1 Coríntios 3
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Coríntios 3
Guzik has an interesting comment - Paul is being a little sarcastic here. Of course the Corinthians considered themselves wise in this age! That was one of their problems, their love of worldly wisdom. The person who elevates his own wisdom will always have a low view of Scripture. -- John MacArthur Thinks (supposes)(1380)(dokeo "primarily, to be of opinion, think, imagine, suppose. To hold an opinion based upon appearances which may be significantly different from reality which is absolutely true in this passage. Uses in Corinthians - 1 Co. 3:18; 1 Co. 4:9; 1 Co. 7:40; 1 Co. 8:2; 1 Co. 10:12; 1 Co. 11:16; 1 Co. 12:22; 1 Co. 12:23; 1 Co. 14:37; 2 Co. 10:9; 2 Co. 11:16; 2 Co. 12:19; Wise (4680) see sophos Age (165)(aion) generally means an extended period of time and has various meanings depending on the context. Age, referring to an age or time in contrast to kósmos, referring to people or space. The term generally expresses an extended span of time, but it additionally assumes a specific meaning according to its various contexts. Uses in Corinthians 1 Co. 1:20; 1 Co. 2:6; 1 Co. 2:7; 1 Co. 2:8; 1 Co. 3:18; 1 Co. 10:11; 2 Co. 4:4; 2 Co. 9:9; 2 Co. 11:31; He must become foolish, so that (purpose clause - states purpose of becoming foolish) he may become wise (sophos) - Paul is calling for the Corinthians to renounce all worldly wisdom, to make an "about face," a 180 degree turn back to the truth, to turn away from the wisdom of the world and to the wisdom of God. In short be willing to be called a fool (pride will fight against obeying this command for it does not want to be called a fool!) Becoming a fool for Jesus is better than following deceptive worldly wisdom! Note that Paul is not playing games, for the verb Must become is not a suggestion to the Corinthians but an "order" as from a commanding general, the aorist imperative command in essence calling for them to "Do this now!" "Do not delay!" "The need is urgent!" The idea of believers becoming foolish is that as the lost world looks at the wisdom from above (see contrasting description in James 3:15-18+) which is guiding the believer, they think he or she is utterly foolish! (Have you ever experienced that reaction from a lost person who considered you a fool?) In sum, Paul gives the solution for those believers then (and now) who think they are worldly wise. Obey his command -- Become foolish so you can become wise! Or using a play on the Greek word for foolish, moros, become a moron! The point is that fallen man's best wisdom is "moronic" in comparison to God's perfect wisdom which is marvelous! And since the two wisdoms are antithetical, like oil and water, they do not mix and are not be be thought of as synergistic (acting together to produce a greater effect). One must "cast off" the old (fleshly) way of thinking and put on the new, allowing God's Spirit and His Word to carry out a supernatural "mind renewal." (cf Eph 4:23-24+, Ro 12:2+). In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus' issues a command to His followers that sounds like utter foolishness to the natural men (1 Cor 2:14+) and their worldly wisdom "get even"... I say to you, love (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) your enemies and pray (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) for those who persecute you, (Mt 5:44+, cf Luke 6:27+) In chapter 4 Paul writes 1 Corinthians 4:10+ We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. Vance Havner - Fools for Christ - This world has always been moved, not by cold, calculating brass hats but by fools with their facts on fire; fools to their own generation, who perhaps did not know as much as some others but who were consumed by what they knew. And God is looking for "fools for Christ's sake" who are sure of a few great facts and with those facts on fire. James Smith - If a Christian is not in the eyes of the world an anomaly he is nothing. The Spirit of God always makes a tremendous distinction between men. "Ye are a peculiar people." The energy of the natural man, and that of the Holy Spirit in the believer, are as different as darkness is from light; as far apart in character as Judas was from John....When God makes His choice of weapons they are always weak and base in the sight of the wisdom of this world (1 Cor. 1:27, 28). Fools for Christ. (Read his full discussion of Gideon's Victory where the numbers of warriors and weapons are "foolish" to the natural, logical man - scroll down to middle of the page). In another comment on fools for Christ, Smith writes "Those who are fools for Christ have a business, and pleasures, and prospects, that Christless eyes have never seen. Fools, because they hold lightly the material, and grasp with firm hand the eternal. The things of the Spirit of God are foolishness to the natural man (1 Cor. 2:14). To die to live, is wiser than to die to be lost. (from For Christ's Sake) We are not much use in the Lord's service until we are willing to become fools for Christ. |It is ours to obey and to trust. Opinions formed apart from the light of God's Word will sooner or later bring the blush of confusion to your face. --- James Smith As
1 Coríntios 3
Guzik - Precious stones doesn’t mean jewels, but fine stone materials like marble and granite (ED: THINK OF THE LARGE FOUNDATION STONES OF GRANITE AND MARBLE AT THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL, ETC - THAT'S THE IDEA). Mixing the wisdom of men with the wisdom of God in the work of building the church is like using alternate layers of straw and marble in building. Straw may be fine, it may have a place (in the barn), but it is an inadequate building material. In the same way, human wisdom and fleshly attractions may have a place in life, but not in the building of the church. There is only one foundation for the church. If it isn’t founded on Jesus Christ, it isn’t a church at all. So one can’t build on any other foundation; but one can build unworthily on the one foundation. (1 Corinthians 3 Commentary) Wood, hay, straw - These three metaphors present a clear contrast with the first triad of metaphors. In the ancient world most homes were framed with wood, with the walls of hay and mud and with roofs thatched with straw, these three items together suggesting the metaphor of a building or a house. The most obvious distinction is that all three items are flammable, while the former three (gold, silver, precious stones) are generally considered inflammable. These are not costly, but the former are very costly. A building built with these materials is no more than a facade, a fake building at best, but a frail, flammable building for sure! In sum, we must build with materials that are valuable and permanent, not worthless and temporary! How would you classify the materials you are building with in your church, your ministry (formal or informal)? Now is the time to do a careful examination, for later may be too late and your experience in eternity will be far less than in could be (depending on what the nature of eternal rewards prove to be which is largely a mystery now)! Jack Arnold - People are eternal. Everything else will go up in smoke. The things which will be burned are the Christian fads and the non-people priorities which the minister spent so much time supporting in his so-called ministry. “We need to ask this question, ‘Is what I am doing building people or just building my own little empire? Isn’t it possible to be so concerned about things, ideas, and projects, that we fail to see whether or not all of that enhances the building up of people” (Knofel Staton, 1 Corinthians)? Many pastors on judgment day will come to realize they wasted their lives on frivolous, non-eternal projects. They will discover they invested time, interests, priorities, monies and talents in things which were worthless as far as God’s eternal evaluation is concerned. (Ibid) John
1 Coríntios 3
Guzik - The fire does not purify the worker, it tests their workmanship. Roman Catholics use this passage to teach purgatory, the idea that when we die, we go to a place where we are purified by fire before we go to heaven. The idea of purgatory has nothing to do with this passage, and nothing to do with any other passage in the Bible. Purgatory is strictly a human invention, and denies the finished work of Jesus for the believer. This passage has first application to Christian leaders, because this is Paul’s topic in context, but the application extends to all servants of God. Henry
1 Coríntios 3
Guzik explains all things belong to you this way - To say I am of Paul or I am of Apollos is to have a view that is too narrow, too constricted. Both Paul and Apollos belong to you; the whole universe is yours in Christ. Jack Arnold - Paul's point is obvious—as heirs of all things in Christ, Christians possess even the ministers of the gospel. All ministers belong to and serve the church; therefore, we should never claim to follow just one particular minister. These Corinthians were limiting themselves by clinging to only one minister. God has given many teachers and preachers to the Body of Christ, the church, to build it up. Instead of enriching themselves, these Corinthians were impoverishing themselves by following one particular minister in preacher worship which is a form of idolatry. Idolatry is putting anything or anyone above Jesus Christ the Lord. God has told us He will never share His glory with any mere man. These Corinthians did not belong to any human leader. They belonged only to Christ and owed allegiance only to Him. By exalting human leaders, these Corinthians were acting like their own masters rather than as people who belonged to the Master, Jesus Christ. All of us must stop exalting ministers and see them as mere men with a special calling from God who are appointed to serve God and the church. (1 Corinthians 3:18-4:5 Stewards Of The Gospel) Knofel Staton - Instead of saying, "I am of Paul,” or , "I am of Apollos," We say, "I am of the Baptists,” "I am of the Methodists,” "I am of the Assembly of God," "I am of the Church of Christ," "I am of the Presbyterians.” And then we build our fences so high that none of us can see the other, and we make our doors so thick that none will walk through and associate with the others as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We have come full circle. We are living out today the seed of what the Corinthians started. They were not divided into separate groups, but we are today. We are so sharply divided that many of us do not believe that there are any Christians in any other group. We believe that all things that belong to God are ours and no one else’s (1 Corinthians). Hodges explains all things belong to you this way - The amplification of these words, given in the next verse, shows that they are to be taken in their widest sense. “The universe is yours. How unworthy it is, then, for you to boast about men.” Paul often appeals to the dignity and destiny of the church as a motive to right action. Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? (1 Cor 6:2). There are two senses in which we may understand the declaration that all things are yours. 1. It means that all things are designed to promote the interests of the church. The consummation of the work of redemption is the great end to which all things are directed and to which they are to be made subservient. 2. The church is the “heir of the world” (Romans 4:13). All things are given to Christ as the head of the church and to the church in him. His people are to reign with him (Romans 8:17), and the glory that the Father gave him, he gives to them (John 17:22). The church that is to be exalted like this is not any external society with its hierarchy; nor is it the body of poor, imperfect believers as they are now, who for their own good are despised and downtrodden. But it is the consummated church to be formed out of materials now so unpromising. The people of God, however, should not be unmindful of their high destiny, nor act unworthily of it. (1 Corinthians 3 Commentary) Kistemaker explains it this way - God’s people must see Christ’s handiwork in every aspect of creation; they should glorify him for everything he has made and constantly upholds by his power. By using the expression all things, Paul includes the ministry of those who preach and teach the gospel. Thus he exhorts the Corinthians to see that the Lord gives them everything, both spiritual and material. God’s people indeed possess all things. Bob Utley's SPECIAL TOPICS (LIST): BOASTING These Greek terms kauchaomai, kauchēma, and kauchēsis are used about thirty five times by Paul and only twice in the rest of the NT (both in James). Its predominate use is in I and II Corinthians. There are two main truths connected to boasting. 1. no flesh shall glory/boast before God (cf. 1 Cor. 1:29; Eph. 2:9) 2. believers should glory in the Lord (cf. 1 Cor. 1:31; 2 Cor. 10:17, which is an allusion to Jer. 9:23–24) Therefore, there is appropriate and inappropriate boasting/glorying (pride). 1. appropriate a. in the hope of glory (cf. Ro 4:2) b. in God through the Lord Jesus (cf. Ro 5:11) c. in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ (Paul’s main theme, cf. 1 Cor. 1:17–18; Gal. 6:14) d. Paul boasts in (1) his ministry without compensation (cf. 1 Cor. 9:15, 16; 2 Cor. 10:12) (2) his authority from Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 10:8, 12) (3) his not boasting in other men’s labor (as some at Corinth were, cf. 2 Cor. 10:15) (4) his racial heritage (as others were doing at Corinth, cf. 2 Cor. 11:17; 12:1, 5, 6) (5) his churches (a) Corinth (2 Cor. 7:4, 14; 8:24; 9:2; 11:10) (b) Thessalonica (cf. 2 Thess. 1:4) (6) his confidence in God’s comfort and deliverance (cf. 2 Cor. 1:12) 2. inappropriate a. in relation to Jewish heritage (cf. Rom. 2:17, 23; 3:27; Gal. 6:13) b. some in the Corinthian church were boasting (1) in men (cf. 1 Cor. 3:21) (2) in wisdom (cf. 1 Cor. 4:7) (3) in freedom (cf. 1 Cor. 5:6) c. false teachers tried to boast in the church at Corinth (cf. 2 Cor. 11:12) 1 Corinthians 3:22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, Amplified - Whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas (Peter), or the universe or life or death, or the immediate and threatening present or the [subsequent and uncertain] future—all are yours,
1 Coríntios 3
Guzik observes that " even death is “ours”; it is our servant, not our master! Death may be to us as the angel who touched Peter in Acts 12, causing his chains to fall off, and leading him through a gate that opens by itself, into real freedom. All things belong to you - This is like a divine exclamation point, repeating all things belong to you in 1 Cor 3:21. How could this be true? Because of the next statement. We belong to Christ and He to God and God is the Owner of everything. So by association, by an unbreakable covenant bond, we are "omni-possessors!" The question of course is why do we so often live like spiritual paupers? Arnold - There is no limit to a believer’s possessions in Christ. Paul's point is obvious—as heirs of all things in Christ, Christians possess even the ministers of the gospel. All ministers belong to and serve the church; therefore, we should never claim to follow just one particular minister. These Corinthians were limiting themselves by clinging to only one minister. God has given many teachers and preachers to the Body of Christ, the church, to build it up. Instead of enriching themselves, these Corinthians were impoverishing themselves by following one particular minister in preacher worship which is a form of idolatry. Idolatry is putting anything or anyone above Jesus Christ the Lord. God has told us He will never share His glory with any mere man. These Corinthians did not belong to any human leader. They belonged only to Christ and owed allegiance only to Him. By exalting human leaders, these Corinthians were acting like their own masters rather than as people who belonged to the Master, Jesus Christ. All of us must stop exalting ministers and see them as mere men with a special calling from God who are appointed to serve God and the church. (1 Corinthians 3:18-4:5 Stewards Of The Gospel) Staton writes that this problem of "preacher preference" in Corinth is just as real today as it was in the first century - Instead of saying, "I am of Paul,” or , "I am of Apollos," We say, "I am of the Baptists,” "I am of the Methodists,” "I am of the Assembly of God," "I am of the Church of Christ," "I am of the Presbyterians.” And then we build our fences so high that none of us can see the other, and we make our doors so thick that none will walk through and associate with the others as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We have come full circle. We are living out today the seed of what the Corinthians started. They were not divided into separate groups, but we are today. We are so sharply divided that many of us do not believe that there are any Christians in any other group. We believe that all things that belong to God are ours and no one else’s (Borrow First Corinthians : unlocking the Scriptures for you). 1 Corinthians 3:23 and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God. Amplified - And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
1 Coríntios 3
Guzik has a great comment "All are yours: This is Christian liberty. And you are Christ’s: This is Christian responsibility." Yes, they belonged to Christ and were in Christ and their exalted position called for holy practice, including laying aside party factionalism. Kistemaker on the significance of belong to Christ - Hence they live for Christ, whose they are and whom they serve, and not for parties within the church. Let no one individually say, “I am of Christ” (1:12), for as a body they all belong to Christ. With this summary, Paul effectively puts an end to the factionalism in the church. Sixteenth-century theologian Zacharias Ursinus posed the pertinent question, “What is your only comfort in life and death?” And he replied to his own query, “That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and death—to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.”