Immaturity and party loyalty
1 Corinthians 3:1–9FocusServants in God's field
Connection to the wholeThe Corinthians' divisions reveal immaturity; Paul and Apollos are placed as fellow labourers while God gives the increase.
interpretation 1 Corinthians 3:18
KJVLet no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
Read it in context
Carnal Divisions, God's Building, and True Wisdom
Start reading at 1 Corinthians 3:1 (1 Corinthians 3:1 to 1 Corinthians 3:23).
This unit begins at the start of the chapter and covers the entire chapter, addressing the themes of carnal divisions, the role of ministers, Christ as the foundation, and the contrast between worldly and divine wisdom.
- 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
- 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
- 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
- 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
- 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
- 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
- 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
- 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
- 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
- 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
- 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
- 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
- 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
- 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
- 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
- 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
- 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
- 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
- 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
- 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
- 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
- 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
- 3:23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Paul the apostle is the principal author; Sosthenes is named with him in the greeting. Biblical references: 1 Corinthians 1:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Corinthians 1:1–4:21): Paul addresses the Corinthian church about divisions, boasting, and the roles of gospel workers such as himself and Apollos. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The church of God at Corinth, with all who call on Jesus Christ as Lord. Paul addresses an existing congregation, including members with a Gentile past. Biblical references: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 12:2. stated in the text
What
- What is the main event or theme? The main theme is a warning against self-deception and reliance on worldly wisdom, contrasting it with God's wisdom. It exhorts believers to become 'fools' in the world's eyes to gain true wisdom, which is rooted in Christ and God's perspective, not human intellect or divisive allegiances. stated in the text
- What is God revealing? God is revealing that worldly wisdom is foolishness in His sight and that true wisdom requires humility and a willingness to abandon human pride. He also reveals that believers are His temple and His building, with Jesus Christ as the only true foundation. stated in the text
- What is the literary style? The literary style is an epistle containing direct exhortation and instruction. Paul uses metaphors such as planting and watering, building upon a foundation, and the temple of God to convey his message. stated in the text
When
- When was it written? Circa A.D. 55. book background
- When does the event take place? The letter was written during Paul's third missionary journey. The exhortations and warnings apply to the ongoing spiritual life and conduct of the Corinthian church at that time. book background
Where
- Where did it happen? The issues addressed in the letter were occurring in Corinth, where the original audience was located. book background
- Where was the author located? The author, Paul, was located in Ephesus when he wrote this letter. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Carnal Divisions, God's Building, and True Wisdom (1 Corinthians 3:1 to 1 Corinthians 3:23). Start reading at 1 Corinthians 3:1. This unit begins at the start of the chapter and covers the entire chapter, addressing the themes of carnal divisions, the role of ministers, Christ as the foundation, and the contrast between worldly and divine wisdom.
How
- How does it fit the broader context? This verse is a pivotal exhortation within Paul's broader argument against the carnal divisions and pride prevalent in the Corinthian church. He has just discussed how ministers are merely servants and that Christ is the only foundation, leading into this call to reject worldly wisdom that fuels such divisions. stated in the text
- How does it point to Christ? The passage points to Christ by explicitly stating that "other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11). The call to become a "fool" to be truly wise aligns with Christ, who was considered foolish by the world but is the wisdom and power of God (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). True wisdom is found in Him, not in human philosophies. interpretation
- How do I apply it today? Today, believers should apply this by humbly submitting to God's Word and His wisdom, even when it contradicts worldly standards or seems foolish to human intellect. It calls for prioritizing spiritual truth and unity in Christ over intellectual pride, human achievements, or allegiance to human leaders, recognizing that true wisdom comes from God alone. interpretation
Cited: 1 Corinthians 1:1, 1 Corinthians 3:1, 1 Corinthians 3:4-6, 1 Corinthians 3:9, 1 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 3:18, 1 Corinthians 3:19-23
Who wrote it, and how we know
Paul the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysPaul names himself in the opening verse.
1 Corinthians 1:1
Early traditionUniform tradition names Paul.
Related passages
- deceive 1 Cor 6:9 1 Cor 15:33 Prov 5:7 Isa 44:20 Jer 37:9 Luke 21:8 Gal 6:3,7 Eph 5:6
- If 1 Cor 1:18-21 1 Cor 4:10 1 Cor 8:1-2 Prov 3:5,7 Prov 26:12 Isa 5:21 Jer 8:8 Rom 11:25
- let Matt 18:4 Mark 10:15 Luke 18:17
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
1 Corinthians 3
Paul addresses the church of God at Corinth, described as sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints. He corrects divisions, conduct, and worship within that church; promises about gifts and identity do not cancel his warnings or commands.
1 Corinthians 1:1 1 Corinthians 1:2 1 Corinthians 6:11
Building on the foundation
1 Corinthians 3:10–17FocusAccountable work and God's temple
Connection to the wholeThe building image joins Christ as the foundation with testing of each worker's work and a serious warning about the temple of God.
interpretation FocusBelonging to Christ
Connection to the wholeThe chapter returns to the foolishness of worldly wisdom and grounds the church's identity in belonging to Christ rather than to a chosen minister.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
1 Corinthians
Paul addresses the church of God at Corinth, described as sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints. He corrects divisions, conduct, and worship within that church; promises about gifts and identity do not cancel his warnings or commands.
1 Corinthians 1:1 1 Corinthians 1:2 1 Corinthians 6:11
FocusThe cross and faithful ministry
Connection to the wholePaul confronts party loyalty by directing the church to Christ crucified and by redefining ministers as servants accountable to God.
interpretation The church's conduct
1 Corinthians 5:1–6:20FocusDiscipline, disputes, and the body
Connection to the wholeCases of immorality and litigation expose conduct inconsistent with the church's calling and the readers' belonging to Christ.
interpretation Questions about marriage
1 Corinthians 7:1–40FocusFaithfulness within one's calling
Connection to the wholePaul answers questions about marriage and differing circumstances, distinguishing commands, permission, and his judgments within the discussion.
interpretation Liberty and responsibility
1 Corinthians 8:1–11:1FocusIdolatry, conscience, and others' good
Connection to the wholeQuestions about idol food lead through Paul's own example to warnings from Israel and the command to flee idolatry while seeking others' benefit.
interpretation Order in the assembly
1 Corinthians 11:2–14:40FocusHonour, the supper, love, and gifts
Connection to the wholePaul corrects gathered conduct and the use of spiritual gifts, making love and the church's edification central.
interpretation The resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:1–58FocusChrist raised and believers' hope
Connection to the wholePaul answers denial of resurrection by joining the risen Christ with the future resurrection and transformation of those who belong to Him.
interpretation Collection and closing directions
1 Corinthians 16:1–24FocusShared service and steadfast love
Connection to the wholePractical arrangements, commendations, and final exhortations connect the corrected church with the wider fellowship of believers.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.