I Corinthians Study I Corinthians 3:1-23 Believers Building with the Right Material

From chapter 2:14-15 in the book of I Corinthians, we noted that the grand Apostle Paul has introduced us to two classifications of men: the natural man (the unsaved man) and the spiritual man (the saved man).  In this chapter, we are introduced to another man called the “carnal man” (the saved man whose behavior is fleshly or one who lives like the world).

Beginning in verse 1, we are introduced to the carnal man whose life is characterized as a “babe in Christ”.  The carnal Christian is a child of God; however, his spiritual growth has been stunted because he or she is fleshly, governing their conduct after the world.  In fact, the carnal Christian lives so fleshly until you cannot sometimes distinguish his or her life from the natural man (unsaved man).  Many of our churches today are infested with carnal believers who govern their lives after the world!  Carnal Christians are fleshly and will not be able to comprehend or understand the deep things of God.  They are not growing in Grace and in the knowledge of Christ!  The carnal Christian is indeed saved and will go to heaven; however, as it relates to being spiritual and growing as a child of God, they lack spiritual discernment and choose to pattern their lives after the world.

Personally, I know that carnal Christians can get their lives on track spiritually by getting into God’s word and applying the truths of God’s infallible word!  Yes, there is a way for every Christian to get their lives on track spiritually!   Paul goes on to point out in verse 2 that he could not feed a carnal believer meat because he or she will not digest it.  A carnal believer is undeveloped spiritually and cannot digest the deeper truths of God word!

In verse 3, the Apostle Paul identifies carnal Christians as those whose lives manifest certain deeds of the flesh as envying, strife and divisions!  To further explain the carnal state of the church in verses 4-9, Paul stated that this church was emphasizing the ministry of men, when in fact, God was the true source of blessings.  As we minister in the body of Christ, we as believers must serve to God’s glory and not for the applause of men!

In relation to that thought, we must realize as servants of God that we are accountable to God for the service that we render, and that our service will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ (vv. 10-17).  We must understand in our ministries that God uses many workmen, who employ various methods, but we must be careful to give God the glory for the results of their ministries!  The foundation has been laid by Jesus Christ, and Christian workmen must be careful how they build upon that foundation!  As spiritual believers, Paul admonishes us to build on the foundation with the right material: gold, silver, and precious stones, and not with wood, hay and stubble (vv. 12-15).  Fire will hurt the wood, hay and stubble; however, it will only purify the gold, silver and precious stones!

As Christians, we must comprehend that our works will be scrutinized by God, and that we must be awfully careful that we build on the foundation Christ has laid with the right material: gold, silver, and precious stones.  Yes, our works will be truly evaluated, for verses 14-15 state: “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.”

As believers, let us not build haystacks, for our haystacks will be evaluated and judged!  Our haystacks will be tested by fire.  The same will be true of wood or stubble!  A child of God can never lose his salvation; however, he or she can suffer loss of reward!  Again, let us be careful that we build with the right material on the foundation that has been laid by Christ: gold, silver and precious stones!

In verses 16-17, Paul stresses that our bodies are the residence of the Holy Spirit.  As we conclude chapter 3:18-23, it is futile and foolish to make distinctions between human leaders and boast about one or another.  In Jesus Christ all has been given to us – life, death, the present and future.  Christ should be the focus of our lives and be the One who we boast and render Glory unto!

May God Bless!