1 Corinthians 3-5

1 Corinthians 3

Spiritual Immaturity

• Paul says the Corinthians are acting like spiritual infants
• They are still “fleshly”
• They engage in :
  • jealousy
  • strife
  • divisions
• Their obsession with leaders is not Godly 

Servants Through Whom You Believed

• Paul and Apollos are only servants
  • Paul planted
  • Apollos watered
  • God gave the growth
• God deserves the glory, not human leaders

Building on the Foundation

• Jesus Christ is the only true foundation
• Believers build on that foundation with different materials:
  • gold
  • silver
  • precious stones
  • wood
  • hay
  • straw
• Each person’s work will be tested by fire on “the Day”
• Works that survive will receive reward

God’s Temple

• The church is God’s temple
• God’s Spirit dwells among believers
• Warning against destroying or corrupting the church

True Wisdom

• Worldly wisdom is foolishness before God
• Believers should not boast in men/leaders
• Everything belongs to believers through Christ
• Believers belong to Christ
• Christ belongs to God

1 Corinthians 4

Servants and Stewards

• Apostles are servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries
  • The main requirement is faithfulness
• ultimate judgment belongs to God, not human opinion
• We will all receive commendation from God

Warning Against Pride

• Do not become prideful based on which leader you follow
• Corinthians have become arrogant and self-satisfied
  • What do they have that hasn’t come from God? 
• Paul becomes sarcastic
  • “Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings!”
• Paul contrasts their pride and the suffering of the apostles

Corinthians’ Attitude	Apostles’ Reality
wise	fools
strong	weak
honored	dishonored

• Apostles endure:
  • hunger
  • persecution
  • hardship
• They respond with blessing and endurance

Paul as a Spiritual Father

• Paul shifts now as he speaks as a loving father
• He urges them to imitate his example
• He sends Timothy to remind them of his teaching

Warning Before Paul’s Visit

• Some Corinthians are arrogant
• Paul plans to visit if the Lord wills
• God’s kingdom is shown in power, not empty talk
• Paul asks whether he should come:
  • with discipline
  • or with gentleness and love

1 Corinthians 5

Sexual Sin in the Church

• Paul confronts a case of sexual immorality
  • A man is involved with his father’s wife
• The church has become proud instead of grieving
• Paul commands church discipline and removal

Leaven and Purity

• “A little leaven leavens the whole lump”
  • Sin spreads if tolerated
• Paul uses Passover imagery:
  • Christ is our Passover lamb
• Believers should pursue sincerity and truth, not malice and evil

Paul clarifies that believers are not expected to avoid all unbelievers, but unrepentant sin within the church must be addressed

• The church is responsible for accountability among believers

Application

We should build our lives on Christ and seek spiritual maturity instead of pride and division. It shouldn’t matter which theologian or leader we follow, that does not give us something to boast about.  We should also not treat sin lightly, especially within the church.