In the early
verses of chapter 1 of his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul rebukes the saints
there for the divisions in their congregation.
Members were identifying themselves as followers of Paul, Apollos, Peter,
or Christ, rather than emphasizing
the unity that belonged to them all in
Christ. God used Paul to plant the
church in Corinth. Apollos was a
knowledgeable and eloquent preacher whom Priscilla and Aquila met in
Ephesus. He later came to Corinth and
“greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted
the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus” (Acts
18:27-28). In the remainder of chapter 1
and throughout chapter 2, Paul explains that human “wisdom” is foolishness
compared to God’s wisdom, and he demonstrates that Christ, the wisdom and power
of God, cannot be believed apart from the work of the Holy Spirit in one’s
heart.
Now, at the beginning of chapter 3, Paul again speaks sharply to
the Corinthians, pointing at the jealousy and strife among them as evidence
that they valued human foolishness more than spiritual wisdom. He insists that they are too worldly minded
to digest deep spiritual truths. In
chapter 14 Paul admonishes them, “Brethren, do not be children in
understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be
mature.” Those who are spiritually
mature understand that God is “no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34). That is, God does not show partiality or
favoritism to anyone on account of their personality, talents, social status, or
influence. Thank God for those who walk openly
with Him, serve as examples, and encourage us in the faith. But take care that you do not derive your
identity from a particular theologian, commentator, denomination, or movement
rather than from Christ. We must “point
to those who follow Christ well, but only to encourage others to see Christ more clearly.”[i]
Paul, Apollos, and Cephas were
nothing more than servants of God’s church, laborers in His field, and builders
of His temple. God’s temple is that holy,
spiritual building of which you and I are living stones, for the Holy Spirit
dwells within us (I Peter 2). Jesus
Christ is the foundation of God’s temple, the cornerstone on Whom all of our
salvation depends. All things are ours
because He is the heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2) and by His death we are made
fellow heirs with Him (Romans 8:17)!
God, “who without
respect of persons judges according to every man's work” will try the work of
all men one day (I Peter 1:17). The
works of Paul, Apollos, you, and I will be made manifest, and God will reward us
according to the things we have done. Does
that motivate you to be busy doing good deeds?
It is impossible for those who have been saved to desire to continue sinning
(Romans 6:1). Let’s live thankful to God
for His wisdom, which teaches us that “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking
for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus
Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every
lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people,
zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:14).
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