In 1 Corinthians chapter 3, Paul calls us to examine our spiritual maturity and reminds us that our foundation must always be Jesus Christ. He challenges us to see ourselves not as individuals building our own lives in isolation, but as fellow workers in God’s field and builders of His temple. He urges us to move beyond division, jealousy, and worldly thinking so that we can grow into the fullness of God’s wisdom and purpose.
Paul begins by addressing the Corinthians as people who are still spiritually immature. He tells them that when he first came to them, he had to feed them with milk rather than solid food because they were not ready for deeper spiritual truths. He describes them as still being of the flesh, living in jealousy and strife. This is a sobering reminder for us that spiritual growth is not automatic. Even though we may have accepted Christ, we can still act in ways that reflect worldly thinking rather than the Spirit of God. If we find ourselves caught up in envy, conflict, or pride, it is a sign that we need to return to the foundation of Christ and allow Him to mature us.
One of the key problems Paul addresses is division in the church. The Corinthians were aligning themselves with different leaders, saying, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos." But Paul makes it clear that such divisions are meaningless. He and Apollos are merely servants of God, each playing a role in God's work. Paul planted the seed by preaching the gospel, Apollos watered it by continuing to teach, but it was God who caused the growth. This teaches us that no one person in our spiritual journey should take the place of God. Leaders and teachers are important, but they are only vessels through whom God works. We should be careful not to place our loyalty in people rather than in Christ.
Paul then uses another analogy to describe our role in God's work: we are builders, and the only foundation that can support our lives is Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on this foundation must be careful about the materials they use. Some build with gold, silver, and precious stones, while others build with wood, hay, and straw. The quality of our work will be tested by fire on the day of judgment. If what we have built survives, we will receive a reward. If it is burned up, we will suffer loss, though we will still be saved. This challenges us to consider what we are building in our own lives. Are we investing in things of eternal value, such as faith, love, and obedience to God? Or are we focusing on things that will not last, like wealth, reputation, and personal ambition? Our choices matter, and Paul urges us to build wisely.
Another powerful image Paul uses is that we are God’s temple and that His Spirit dwells in us. This is a humbling and profound truth. If we truly see ourselves as God’s temple, we will be careful to honor Him in all that we do. We will recognize that our lives are not our own and that we are called to live in holiness. Paul warns that anyone who destroys God’s temple will be destroyed by God, emphasizing how seriously God takes our role in His kingdom. This reminds us that our actions affect not just ourselves but also the entire body of Christ.
Paul then turns his attention to worldly wisdom versus godly wisdom. He reminds us that the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. If we think we are wise by the world’s standards, we should become "fools" so that we can truly be wise. This is a radical call for us to reject the values and priorities of the world and instead embrace the wisdom that comes from God. The world often tells us that success, power, and personal achievement are the ultimate goals, but God calls us to humility, servanthood, and trust in Him. When we rely on human wisdom, we risk building our lives on a foundation that will ultimately crumble. But when we seek God's wisdom, we build on a foundation that will endure forever.
Paul concludes by reminding us that everything belongs to us in Christ. Whether it is Paul, Apollos, or Cephas, whether it is life or death, whether it is things present or things to come, all things are ours because we belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. This is an incredible statement of our inheritance in Christ. We do not need to fight over leadership, prestige, or personal gain because, in Christ, we already have everything we need. We are part of something much greater than ourselves—the kingdom of God.
This chapter challenges us to examine our hearts and priorities. Are we still acting like infants in the faith, clinging to jealousy and division? Are we building wisely on the foundation of Christ, using materials that will endure? Do we see ourselves as God’s temple, living in a way that honors Him? And are we seeking God's wisdom rather than the fleeting wisdom of the world? Paul calls us to grow up in our faith, to move beyond superficial loyalties and selfish ambitions, and to recognize the greatness of what we have been given in Christ. When we embrace these truths, we step into the fullness of our calling as God’s people, united in His purpose and strengthened by His Spirit.