I Corinthians 3:10-17: "Building On Christ the Foundation"
Paul picks up where he left off saying that we are God's building. Paul moves from the previous agricultural imagery to one of architecture. Paul wants each of his readers to understand that they must be serious and careful in their building up of themselves and one another. As Christians we are to build upon the perfect foundation of Christ, good works that will be pleasing to Him. As teachers and leaders we are to provide the flock with the proper tools to build themselves up in good works, pleasing to Christ. Paul begins, "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation". Paul reiterates the work he has accomplished this far, as one who is a "master builder". As the master builder, Paul laid the foundation, which is Christ. Paul was the one gifted by God to go throughout the world to proclaim the good news of Christ. In this sense, Paul can be looked at as the master builder who began the foundation in each of the converts he influenced. In his humility and understanding of how God's plan of salvation works, Paul recognizes any success in what he has done has been through the "grace of God which was given" to him. Earlier, Paul had iterated this when he wrote, "neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth" (3:7). Paul understood his gifts and boldness were from God and it was only through His grace that Paul would have any success in building foundations.
It is now important to Paul that the believers be built up and continue to grow, so that they are not stuck being "babes in Christ" for long. Paul writes, "and another is building upon it". MacArthur writes, "In the case of Ephesus, that person was Timothy (I Tim. 1:3). In the case of Corinth, it was Apollos. Paul was not jealous of those who followed him in ministry. He knew that, as one who laid foundations, he would have to be followed by pastors. Paul was glad for that, because it gave less excuse for the Corinthians to develop earthly loyalties to him (1:14-15). Paul understood his gift from God was being bold for the gospel and establishing converts in all the cities he traveled to. He then would leave the continued discipleship and leadership to someone there at the church to care for the souls of the new Christians when he left. He warns these people, "But let each man be careful how he builds upon it". MacArthur explains, "Each man primarily refers to evangelists, pastors, and teachers, who have continued to build on the foundation laid by the apostles. These are given special and the the most direct responsibility for teaching Christian doctrine. Paul later instructs Timothy that men who build should be faithful and capable (2 Tim. 2:2)". However, this principle can also be applied to all believers. Whether we are in leadership or not, we are each in charge over our own hearts and souls. We must be mindful and careful to fill our lives with the wisdom and teaching of Christ that we might be built up properly.
Paul continues, "For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ". Continuing the architectural illustration, Paul makes clear that there is only one true foundation in every believers life and that is Jesus Christ. MacArthur explains, "The foundation is not New Testament ethics, many of which are found in other religions. Nor is it in the history, traditions, and decisions of churches and church leaders through the centuries. It is Jesus Christ and Him alone. In a sense, it is all of Scripture, for all of Scripture is both from and about Jesus Christ". Paul wants to make clear that each of his readers is dealing with the proper foundation. For if anyone claims to be a Christian, yet does not have a right understanding and view of Jesus Christ, he is not in the faith for he has no foundation. As talked about earlier by Paul, any earthly or human philosophy or religious system that is set up apart from Christ has no foundation. Therefore, we must 1) make sure we have the right foundation, otherwise, every work we do is fruitless and worthless, and 2) make sure the work we are doing is building upon the foundation, not building in opposition to it.
Paul, wanting to address the various works of believers writes, "now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw". Here we can see that Paul has differentiated between different types of works that the believer can build on his foundation throughout his life. As a Christian, we need not worry about the foundation, for we stand on the perfect life of Christ. However, it is what we build on top of that that we will be held accountable for. Paul breaks up works into 2 different categories, the first being valuable and eternal works, the other being worthless and temporary. The "gold, silver" and "precious stones" can be looked upon as the valuable works, and the, "wood, hay" and "straw" would be the worthless works. MacArthur writes, "The materials represent believers' responses to what they have - how well they serve the Lord with what He has given them. In other words, they represent our work. We cannot be saved by good works or stay saved by good works. But every Christian has been 'created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them' (Eph. 2:10) and is to bear 'fruit in every good work' (Col. 1:10)". It is up to God and God alone to determine which works fall into which category. God will always take into account the attitude with which we do things and the amount of resources we have been given. If we do things with a right heart, desiring to please God in it, we will be building with gold or silver or precious stones. If we have been given many gifts and ample opportunity to serve, but do very little with it, we are building with straw or hay. It is also important to note that Paul mentions various precious jewels, gold and silver. Each has great value in different circumstances. What we can gather from this is that though some works may seem greater than others ie gold to a precious stone, God values them equally.
After a lifetime of building up works both of gold, silver and precious stones, and hay, wood, and straw, they will be exposed for what they really were by God when we are tested with fire. Paul writes, "Each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work". It is not until the divine wisdom of God makes it apparent, what each works quality was while we lived here on earth. However, putting each of these works through fire will show the true nature of them. Paul gives the illustration that we might picture a huge house, built upon layer by layer of each one of our works. However, to see what this house is really made of, God will put it on fire and see what remains. All the worthless and temporary works we did (hay, wood, and straw) will be consumed in the fire and cease to give shape and support to the house. Conversely, all silver, gold and precious stones will not be consumed and show those works that were valuable and eternal. Paul continues to explain this, "If any man's work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire". We must understand that Paul here is not speaking of condemnation or judgment on the salvation of each individual. Regardless of the works done on this earthly, as long as the believer has the solid foundation of Christ, he shall have his reward of salvation. For if all his works are burned up, he still has the foundation of Christ to stand on. Paul, is however, speaking of eternal rewards which believers will receive in heaven based on the good deeds they do here on earth. Those who have been faithful to produce quality works that pass through the fire, will receive a greater reward than those who built upon their foundation with temporary low quality works.
MacArthur explains the 3 different workmen described in verses 14-17 as the constructive workmen, worthless workmen, and the destructive workmen. He writes, "When a pastor preaches sound, solid doctrine he is building constructively. When a teacher teaches the Word consistently and fully, he is building with good materials . . . Many humanly impressive and seemingly beautiful and worthwhile works that Christians do in the Lords name will not stand the test in 'that day'. it 'will become evident' (v.13) that he materials used were wood, hay, and straw. The workmen will not lose their salvation, but they will lose a portion of any reward they might be expecting . . . The third group of workmen obviously is made up of unbelievers, because God will never destroy those He has redeemed and given eternal life. It is composed of evil, unsaved people who attack God's people and God's work. That destructive group can work either from within or without the church, destroying what God has built up". Paul explains for these people, "Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are". Yet another reminder from Paul of what we are, and what we are called to. Paul continues to be insightful and bold in carving deep into our hearts to have us see where we line up with our calling. As Paul continues to do this he is pushing the Corinthians to remember their calling as believers, rather than focus on the quarrels and divisions among them.
It is now important to Paul that the believers be built up and continue to grow, so that they are not stuck being "babes in Christ" for long. Paul writes, "and another is building upon it". MacArthur writes, "In the case of Ephesus, that person was Timothy (I Tim. 1:3). In the case of Corinth, it was Apollos. Paul was not jealous of those who followed him in ministry. He knew that, as one who laid foundations, he would have to be followed by pastors. Paul was glad for that, because it gave less excuse for the Corinthians to develop earthly loyalties to him (1:14-15). Paul understood his gift from God was being bold for the gospel and establishing converts in all the cities he traveled to. He then would leave the continued discipleship and leadership to someone there at the church to care for the souls of the new Christians when he left. He warns these people, "But let each man be careful how he builds upon it". MacArthur explains, "Each man primarily refers to evangelists, pastors, and teachers, who have continued to build on the foundation laid by the apostles. These are given special and the the most direct responsibility for teaching Christian doctrine. Paul later instructs Timothy that men who build should be faithful and capable (2 Tim. 2:2)". However, this principle can also be applied to all believers. Whether we are in leadership or not, we are each in charge over our own hearts and souls. We must be mindful and careful to fill our lives with the wisdom and teaching of Christ that we might be built up properly.
Paul continues, "For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ". Continuing the architectural illustration, Paul makes clear that there is only one true foundation in every believers life and that is Jesus Christ. MacArthur explains, "The foundation is not New Testament ethics, many of which are found in other religions. Nor is it in the history, traditions, and decisions of churches and church leaders through the centuries. It is Jesus Christ and Him alone. In a sense, it is all of Scripture, for all of Scripture is both from and about Jesus Christ". Paul wants to make clear that each of his readers is dealing with the proper foundation. For if anyone claims to be a Christian, yet does not have a right understanding and view of Jesus Christ, he is not in the faith for he has no foundation. As talked about earlier by Paul, any earthly or human philosophy or religious system that is set up apart from Christ has no foundation. Therefore, we must 1) make sure we have the right foundation, otherwise, every work we do is fruitless and worthless, and 2) make sure the work we are doing is building upon the foundation, not building in opposition to it.
Paul, wanting to address the various works of believers writes, "now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw". Here we can see that Paul has differentiated between different types of works that the believer can build on his foundation throughout his life. As a Christian, we need not worry about the foundation, for we stand on the perfect life of Christ. However, it is what we build on top of that that we will be held accountable for. Paul breaks up works into 2 different categories, the first being valuable and eternal works, the other being worthless and temporary. The "gold, silver" and "precious stones" can be looked upon as the valuable works, and the, "wood, hay" and "straw" would be the worthless works. MacArthur writes, "The materials represent believers' responses to what they have - how well they serve the Lord with what He has given them. In other words, they represent our work. We cannot be saved by good works or stay saved by good works. But every Christian has been 'created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them' (Eph. 2:10) and is to bear 'fruit in every good work' (Col. 1:10)". It is up to God and God alone to determine which works fall into which category. God will always take into account the attitude with which we do things and the amount of resources we have been given. If we do things with a right heart, desiring to please God in it, we will be building with gold or silver or precious stones. If we have been given many gifts and ample opportunity to serve, but do very little with it, we are building with straw or hay. It is also important to note that Paul mentions various precious jewels, gold and silver. Each has great value in different circumstances. What we can gather from this is that though some works may seem greater than others ie gold to a precious stone, God values them equally.
After a lifetime of building up works both of gold, silver and precious stones, and hay, wood, and straw, they will be exposed for what they really were by God when we are tested with fire. Paul writes, "Each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work". It is not until the divine wisdom of God makes it apparent, what each works quality was while we lived here on earth. However, putting each of these works through fire will show the true nature of them. Paul gives the illustration that we might picture a huge house, built upon layer by layer of each one of our works. However, to see what this house is really made of, God will put it on fire and see what remains. All the worthless and temporary works we did (hay, wood, and straw) will be consumed in the fire and cease to give shape and support to the house. Conversely, all silver, gold and precious stones will not be consumed and show those works that were valuable and eternal. Paul continues to explain this, "If any man's work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire". We must understand that Paul here is not speaking of condemnation or judgment on the salvation of each individual. Regardless of the works done on this earthly, as long as the believer has the solid foundation of Christ, he shall have his reward of salvation. For if all his works are burned up, he still has the foundation of Christ to stand on. Paul, is however, speaking of eternal rewards which believers will receive in heaven based on the good deeds they do here on earth. Those who have been faithful to produce quality works that pass through the fire, will receive a greater reward than those who built upon their foundation with temporary low quality works.
MacArthur explains the 3 different workmen described in verses 14-17 as the constructive workmen, worthless workmen, and the destructive workmen. He writes, "When a pastor preaches sound, solid doctrine he is building constructively. When a teacher teaches the Word consistently and fully, he is building with good materials . . . Many humanly impressive and seemingly beautiful and worthwhile works that Christians do in the Lords name will not stand the test in 'that day'. it 'will become evident' (v.13) that he materials used were wood, hay, and straw. The workmen will not lose their salvation, but they will lose a portion of any reward they might be expecting . . . The third group of workmen obviously is made up of unbelievers, because God will never destroy those He has redeemed and given eternal life. It is composed of evil, unsaved people who attack God's people and God's work. That destructive group can work either from within or without the church, destroying what God has built up". Paul explains for these people, "Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are". Yet another reminder from Paul of what we are, and what we are called to. Paul continues to be insightful and bold in carving deep into our hearts to have us see where we line up with our calling. As Paul continues to do this he is pushing the Corinthians to remember their calling as believers, rather than focus on the quarrels and divisions among them.
posted by amesfam | 1:17 PM
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