1 Corinthians 3
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
The carnal minded are those fleshly thinking people. They can't understand the Spiritual things of God, so you must speak to them as babes on milk.
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.
Many won't grow in The Word. They're too busy walking in the flesh to give time to God's Word.
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?
Denominations have caused divisions. They fight over traditions of humans and the greed of numbers. The so called "pastors" refuse to teach The Word as it's written, leaving out the context of Truth.
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
Divided from Christ, united in flesh. satan will try to pull you from Truth so we must be wiser than the serpent. It must be about Christ or it becomes about self.
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
Good Pastors will teach God's Word and ONLY God's Word. So many are fooled by the tv "preachers" and salary teachers today. Paul and Apollos stuck to The Word of God without wavering, without watering it down and without self in mind. The church world today gets offended by The Truth, so they twist it or take it out. That's where the denominations have become carnal.
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
Paul started = "planted" the church in Corinth, Apollos taught = "watered", the church with God's Word and by teaching The Truth, God blessed it = "increase".
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
All the blessing or increases comes from God not me, you or them, but God.
8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
We that are in Christ are one. We are ALL blessed by Him as a body of one. As part of this Ministry or Studies, we are one. Blessed as one in Truth. Each with their part in this Ministry.
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
We labor together, one body, in one "building"- foundation, our cornerstone being Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
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.
Christ is our Lord, our foundation we grow upon. As we learn, we pass it on to those in our lives. It's then their responsibility to continue to build. What goes into the building, makes or breaks it. Make sure you hold to The Truth, The Word of God.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Christ Jesus is The Only foundation to life everlasting. There is no other foundation laid for us.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
None of these are fireproof. When our Lord returns, everything will be out in the open. If you didn't build your foundation on Christ, it will crumble. Only what is pure will remain.
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.
Everything we've done we are judged by and by those works we will be clothed. Some will be naked as a J-bird. Repentance from the heart is a clean start daily. Revelations 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, 'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Revelation 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
If = condition, If you have built upon that foundation of Christ, reward is yours. "Reward" = reaction to your good works.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
The way in which we live are things to be tried by fire. Fleshly things won't be needed nor will they carryover to eternity, but make sure what you do to get those things are what God would have you do to get them. Evil gains have a reaction also. Without repentance, you're judged by them. Fire is the outcome for the evil soul and it goes up in smoke, never to be seen, thought of or heard of again. That's what happens to carnal things, they're put into a fire. What's in you?
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If you call yourself a "Christian" you had better know what that means. Christian is Christ like and you must pick up The Word to know how to be Christ like. Then and ONLY then will you know the work to do. It's not the sugarcoated junk in today's church. It's the salt of Truth that give the flavor of a true church. Sometimes it will hit a opening that will sting.
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Are you of the world or God? Who do you follow, satan or Christ Jesus? Do you know the difference? Do you give The Word time in your daily walk? What we put in and put out will determine each of our own outcomes.
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.
We can deceive ourselves when we ignore The Word. How are you going to know if you don't take the time to study for YOURSELF.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
Many don't want to know the difference between good and evil. They hear it's "judging" when they should know The Truth of it. Many believe Christianity is just another religion, when in fact it's the only reality. The world is fooling many and it's because they want it. Job 5:13 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.
20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
There are people who know about God but refuse Him, = stupidity, and there are those who run from Him all together and are ignorant to His Word. Neither will be an excuse.
21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
Don't worry about those who hate you, let them. We live, for Christ is our life.
22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
You follow Christ and The Truth or you follow satan and the world. Christ is One and we that believe are the body. Those that follow satan is everything worldly under it. Every religion, every fleshly = carnal way outside of the body of Christ. This doesn't mean you can't enjoy the things of this life. It means you had better know what things we are to partake of while in this life. God gives us blessings, when we live by those ways, His path, His Word. We are to follow Christ to be Christians.
23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.