1 Corinthians 3

Here Paul is addressing those in the Corinthian church as "people of the flesh, as infants in Christ" (v1, ESV). Going along with the word "infant", he speaks about feeding them milk as opposed to solid food (v2). With this in mind it gives the idea that they aren't quite up to par. They're not ready for solid food and are infantile in their faith. However, it is reasonable to progress through these stages. People who first believe begin in the initial stages in their faith, so it's not wrong to be in those stages. However, Paul makes a clear statement that reveals otherwise as far as it goes for those in the Corinthian church, "And even now you are not yet ready," (v2, ESV). This seems to imply that they *should* be ready but they aren't. There is an allotted time for one to be infantile, but after a certain amount of time they are supposed to progress to solid food. However, they have yet to do so.

for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

(v3, ESV)

Having jealousy and strife is probably one way to tell that someone is still infantile in their faith. There are probably other ways to tell, but this is the one in particular for this chapter. In fact, as you read on through 1 Corinthians you will see many different things that they are doing wrong. In order for us to progress to being mature, we definitely can't be "still of the flesh" (v3, ESV) or have "jealousy and strife" (v3, ESV), or "behaving only in a human way" (v3, ESV). Verse 4 points out the division among that which will be discussed for this chapter. The division is between people who say that they follow Paul, and those who say that they follow Apollos (v4).

Paul and Apollos are only servants (v5). It seems silly to follow a servant of God. They should really follow God. However, we know that Jesus showed us humility and how to be a servant and we should follow him. But in this case they are following humans who are simply servants of God, but they should follow God.

Since Paul and Apollos are servants, they are duties. Paul plants and Apollos waters (v6), which seem like fairly important duties. In fact, I'll bet as Christians when we see those who plant or water we hold them in high regard and desire to follow them. We are supposed to follow and imitate Christ; however, it's not wrong to have intermediate goals. We may look to someone and admire a certain characteristic in them and attempt to imitate them. This works especially if they are imitating Christ. I get this from the beginning of Chapter 11.

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

(1 Cor 11:1, ESV)

However, back to chapter 3, the point Paul is trying to make is that "God gave the growth" (v6, ESV). So really, Paul who plants and Apollos who waters isn't really anything since they don't cause the growth, only God does (v7). Not to say that those who plant or those who water are nothing, but they are servants to God and it is God that allows any growth to happen in the first place. Those servants are diligently and faithfully working for God. Because of this they will receive wages (v8) and are called "God's fellow workers" (v9, ESV).

Going along with a building analogy, Paul stresses the importance of being careful as to how you build on the foundation (v10). The foundation is very important, and it is Jesus (v11). In the rest of the chapter Paul describes how the work will be tested by fire to see which one is good and bad and the results. Clearly the result is good if it passes the test and bad if it doesn't pass. Fortunately, it says that the one with a failed work will be saved, but it isn't without a cost. It reminds me of the last paragraph is chapter 9. The race and the boxing analogy can be found here.

So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

(1 Cor 9:26-27, ESV)

Each person is God's temple and God's Spirit lives in us (v16). A serious warning is provided:

If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.

(v17, ESV)

So we should take care of ourselves and others that we do not destroy that temple. Going along with the testing with fire, we should be careful how we build so that it will pass the test. If it doesn't pass the test, then it will be burned up.

The last paragraph revisits ideas from the first two chapters. God's wisdom and man's wisdom is discussed (v18). It also says "If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise." (v18, ESV). This goes along with the first will be last and the last will be first idea (Mark 9:31). More specifically, you must become a fool with regards to human wisdom so that you may be wise in God's wisdom. The idea of boasting is revisited again as well (v21).

The ending is a bit confusing to me. Upon reading a commentary, here's what I get from it. Paul is making a contrast from what they are saying when they say "I follow Paul" or "I follow Apollos". They are limiting themselves to one specific leader, but when Paul says "all things are yours" (v21, ESV), it is not limited by anything. They are limiting their minds to one specific leader, but we are not limited because we are saved through Christ. Christ has victory over death, and we are redeemed through him. Not only that, but with reference to Philipians 1:21, the only life we have to live is that in Jesus. We have hope for life beyond death, but those not in Jesus end with death. Again, we revisit the fact that we have victory through redemption in Jesus.

Hm... I tried, but I'm still confused. Regardless, we should grow up and evolve to eating solid food. We shouldn't be divided and worrying about following a specific person. Whether that person is a really good planter, or a really good waterer, it doesn't matter. God is the one who causes the growth. If you plant, make sure you are planting or laying the foundation of Jesus. If you water, be careful how you build. Seems like a lot to think about or a lot to worry about. Don't worry, seek God's wisdom.