1 Corinthians 3
2 Corinthians 3 is a section in which the Apostle Paul defends his apostolic ministry and explains the essence of the ministry of the gospel. Paul explains why he and his co-workers do not need to receive letters of recommendation from people, and says that the Corinthians are his very 'letters of recommendation.' He then highlights the difference between Moses' law and the gospel—that is, the old covenant and the new covenant—emphasizing that the ministry of the new covenant is more glorious and brings greater freedom.
1verseBrothers, I couldn’t speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly, as to babies in Christ.
2verseI fed you with milk, not with solid food, for you weren’t yet ready. Indeed, you aren’t ready even now,
3versefor you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren’t you fleshly, and don’t you walk in the ways of men?
4verseFor when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you fleshly?
5verseWho then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed, and each as the Lord gave to him?
6verseI planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase.
7verseSo then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
8verseNow he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9verseFor we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s farming, God’s building.
10verseAccording to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it.
11verseFor no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12verseBut if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw,
13verseeach man’s work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test what sort of work each man’s work is.
14verseIf any man’s work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward.
15verseIf any man’s work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.
16verseDon’t you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?
17verseIf anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, which you are.
18verseLet no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
19verseFor the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He has taken the wise in their craftiness.”
20verseAnd again, “The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that it is worthless.”
21verseTherefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours,
22versewhether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All are yours,
23verseand you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
Structure and Flow of the Text
- Verses 1-3: Reveals that it is the lives of believers sealed by the Holy Spirit that are the letter of recommendation, not letters of recommendation
- Verses 4-6: Emphasizes that Paul's ministry comes from God, and explains the difference between the law and the Spirit (the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life)
- Verses 7-11: Contrasts the old covenant (letters written on stone), whose glory is temporary and will pass away, with the new covenant (the ministry of the Spirit), whose glory is greater and eternal
- Verses 12-18: Uses the incident of Moses covering his face as an analogy to show that true freedom and transformation are evidenced only through Jesus Christ
Explanation of Key Themes
In this chapter, Paul emphasizes that the Christian community is proven not by external evidence or recommendations, but by changes written on each person's heart by the Holy Spirit. He also underscores the glory of new life and freedom in Christ, and the glory of transformation, by contrasting the old covenant (the law) as something made in letters with the new covenant (the gospel) as something made by the Holy Spirit. Through his references to Moses and Moses' law, he presents the hope that the mystery that had been hidden in the old covenant is revealed through Christ, and that those who believe will gradually become more and more like God.
Meditation Points
- Is there evidence in my life of the gospel as a 'letter' that has been written?
- How am I experiencing the difference between legalistic faith and faith led by the Holy Spirit?
- What form does God's glory take in my life?
Apply It to Me
- Let me reflect that the center of my faith life is not external proof or deeds, but an inner change that God gives.
- If there is any part where I have stayed in legalistic, formal faith, I ask for the freedom and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- I hope to become like God's image day by day in the Holy Spirit, and I have an open heart to change and growth.
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