chapter 1; lets glance at that again.
Thats where Paul showed that not many of the wise, the mighty, and the noble - the somebodies, in this
world - responded to the call of the gospel; but instead, the foolish; the weak; the base - the nobodies. Why
were they chosen by God to be saved? Because they were humble enough to see their need TO be saved;
they gratefully received the Savior that God had sent.
Gods purpose in choosing the nobodies for salvation was stated by Paul in verse 29 - so that no flesh - no
son of Adam - should glory - that is, boast - in His presence. And as Paul concludes, he shows that this
fulfills the word of God - let he who glories - he who boasts - let him boast in the LORD (1 Cor 1:26-31).
When youre a nobody, and the Lord makes you a somebody in Christ, who gets the credit? The Lord. We
nobodies know that.
And thats the basis of Pauls conclusion, in our passage today. The Corinthians have been dazzled with the
thinking of various prominent men - men who Paul sees have not humbled themselves, to receive Jesus as
their Lord. These men thought nothing of mixing Gods truth in Christ with lies, and feeding it to
undiscerning believers, in the assembly.
But now that Paul has shed light on the true situation - exposing these men to be mere men in the flesh Paul expects the Corinthian believers to make the right determination - that they must stop being enamored
with them; stop following them.
Who is the only one worthy of following - the only one they should glory in? The Lord, who has given to
them everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3).

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And thats Pauls point, as he continues; as Christ Ones, they have everything they need. They have no
need to boast in mere men, who have nothing to offer them - nothing of any eternal value. In Christ, all
things are already theirs - all the things that matter.
But what does Paul mean by that? And what are we to make of the list that follows, which at first glance
seems rather disjointed? We have Paul, and death, and Apollos, and the world; and at the end, Paul
reiterates - all things are yours.
Paul gives us a clue as to the direction of his mind in verse 23. More literally, it would read, And you are
of Christ; and Christ is of God. What were the slogans that were reported to Paul, of which we read at the
beginning of the letter - things the Corinthians were saying? I am of Paul; I am of Apollos; I am of
Cephas; I am of Christ. They used this as a platform of authority to promote their own thinking.
Paul is showing them here where the true authority lies. And for the sake of following his thought in the
list, were going to work backward from verse 23.
In what sense would Paul mean that Christ is of God - meaning the Father here? The Father and the Son
are equally God, are they not? But the Son subordinated Himself under the Father, in order to carry out the
work of redemption - thats why Paul uses Christ, pointing to His work. He subordinated Himself to the
Father, in order to see that the Fathers purposes were carried out; to save men.
And Paul says that you - the believers in Corinth - are of Christ. In what sense? Those who believed into
Jesus subordinated themselves to Him as their Lord; their Master. Believers submit to Christ, in order to
carry out His purposes on the earth - to reconcile men to God. And in doing so, this fits the Fathers
purposes, as well.
Now we back up to Pauls list, in verse 22; to the selection of all things that Paul has chosen. Paul is
saying, all these things are yours; they are subordinated to you; as believers, they now serve your purpose.
What purpose is that? To become a son of God. And that serves Christs purpose; and the Fathers
purpose. These things now work for you; they play a part in the transformative process, under time, of you
taking your place as Gods son, in glory.
And Paul chose the items of his list, oh so carefully. For the items on this list were the very things that
were dividing the Corinthians up, as an assembly.
There was the strife over their former teachers; the philosophical contentions about the way the world
operates; the meaning of life; what happens after death; the right way to live; and if a man can see what the
future holds. Now we can see that Pauls list had more cohesiveness than we first thought!
The prominent men in their assembly with their various philosophies had nothing to offer them, but endless
debates on these topics; debates, leading to division. Why? Because all they could offer, as natural men,
were speculations about these things - as imagined by their darkened, self-serving thinking.
But in Christ, these things can be clearly and rightly understood. From Gods perspective, the believer can
see that these things all serve the Fathers plans for His sons - so now, lets look at just how these things
were working, for the believers in Corinth.
Paul began with himself, Apollos and Cephas - Peter. The Lord had appointed each of them as ministers of
His Word.

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All of them had taught in Corinth, each in their unique way, serving to build up the believers in Corinth in
the truth - so that they would grow in the grace and the knowledge of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2
Pet 3:18). And as the believers in Corinth took in the light of truth, and believed it, it became a part of who
they are, as Gods sons - the part that will reflect God, forever.
What about the world? The believers in Corinth used to be part of that world system; and when they were a
part of it, they couldnt get the proper perspective on it - being on the inside. They didnt understand that
that system was at enmity with God, and that they were born into it, and that they served it.
But now, the world served them; working to fulfill Gods purpose for them, as His sons. Theyre still in the
world; but theyre no longer of it; no longer a slave of the system.
The world has become their practice ground, for righteousness - for they need practice, in order to be
prepared for ruling and reigning - as a son of God. And the world also gives them practice in learning to
love - for in the kingdom, they will rule over others by serving them, in love. So the world works for them,
in that way.
And what about life? How does life in this body of flesh serve the believer? The Christ One really knows
the meaning of that fleeting life, which philosophers love to debate. Life, in this body of flesh, is an
opportunity - an opportunity that God gives to every man, to accept His invitation - to become a son of
God. And that opportunity is limited - no man knows how long his life will be.
Believers have accepted Gods invitation, while there was still time; and now their life in the body becomes
a further opportunity. For what? For their sanctification - as moment by moment in this life, they choose
to yield that body as an instrument of righteousness, to God (Rm 6:13). They redeem the time they have in
this body (Eph 5:16) - and so this life works for them.
And then theres death. Death used to reign over our bodies, didnt it (Rm 5:14)? Just like all the other
sons of Adam. But believers are a new creation, in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 5:17). And in Christ, death no
longer has dominion over us - just as it no longer has dominion over Him (Rm 6:9). Death no longer reigns
over us - it no longer has the final say, over our bodies.
Christ has redeemed our bodies, through His resurrection from the dead (1 Pet 1:3). This means that even
Death now works for us. How? It serves Gods purpose, to release us - souls of spirit life - from our
bodies, that we may be immediately present with the Lord (2 Cor 5:8).
And Death further serves us as the means by which God will raise the mortal body up as an immortal body
of glory, through the power of eternal life within it (Eph 1:18-20), which our bodies received, when we first
believed.
Finally, Paul speaks of things present, and things to come - the circumstances of life, present and future always beyond mens control; always the source of so much worry for men, fueling their philosophical
discussions.
Paul says to the believers in Corinth - all circumstances, present and future, now serve you; they are
working to realize Gods plans for you, as His sons. After all, isnt God in control of all those
circumstances - your Lord, who loves you; who only allows the best for you?
To the Roman believers, Paul would write, All things work together for good to those who love God, to
those who are the called according to His purpose (Rm 8:28).

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God ensures that all the circumstances of this present life - circumstances that He allows in the believers
life - are working for his good. They are working together to bring about Gods good purpose in His life to build into the son the character of the Father - holiness - and the heart of the Father - love. And so the
present circumstances, whatever they may be, serve the believer.
But how can future circumstances work for the believer? They havent even happened yet, in time. But
God isnt subject to time, is He? Our future is part of His eternity; and there, He holds our future, firmly in
His hand.
The believers future is not subject to speculative theories; it has already been predetermined in the plan of
the Father, and secured by the work of Christ. It is so certain, in fact, that it gives the believer hope, in the
present time - a know-so hope that shall not disappoint (Rm 5:5); a hope for which we eagerly wait (Gal
5:5), with perseverance, until that hope is realized in glory (1 Pet 1:3-9).
All things are yours - they serve you - just as they served the believers in Corinth, to bring Gods great
purpose to fruition, in their lives. They had been given everything that pertains to life and godliness - and
thats everything they needed.
Pauls words were meant to correct the tendency of the Corinthians to carve out their own course, to God which is often our tendency, too. God has already carved the course, in Christ. He is the captain of our
salvation, who is bringing many sons to glory (Heb 2:10); all that remains is for us to follow Him there.
As we continue in the letter, we come to a chapter break; but the next section is really a conclusion to all
that Paul has said in chapter 3.
[First Corinthians 4:1-6]
v. 1-4 Paul had left off in the last passage on the theme of subordination: believers, subject to Christ, as
their Lord; and Christ, in His subordination to the Father. Now Paul uses this same idea to help the
believers in Corinth get the right perspective on their God-appointed teachers.
Although Paul listed their teachers as one of the things that worked for the believers in Corinth - serving
the believers through their ministry to bring about the Fathers purposes - Paul doesnt want them to think
this meant their teachers were subject to them. And to show this, Paul uses yet another illustration - this
time of a servant and a steward.
The believers in Corinth needed to see that the teachers God sent them were all servants of Christ. This
word for servant literally means an under rower; it refers to a galley slave, who rowed on the bottom tier of
a ship. What an apt description for those who taught the Word of God to the Body of Christ on earth, as
they labored under the authority of their Lord to steer the church into its harbor, in heaven - including the
believers in Corinth!
Paul joins another illustration directly with this one: the teachers were also stewards of the mysteries of
God. A steward was often a slave; a servant who was entrusted with managing the household for his
master.
The steward had charge of the house, the food, the clothing - even the masters children sometimes. The
steward was responsible for distributing things to the family as they had need of them. This authority was
of course delegated to the steward from his master, to whom the steward was directly accountable.

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So Paul is saying that the teachers in Corinth were stewards. What is it that they distributed, in verse 1?
The mysteries of God; this refers the revelation that God made of His Christ; all of the gospel truths, which
had been entrusted to the ministers of the Word, in the Body of Christ: the apostles, prophets, evangelists,
pastors, teachers (Eph 4:11).
And who did they distribute those gospel truths to? To the household of God; those who had born again,
into the family of God, of the incorruptible Seed, Christ. Believers are the children of the household.
What Paul wants to bring out with his dual illustration is that, while the teachers are the servants of Christ,
they are also stewards - which means that while they are under the authority of Christ, they have also been
authorized by Him to share the truth concerning Him. And in order to receive that truth, what must the
children do? Submit to their God-appointed teachers? Yes.
This is what was NOT happening in Corinth, particularly with Paul. The believers in Corinth had to
acknowledge that Pauls preaching demonstrated the power of the Holy Spirit - they had the evidence of
that power in their own lives (2:4). From this, they could not avoid the conclusion that Paul was a teacher
sent to them from God.
Yet the believers sat in judgment on Paul; they were critical of him. As weve learned, they didnt like what
he said; they didnt like how he said it; and they especially didnt like his redundancy, reviewing the same
basic truths, over and over again.
Thats what Paul is talking about, in verse 3. Now that hes left, theyre judging him; not examining what
he has taught in the light of the Holy Spirit, to understand the truth - which they should always have been
doing (2:15); but instead, judging Paul in a condemning sort of way. Paul only gave them milk; he didnt
teach them anything deeper; or super spiritual; he didnt give them theological proofs; or provide
persuasive arguments. It was all so . elementary.
Now, Paul had no problem with criticism; he certainly had plenty of experience with that! But this
condemning attitude was undermining his God-given authority with the church in Corinth; and further, it
undermined the gospel. It was this, Paul had a problem with; because Paul was a faithful steward; he gave
his all to see that he fulfilled His Masters charge.
You see, Paul understood that the only judgment that mattered was the Lords judgment of him. A steward
is accountable to his master. And what is it that the master expects of his steward - in verse 2? What is
required, of a steward? That he be found faithful; that is, that he faithfully carried out his responsibility as a
steward, of the master.
The loyalty of the steward to the master and to his wishes must be undivided. And that was the key virtue,
of a steward; trustworthiness. Paul knew that His Master, the Lord, had entrusted a great trust to him; and
his only concern was that he would be found worthy of that trust.
In verse 3, Paul is saying that in his estimation, the critical judgment of the Corinthians is insignificant.
Now, Paul doesnt mean to say that he holds their judgment in low esteem; and to bring that out, Paul goes
on to say he also considers it insignificant to be judged by any human court.
Mans view of Pauls ministry means next to nothing, to Paul. Why? Because mans viewpoint is
frequently skewed. His judgment is colored by his own perspective of matters; by his limited knowledge of
the facts; by his previous experiences; and by the opinions he has cultivated.

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And that extends to the believers in Corinth, as well; after all, what do the children understand about the
responsibility of the steward, in their house?
And Paul even includes himself, in the court of human opinion. As far as he is aware, he knows of nothing
in his ministry in which he has been disobedient to the Lord; his conscience is clear. But in his humility,
Paul recognizes that even his own judgment of his stewardship would be incomplete; its still a human
judgment, with its limitations and flawed perceptions. Only the judgment of God is infallible.
What Paul wants the believers in Corinth to know is that he doesnt aim to secure their esteem, nor to avoid
their disapproval. If he is not popular; if his preaching is not considered eloquent; if his ministry is not
thought to be successful - none of that matters, to Paul.
What matters to him, as it should to any good steward, is the judgment of His Master - and only His. And
as Paul continues, he shows the children of the household the correct conclusion, which they should be
drawing.
v. 5 Now, Paul is being specific here. Hes not saying they should not make any judgments at all; as well
see in this letter, Paul will tell them some judgments that they should be making - such as concerning sin, in
their assembly (1 Cor 5:9-13). And Paul has already related to them that he who is spiritual judges all
things; he should examine everything in the light of the Holy Spirit, to know what is truth and what is error
(1 Cor 2:15).
Within the context, Paul is specifically saying they are not to judge anything about his ministry, as one
whom the Lord Himself has appointed as their teacher. Of course, that would apply to any other teacher
whom God sent to Corinth, as well - Apollos; Cephas. The Spirit would give them the discernment to
know the stewards of the mysteries of God. They must leave it to the Lord to judge His stewards - thats
not their part.
Their part is to learn, from their appointed teachers. So instead of condemning Paul, they should be
examining what he taught them in the light of the Spirit. Then they would get understanding of these
elemental truths, become established in the faith - and finally be ready to move on to solid food - the deep
things of God!
Notice that Paul tells them when it is that the Lord will make His judgment. What time, is Paul referring
to? Its the Lords coming - the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ (1:8), which Paul has just written to them
about (3:10-15). Thats no human court; that the true supreme court.
Thats when each ones work will be made manifest - what he has built of the life that Christ has given him.
Everything will be brought to light, at the Judgment Seat of Christ; not just the actions and words, but the
motives behind them.
And for every work that was done in the Lord, the believer will receive a reward - and here we read, praise
- commendation: Well done, good and faithful servant (Mt 25:21, 23). And Paul lived for that praise,
from his Master - not for any mans.
The believers in Corinth could not help but to think of themselves, as Paul wrote them these words - for
they knew they would be subject to that judgment, as well. And nothing will be hidden from the God with
whom we have to do.

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What was the motive of their heart, in their condemning attitude towards the teacher that God sent them?
Pride, perhaps? Would the Lord be able to praise them, in that Day?
Paul then sums up what he has been saying about those God sent to teach in Corinth.
v. 6 To understand what Paul is saying here, we need to begin with his term, figuratively transferred. He
is talking about all of the figures he has been using, to help the Corinthians understand how true teachers of
the Lord minister - illustrations from which the Corinthians can learn.
There was the farming illustration; Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase (3:6). Theyre
both teachers, but theyre different men; with different personalities, different styles of teaching, different
experiences in life that shaped them.
And the Lord used each one to teach, but differently - all to bring about His purpose, for sons of God. They
were one in the work; but they wont be one in the reward. Each one will be rewarded according to his
own labor (3:8).
Then there was the building illustration. There Paul disclosed the nature of his ministry - his was a
foundational work, preaching the gospel where the name of Christ had never been heard; where people
didnt know about the true and living God, who sent His Son as the Savior of the world. Apollos, and
others, built on the foundation Paul laid; they created further understanding of the gospel truths. But it was
the same building.
And last, Paul used the illustration of a servant who was a steward. Those who minister the Word of God
have been given a great trust, for which they will be held accountable by their Lord and Master, Jesus
Christ, in the Day of the believers judgment. But His is the only judgment that matters - that must matter.
Paul wrote these figurative examples for the Corinthian believers, so that they could learn from them.
What was it Paul intended them to learn? That none of them should be puffed up on behalf of one teacher,
against the other.
The teachers of the Lord were different, but they were united in the same work, for the same Master. And
the Corinthians were not free to critically tear them apart, or to use them as a means to inflate themselves,
in the eyes of others. They were free to learn from them; and as they did, they would together be built up
in the Lord, as His brightly shining temple, in Corinth.
Reading: 1 Cor 4; Eph 2:4-7, Col 3:1-4, Phil 3:7-14, 2 Cor 4, 11:16-28.