What does 1 Cor. 3:10-15 mean?
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I also believe this section in 1 Cor 3 relates to our sharing of Scripture ...
In 1 Cor 1-3, Paul discussed the division and carnality found in the church at Corinth. The believers in Corinth were following men (1 Cor 1:12, 1 Cor 3:4). As believers, we are to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and as believers we are to direct others to the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not to follow men and we are not to have others follow us. If we sit in a church wherein we are not directed to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, we are sitting in the wrong church.
In 1 Cor 3:4 we read I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
When we are newly born again, the milk of the word diet is good for us. Eventually we move on from milk to meat and we grow up ... the point being that we are to mature to adulthood spiritually speaking in order that we may fully function within the body of Christ. Paul was concerned that the believers in Corinth were still in need of milk. He could not move on past the crucifixion (1 Cor 2:2). There were some believers in Corinth with whom he could speak the wisdom of God in a mystery (1 Cor 2:6-7). However, Paul's desire was for the believers in Corinth to grow up and mature in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul then moves on to the work of ministering to others ... speaking the words which will bring others to faith (faith by hearing and hearing by the word of God - Rom 10:17):
1 Co 3:5-8 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
Paul planted - I believe this means that when we speak God's Word to someone and he/she has never heard that Scripture, this is planting.
Apollos watered - I believe this means that when we speak God's Word to someone and he/she has heard that Scripture before, this is watering.
When we plant/water, a person may or may not come to faith. Sometimes it takes hearing God's word more than once, twice, three times ... before God's Word is actually believed.
The point is that it is God Who brings the increase. It is God Who works in the heart of the hearer as we plant/water the seeds of God's Word when we speak.
That is why it is so important that we speak God's Word to people ... not our own wisdom, not the wisdom of man. God is not going to increase the word that is not His Word. That is why we are cautioned to be careful concerning the foundation upon which we build.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 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.
Right ... this might be more in line with what we read in Romans 12:4-21.
Just helping people because that is part of the many members in one body, and all members have not the same office.
God gives us instruction concerning those in need. We are not to withhold from others.
In 1 Cor 1-3, Paul discussed the division and carnality found in the church at Corinth. The believers in Corinth were following men (1 Cor 1:12, 1 Cor 3:4). As believers, we are to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and as believers we are to direct others to the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not to follow men and we are not to have others follow us. If we sit in a church wherein we are not directed to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, we are sitting in the wrong church.
In 1 Cor 3:4 we read I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
When we are newly born again, the milk of the word diet is good for us. Eventually we move on from milk to meat and we grow up ... the point being that we are to mature to adulthood spiritually speaking in order that we may fully function within the body of Christ. Paul was concerned that the believers in Corinth were still in need of milk. He could not move on past the crucifixion (1 Cor 2:2). There were some believers in Corinth with whom he could speak the wisdom of God in a mystery (1 Cor 2:6-7). However, Paul's desire was for the believers in Corinth to grow up and mature in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul then moves on to the work of ministering to others ... speaking the words which will bring others to faith (faith by hearing and hearing by the word of God - Rom 10:17):
1 Co 3:5-8 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
Paul planted - I believe this means that when we speak God's Word to someone and he/she has never heard that Scripture, this is planting.
Apollos watered - I believe this means that when we speak God's Word to someone and he/she has heard that Scripture before, this is watering.
When we plant/water, a person may or may not come to faith. Sometimes it takes hearing God's word more than once, twice, three times ... before God's Word is actually believed.
The point is that it is God Who brings the increase. It is God Who works in the heart of the hearer as we plant/water the seeds of God's Word when we speak.
That is why it is so important that we speak God's Word to people ... not our own wisdom, not the wisdom of man. God is not going to increase the word that is not His Word. That is why we are cautioned to be careful concerning the foundation upon which we build.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 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.
Right ... this might be more in line with what we read in Romans 12:4-21.
Just helping people because that is part of the many members in one body, and all members have not the same office.
God gives us instruction concerning those in need. We are not to withhold from others.
I think it is much more than either of our posts. We are told all work will be revealed with fire, and we know the Lord is fire. If you judge work by the fire of the Lord, then it is a way of seeing if your life is productive or not. As we build a family that loves the Lord, a home filled with love, it is work that stands up to the fire of the Lord.
We can be a saved person, who has been given eternal life, but withhold our works. It seems to me that the Jews who try to live a life centered on the works the Lord tells them please Him have rewards but their eternal life is in jeopardy, for that is dependent on faith in Christ. We are told they excel in every way they have rewards. Christians intent on their salvation but deny the need for work has their salvation but not the rewards of work.
It is part of the God's laws that rule our world.
We can be a saved person, who has been given eternal life, but withhold our works. It seems to me that the Jews who try to live a life centered on the works the Lord tells them please Him have rewards but their eternal life is in jeopardy, for that is dependent on faith in Christ. We are told they excel in every way they have rewards. Christians intent on their salvation but deny the need for work has their salvation but not the rewards of work.
It is part of the God's laws that rule our world.
Zechariah 13:9
King James Version
9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.
my people and third part are all of God's elect.
King James Version
9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.
my people and third part are all of God's elect.
Matthew 20:1-16
New King James Version
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing [a]idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, [b]and whatever is right you will receive.’
8 “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they [c]complained against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ 13 But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For[d] many are called, but few chosen.”
There is no extra rewards. We do God's will (Ex: preach the gospel, other spiritual gifts to the body of Christ (God's elects))because we are grateful to God and to give God glory which he deserves.
New King James Version
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing [a]idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, [b]and whatever is right you will receive.’
8 “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they [c]complained against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ 13 But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For[d] many are called, but few chosen.”
There is no extra rewards. We do God's will (Ex: preach the gospel, other spiritual gifts to the body of Christ (God's elects))because we are grateful to God and to give God glory which he deserves.
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According to John 5:24, people who've undergone a transformation of their
spirit from death to life will never again be in danger of judgment, i.e. they
will never be brought to face justice at the great white throne event.
According to Rev 20:5-6, the actual first resurrection is yet to take place in
the future; and those who make the cut, will never again be in danger of the
lake of fire.
The transformation of people's spirit, which you call the 1st resurrection, is
actually regeneration; which is quite a bit different than resurrection.
Regeneration applies to peoples' spirit, whereas throughout the New
Testament; resurrection always, and only, applies to peoples' body.
The bodies of the living are slated to be resurrected impervious to death, i.e.
immortal. Whereas the bodies of the dead are slated to be resurrected
vulnerable to death, i.e. not immortal. So even if some of the living were
thrown into the lake of fire, their body would survive, whereas when the
dead are thrown in the lake, their body won't survive; and according to Isa
66:22-24 and Mark 9:47-48, their corpse will be nourishment for a curious
species of fire-proof worm.
_
According to John 5:24, people who've undergone a transformation of their
spirit from death to life will never again be in danger of judgment, i.e. they
will never be brought to face justice at the great white throne event.
According to Rev 20:5-6, the actual first resurrection is yet to take place in
the future; and those who make the cut, will never again be in danger of the
lake of fire.
The transformation of people's spirit, which you call the 1st resurrection, is
actually regeneration; which is quite a bit different than resurrection.
Regeneration applies to peoples' spirit, whereas throughout the New
Testament; resurrection always, and only, applies to peoples' body.
The bodies of the living are slated to be resurrected impervious to death, i.e.
immortal. Whereas the bodies of the dead are slated to be resurrected
vulnerable to death, i.e. not immortal. So even if some of the living were
thrown into the lake of fire, their body would survive, whereas when the
dead are thrown in the lake, their body won't survive; and according to Isa
66:22-24 and Mark 9:47-48, their corpse will be nourishment for a curious
species of fire-proof worm.
_
Scripture speaks often of rewards we are given.
Mat_6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Mat_10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
1Co_3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
Rev_22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
These are just a few of the scriptures telling us of the Lord giving us rewards.
Mat_6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Mat_10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
1Co_3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
Rev_22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
These are just a few of the scriptures telling us of the Lord giving us rewards.
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What you say is very true and a wonderful commentary, but it has absolutely nothing to do with the scripture we are to discuss in this post.
It is true that once we are saved and forgiven, we can depend on that we will live with the Lord eternally. But that does not mean that when Christ returns all people both saved and unsaved will be judged for their works. That judgment is in scripture and scripture is truth.
Rev_22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
It is true that once we are saved and forgiven, we can depend on that we will live with the Lord eternally. But that does not mean that when Christ returns all people both saved and unsaved will be judged for their works. That judgment is in scripture and scripture is truth.
Rev_22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
I think our rewards will be that we will get to see how we were possibly instrumental in Gods Plan of bringing people to Salvation.
Maybe some of the stuff we said and did didn't help anyone.
Maybe some of the stuff we said and did helped tremendously more than we ever realized.
Our reward will be "Well done, good and faithful servant"
This is my opinion, of course.
Maybe some of the stuff we said and did didn't help anyone.
Maybe some of the stuff we said and did helped tremendously more than we ever realized.
Our reward will be "Well done, good and faithful servant"
This is my opinion, of course.
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It is a reference to the future Bema Seat Judgement which shall take place in heaven. The works of the believers shall be weighed to determine their crowns and rewards. Only born again believers shall be present. No one will lose salvation. It is only about rewards.
Fire is often used to connotate cleansing and separating impure dross from pure metals.
Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Fire is often used to connotate cleansing and separating impure dross from pure metals.
Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
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