1 Corinthians 3
As you read through the Bible, some sections make you uncomfortable — this is just such a section; Paul’s warning remains as relevant today as 2,000 years ago when he penned it. If it applies, heed it. If not, learn from it and keep it as a warning; sooner or later you’ll need it.
Paul spoke of divisions in chapter one, the superiority of God’s wisdom over man’s philosophy in chapter two, while chapter three continues on divisions, but from a different angle, the carnal Christian. A carnal Christian doesn’t walk by the spirit, but by the flesh, frequently being ruled by legalism instead of grace, causing divisions and strife in the body of Christ in the process. But remember Paul speaks to Christians, not the unsaved; the uncomfortable part of Paul’s warning arises from its application to all Christians, in all churches.
Legalistic Christians live by regulations, expecting everyone else to follow the same rules — a modern day Pharisee. The Pharisees believed spirituality came by following a set of rules (having scorn for anyone not following it), and even today it’s a common mistake to believe following a list of rules demonstrates spirituality; Paul actually makes the opposite point in Romans.
Legalists follow certain leaders (and philosophies) teaching what they want to hear, forming groups around them and arguing with anyone who doesn’t believe in “their” way (as it’s the only spiritual way, nevermind the Bible doesn’t contain the list of rules they attempt to force on everyone else). Perhaps you’ve been beat down by a legalistic Christian — maybe last week or last year, it doesn’t matter — unfortunately it’s quite common as modern Pharisees heap contempt on anyone not following their made-up rules.
Legalism — you’ve run into those saying the church can only sing songs on some mystical “approved” list, you have to act a certain way (a method they only possess), and so on. Many people believe the Pharisees act spiritually, after all, they follow all these rules nobody else pays any attention to. Yet what does Paul say in Romans?
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. … And he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (Romans 14:14, 14:23-5:1 KJV)
Who is the weak one? It’s not the one you think — it’s the person with legalistic rules. For Christians in Paul’s day, everyone wanted to know if a Christian could eat ham (follow the law or not). Paul understood you have freedom from the law, so yes, it’s acceptable to have a ham sandwich. Others never ate ham. The weak Christian follows rules; Paul points out those knowing legalistic rules are invalid should bear with those weaker following legalism instead of grace — perhaps as they grow they will move beyond legalism. You see, the person having rules can’t walk by grace, requiring a list of rules telling him what to do and not do, while the person walking by grace has no need.
Why does legalism creep in? People find more comfort in legalism than in grace. It’s that simple. If you have a list of do’s and don’ts, it becomes easy to check the list and see how you’re doing — read 5 chapters in the Bible. Check. Helped 3 little old ladies across the street. Check. Volunteered in Sunday school. Check. Only allowed “approved” songs to be sung. Check. And so on.
Someone (we don’t remember who) spoke of the simplicity of grace — love God with all your heart and do whatever you want; God gives the desires of your heart. God giving you the desires of your heart does not mean God performs like a genie granting wishes, rather it means God gives you the motivation to do certain things (as long as you’re sensitive to the spirit and walking by grace). If you love God, you’ll naturally do certain things, and avoid others. No legalism needed.
Perhaps you recall an old episode of MASH (the old TV show, yes we’re old-timers), with BJ and Hawkeye talking about having an affair while stationed in Korea. Hawkeye (as you’ll recall) was the skirt-chaser, while BJ remained faithful to his wife, even in a time of war in a country far away. Naturally Hawkeye didn’t understand how (or why) he could do that. BJ responded it’s not because he believed God would strike him down, or even that cheating on his wife was wrong, he simply didn’t want to.
It’s all grace. If you truly love God, you simply won’t do certain things — not because a rule exists, but because you simply don’t want to. Yet legalistic attitudes remain throughout the church frequently causing divisions and strife; learning how to handle legalistic Christians becomes vital.
If the law is on your side, pound on the law.
If the facts are on your side, pound on the facts.
If neither is on your side, pound on the table.
If someone approaches you with legalism or something you know is wrong, just say I don’t agree, and move on. If the person becomes hostile and angry while continuing to argue, it could be because they have neither the law nor the facts on their side. The most heated arguments occur as the legalistic person knows the truth and facts aren’t on their side, but they simply can’t stand anyone not following their rules — a modern Pharisee.
Don’t misunderstand, we must agree on the foundations of Christianity or you’re not a Christian no matter what you claim, but the the rest is fluff. Legalism about which songs to sing, what instruments to use, which bible translation, baptism forward or backward, sprinkle or dunk, wine or grape juice for communion and on and on and on — the carnal Christian divides over such things, attempting to argue everyone around them to their position.
Those walking by the spirit know such rules don’t apply as the Bible contains God’s complete message — there’s nothing missing we need, and nothing in it we don’t need. So if God didn’t see fit to give an “approved” song list in his instruction manual, why should fights occur over it? Why do divisions come over baptism? Yes, you should be baptized, but nothing in the Bible states exactly how that should occur. Sprinkle, dunk, or something else? Yet music and baptism continue to split churches — this should not be.
However, one more important idea must remain in focus. We need correction, so avoiding legalism isn’t “hands-off” where nobody issues correction, and everyone does whatever is right in their own eyes (God has been quite clear on certain matters); you must speak the truth in love. Avoiding legalism does not mean avoiding correction, rather it’s how you issue correction determining whether you’re carnal or not.
How do you know if correction occurs by the spirit instead of the flesh? If tears, hurt feelings, strife, division and a lack of peace result, it’s a hint someone used carnal and fleshly methods to “correct” or instruct. The goal must be building up, not tearing down, as no attack sheep (should) exist in the body of Christ and no ministry exists of pointing out faults of others. Don’t take our word for it, look it up for yourself (we’ll wait).
But you may ask how to know if actions are carnal or not? An excellent question. As usual, you don’t need to guess, just allow Paul to explain which is which in his letter to the Galatians. First, the spiritual Christian.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: (Galatians 5:22 KJV)
The fruit is love. Period. Paul deals with love in chapter thirteen, but for now understand the remainder of the list expands on love. Peace, lack of pride and arrogance, gentleness, and so on characterize those walking in the spirit by grace. Thus, if someone acts contrary to that list, it’s carnal. What specific evidence of carnality exists? Back to Galatians as Paul lists those characteristics as well.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousy, wrath, factions, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: (Galatians 5:19-21 KJV)
Contentions, ambitions, dissensions and so on — the marks of the carnal Christian. Keep those definitions in mind as we explore chapter three.
Many people have been beat-up by drive-by attack sheep feeling it’s their duty to beat you down or argue for “their” position. Paul warns of the carnality of that position, as well as being unspiritual, unproductive, and divisive. That in no way means compromising doctrine or approving of sinful lifestyles, but arguing over petty things is flat-out wrong. Building up the body of Christ, not tearing down should be the goal and motivation of actions.
So why is this a big deal? We’ve been called a heretic, lost, false prophet and more, with some of the worst attacks coming from people claiming to be Christians. Unfortunately, we’re not alone in the experience, as the carnal Christian frequently leaves a trail of broken bodies in their path as they rip through the body of Christ like a category 5 hurricane. After such an attack, it’s easy to become discouraged, so much so you don’t want to use your gifts God gave you for fear of being attacked.
These problems infect all churches, because flaws corrupt everyone. Paul’s warning is so important, so relevant, and so uncomfortable, simply because it applies to all churches; no group has immunity from carnality.
So how do you handle someone who’s beating you down? Complaining you’re not using your gift “right”? Simple. First off, self-examine to determine the truthfulness of the complaint. Even if it’s a vicious attack some truth might exist in it; you must examine yourself to see if you need to make corrections, and if so, make them. That may mean getting counsel from others who have different perspectives of the situation.
But if it turns out to be false, let the attack slide off and move on with what you know God leads you to do. Don’t let your gift be stunted, and don’t become trapped by legalism, rules, philosophy or man’s wisdom; to do so denies yourself eternal rewards. Finally, realize the legalistic attack actually comes from the weaker person failing to live by grace. As Paul said in Romans you must bear with the one who is weak, not to be prideful, but understand the legalist is actually the less mature Christian.
So with that background, and keeping in mind Paul’s definitions of carnality in Galatians, let’s dive in to chapter three.
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:1 KJV)
Paul explained about the natural man and the spiritual man previously, and now splits spiritual into two groups — carnal and un-carnal. The carnal Christian maintains their salvation, but loses fruitfulness and rewards.
The people at Corinth stagnated in their faith; you should grow over time. If you’re the same today as last year it means you’re not growing as you should; carnal Christians don’t grow in grace for at least two reasons:
- Legalism in an attempt to be spiritual. The Pharisees as an example.
- Insensitivity to the spirit, lacking true desire and motivation. I’ll do the God thing later, now I want to wax my Lexus.
Both lead to carnality — not a loss of salvation, but of rewards and fruitfulness.
I have fed you with milk, and not with solid food; for to this time ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. (1 Corinthians 3:2 KJV)
Paul can’t move on to spiritual things because they haven’t grown. There’s nothing wrong with babies, but if at 10 years old the child requires a diaper like a 1 year old a problem exists. You’ll never arrive at the point where you’ve learned everything; growth should continue until you draw your last breath.
For ye are yet carnal; for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (1 Corinthians 3:3 KJV)
How do you know if you’re carnal? The existence of strife, division, gossip, anger, contention, wrath and pride. Review the fruit of the sprit vs flesh in Galatians 5 and ask which list applies? Remember, no attack sheep exist; you can’t justify beating people up by saying “I’m just correcting them — certainly they want to follow God, don’t they? It’s my gift to point out faults”.
We receive from God, how then can we boast? Corinth split into divisions based on man’s philosophy. Paul already made the point man’s wisdom proves inferior to God’s, so why divide over inferior wisdom? Why hasn’t the church learned the lesson over thousands of years?
For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? (1 Corinthians 3:4 KJV)
Following man’s philosophy instead of God’s leads to lots of problems, legalism being one of them — following complex rules instead of walking by grace. For example, God told the Jews to obey the Sabbath, but the Pharisees made hundreds of rules. When Jesus picked the grain on the Sabbath (which didn’t violate the Law), the Pharisees considered it against their legalism, and responded accordingly. And just like Pharisees today, they didn’t like their rules unfollowed, even if they’re wrong. Do it my way, or else!
You must worship in spirit and truth — but legalism means only approved songs, in a certain way. Or baptism rules where it doesn’t count if it’s not done the “approved” method. And on and on.
It’s grace, not legalism. If God considered it important, he told us. Baptism is important, but it’s a matter of the heart, not the method. So why divide over such silly details by following a certain person or method? Paul has the answer:
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? (1 Corinthians 3:5 KJV)
We’re conduit, nothing more, nothing less. In the end, everything comes from God. We’ll talk about spiritual gifts in later chapters, but suffice it to say spiritual gifts aren’t toys to play with or weapons to fight with, but tools to build up the body of Christ. Using them in ways God didn’t intend is carnal.
So where does pride come in? It doesn’t if you’re not carnal. God gave me my abilities, how can I brag about it when I had nothing to do with it? Chapter 4 expands on this — what do you have God didn’t give you? If you had nothing to do with it, why do you argue and believe you’re better than others?
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:6 KJV)
The results come from God; different people God uses differently. That doesn’t make any one superior to another. We’ll detail more later in the book when we get to spiritual gifts.
Also notice you may not see the results, as someone else may water and harvest. It’s easy to become discouraged when you don’t see results of your labor, but understand that’s just the way it is. Don’t quit, and don’t give up. Your job might be to plant the seed, and it may be decades before that seed sprouts.
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:7 KJV)
Psalm 8 — when you consider the cosmos, and the power which created it, what is man, on this tiny speck of dust? We’re all equal in the eyes of God, even though we have different missions and duties. The key comes from a good self-image — not what you see on TV, as you need neither pride nor false humility; allow Luke to explain.
“And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? “But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? “Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’” (Luke 17:7-10 KJV)
On movies and TV shows you’ve seen the old cliche — after the fireman runs into the burning building (risking his life), running up the stairs to find the trapped person inside, he strips off his oxygen mask, gives it to the woman, and with hacking and tears in his eyes from the acrid smoke, carries her back down the stairs outside to safety. Upon realizing what he did for her (and the peril), she thanks him, and he replies “Just doing my job, ma’am”.
You must have balance — neither pride and arrogance, but also realize you have been gifted by God. Don’t think humility means you walk around with an Eeyore complex — God can’t use me, I have no talents, woe, woe, woe. Not so. God gave you talents and skills, your job is to use ‘em.
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. (1 Corinthians 3:8 KJV)
Each gifting differs a bit from others. For worship, no approved song list appears in the Bible. Read the Psalms — quite a variety exists in there. Some groups say no electric guitars, only a pipe organ. If you like that, fine. But it’s not the only way to worship, and God certainly doesn’t bless certain instruments over others.
God gives general principles — like worship in spirit and truth. But each church does it their own way, and as long as they follow God’s Word it’s acceptable. God doesn’t want legalism — that’s religion. Religion is man finding god through rules and works. Christianity is God desiring a relationship.
For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s cultivated field, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:9-11 KJV)
It’s not about man’s philosophy and legalism, it’s all about Jesus. If you’re dividing over philosophy you’ve missed the point. If you’ve got rules, you’ve missed the point. The name of the game is Jesus. What’s the goal?
- Build up the body of Christ.
- Bring the Gospel to people who haven’t heard.
You may start while someone else finishes the task. God has the whole picture, you don’t, so don’t quit even if you don’t see results from your labor. Maintain focus; recall back to earlier as Paul arrived in Corinth with a simpler message. It’s all Jesus.
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall test every man’s work of what sort it is. (1 Corinthians 3:12-13 KJV)
Rewards in God’s arena differ considerably from man’s. To understand the difference you must consider motives, actions, and results. God cares about motives and actions, but you’re not responsible for results. If you get good results with poor motives and actions, it counts as zip. Yet if you get no results, but with the right heart, God rewards.
Who is the biggest failure in the Bible? Noah. He built that boat for decades, as all his neighbors looked on. Yet for all his witness, how many were saved? Zero. Zip. None. A total failure. Yet we see Noah again in the “hall of faith” in Hebrews 11. Why?
The world cares about results, God cares about motives and actions.
So you’re saved, what have you done with it? God gave you spiritual gifts, are you using them? Back to where we started, has someone though divisions, pride or legalism ripped you off of the joy of using your gift? The church needs all the gifts, and all to be in use. Don’t allow legalistic attacks to discourage you from using what God intended. If you’re the victim of a drive-by attack sheep, ask God to bring the excitement back and help you to move forward.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:14-15 KJV)
Carnal Christians keep their salvation, but lose their rewards; it’s not results God judges. Recall Matthew 6 as carnal Christians have their reward when people praise them; if you seek praise of men for your actions that’s all the reward you’ll ever see, and you’ll sacrifice eternal rewards for temporary.
After an attack you can become afraid to use what God’s given you, and suffer a loss of eternal reward as a result. The parable of talents in Matthew 25 holds an example as the master didn’t expect all the servants to get the same results, but did expect them to use what they’d been given. The only servant in trouble is the one failing to use what they’ve been given. Don’t quit.
The carnal Christian compares with Lot — saved by fire, but with nothing left.
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV)
That’s a rhetorical question. Why be carnal if you have the spirit?
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this age, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. (1 Corinthians 3:17-18 KJV)
Man’s philosophy is vain and worthless. So why divide over man’s wisdom? Paul spends three chapters discussing the vanity of man’s philosophy. Do you think he’s trying to make a point? So why do people grant more authority to “scholars”?
The worst kind of deception — self deception. If you’ve dealt with an alcoholic or similar, you’re aware of people with self-deception. Those are un-teachable; you have to wait until they admit they have a problem. Give ‘em the truth, and move on. It’s your job to speak the truth in love, not play the Holy Spirit. Just plant a seed so someone else can build on it.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. (1 Corinthians 3:19-20 KJV)
The Lord knows the heart, and it’s the heart (motives and actions) God judges. Leave the results to Him. But fools get caught in their own “scholarly” ideas and then they’ve got problems. All you have to do is consider politics to see this principle at work.
Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. (1 Corinthians 3:21-23 KJV)
We’re all on the same team. Wouldn’t it be strange if during a game, just as the fullback gets the ball and dives across the goal line, someone from his team tackled him short of the goal? What would you think? Pretty useless, huh? So why does that happen in the church? Carnal Christians. There are no attack sheep in the body (at least shouldn’t be). The goal is to build up, not tear down. What should we do?
He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8 KJV)
Walk by grace in the spirit, not by rules.