1 Corinthians 3 KJV: Laborers Together and the Temple of God

1 Corinthians 3 identifies the Corinthian believers as 'carnal' because of their continued obsession with human leaders like Paul and Apollos. This chapter uses the metaphors of a growing field and a rising building to explain that leaders are merely tools while God provides the actual growth. It concludes with a sobering warning that every believer’s work will be tested by fire at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

  1. v1-9: Milk vs. Meat and God’s Field
  2. v10-15: Building on the Foundation of Christ
  3. v16-17: You are the Temple of God
  4. v18-23: The Futility of Worldly Wisdom

1 Corinthians chapter 3

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
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.
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
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.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
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.
If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
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.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's;
Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's;
And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

Stop competing and start building, as Paul reveals that your character and service are the materials of God's eternal temple. Begin your study with 1 corinthians 3 summary.

Observe how Paul warns that 'wood, hay, and stubble' will be consumed, while 'gold, silver, and precious stones' survive the fire of judgment. The Word Secret is Themelyos, the foundation, which Paul insists is exclusively Christ; anything built on a different base is doomed to collapse. This highlights that 'successful' ministry is measured by its durability in eternity, not its popularity on earth. Discover the riches with 1 corinthians 3 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.

Unlock the hidden 1 corinthians 3 1 meaning and summary by exploring context, analyzing original greek and hebrew words, and studying cross references of each verse.

Have a question about this chapter or a revelation to share? Connect with the Body of Christ to express your heart and find biblical answers within the 1 Corinthians 3 fellowship.

Explore 1 corinthians 3 images, wallpapers, art, audio, video, maps, infographics and timelines

3 min read (459 words)