1st Corinthians – Chapter 3

November 8, 2008

Christianity must ever remain mission-minded, seeking to save souls, lest it lose its saltiness. Clear standards and expectations of progress are necessary and reasonable in order to achieve practical gains. Spreading the Gospel must always come before seeking self-fulfillment and, non-coincidentally, those who lovingly spread the Gospel will experience the most fulfillment.

All Christians must beware not to squander the gifts they have received or neglect the responsibilities that come with their faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is God’s gift to the believer and He provides additional gifts in order that one might cooperate with Him, repent, genuinely love Him and evangelize.

The Corinthian Church contains individuals at various stages of immaturity, whereas a vibrant Christian community contains a mixture of mature veterans and immature new-comers. After accepting the gift of salvation and numerous spiritual charisms, Paul upbraids the Corinthians for letting let the cares of the world distract them from living a mission-minded faith. Additionally, they have not put to death the desires of their fleshly minds and act like busybodies who point fingers at others but never examine their own lives. Paul knows that these men are not wholly un-spiritual, but are spiritual men acting upon the desires of their flesh. In contrast, a genuine Christian spirituality is a life lived in regular experience with the Holy Spirit.

He writes, "But I, brethren, could not address you as spiritual men, but as men of the flesh, as babes in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food; for you were not ready for it; and even yet you are not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving like ordinary men?" (1 Cor 3:1-3) Wrapping themselves in their human leaders Paul and Apollos, they withhold honor due only to God who alone provides the Christian’s growth (cf v 4). Paul understands that he is but a humble servant who thankfully responds well to God’s grace by grace. Mindful that no one can earn his salvation, he knows laborers for the Kingdom will receive wages according to their works (cf v 8).

Jesus Christ Himself is the only foundation upon which the Church can be built (cf v 13, Eph 4, 1 Pet). To the extend they do this, the work of the Christian will be made manifest on the Day of Judgment (cf v 14-15). The man whose work is unworthy and is "burned up" will "suffer loss, though he himself will be saved" after a period of purgation (v 15). All Christians must see themselves as they truly are and fess up to their sins, whether this revelation occur in this world or in purgatory.

Music: La Zabarella from the album Italian Music of the 17th Century, performed by Altri Stromenti. www.magnatune.com

  • /
Update Required
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.

Download MP3 (49:59; 28 MB)

Matthew Lecture 27 – The Lord’s Prayer, Part I

February 27, 2024

Matthew Lecture 26 – Pray This Way

February 20, 2024

Matthew Lecture 25 – The Christian Ethic

February 13, 2024

Matthew Lecture 24 – Antitheses, Part II

January 30, 2024

Matthew Lecture 23 – Antitheses, Part I

January 23, 2024

Matthew Lecture 22 – The Beatitudes

January 16, 2024

Matthew Lecture 21 – The Sermon on the Mount, Part III

December 19, 2023

Matthew Lecture 20 – The Sermon on the Mount, Part II

December 12, 2023

Matthew Lecture 19 – The Sermon on the Mount, Part I

December 5, 2023

Matthew Lecture 18 – Calling the Apostles

November 14, 2023

Matthew Lecture 17 – The Arrest of John

November 7, 2023

Matthew Lecture 16 – The Baptism – Part III

October 30, 2023

Matthew Lecture 15 – The Baptism – Part II

October 23, 2023

Matthew Lecture 16 – The Baptism – Part III

October 16, 2023

Matthew Lecture 14 – The Baptism – Part I

October 16, 2023

Matthew Lecture 13 – Sons of Abraham

October 3, 2023

Matthew Lecture 12 – Prepare the Way

September 26, 2023

Matthew Lecture 11 – The Essenes

September 12, 2023

Matthew Lecture 10 – The Kingdom of Heaven

September 5, 2023

Matthew Lecture 9 – John the Baptist

August 29, 2023

Matthew Lecture 8 – A Real Savior

August 21, 2023

Matthew Lecture 7 – Star of Wonder

August 8, 2023

Matthew Lecture 6 – The Hasmoneans

August 1, 2023

Matthew Lecture 6 – The Hasmoneans

August 1, 2023

Matthew Lecture 6 – The Hasmoneans

August 1, 2023

Matthew Lecture 6 – The Hasmoneans

August 1, 2023

Matthew Lecture 6 – The Hasmoneans

August 1, 2023

Matthew Lecture 6 – The Hasmoneans

August 1, 2023