1 Corinthians 3

3:7-9God's work involves many different individuals with a variety of gifts and abilities. There are no superstars in this task, only team members performing their own special roles. We can become useful members of God’s team by setting aside our desires to receive glory for what we do. Don't seek the praise that comes from people—it is comparatively worthless. Instead, seek approval from God.

3:10,11The foundation of the church—of all believers— is Jesus Christ. Nothing and no one else will do, wrote Paul. A building with no foundation, or one poorly constructed, will not last. The finest materials used to construct a home quickly rot and fall apart if they are resting on the ground. And a building is only as solid as its foundation. The foundation of our life is Jesus Christ; he is our base, our reason for being. Everything we are and do must fit into the pattern provided by him. Are you building your tife on the only real and tasting foundation, or are you building on a faulty foundation, such as wealth, security, success, or fame? Be careful how you build.

3:10-17While some have apptied these verses to personal spiritual growth, Paul's teaching has to do with ministry to others. What do we do to build others up? Do we build on Christ as foundation? Do we build with perishable materials? The Corinthians could construct their church with lasting, eternal teaching or with the changing, temporary wisdom of the day. Paul’s words challenge our methods of discipleship. Do we attach others to ourselves as the foundation, or to Christ? Do we use our abilities and spiritual gifts to build up others in the church or keep them tied to us? Do we use Bible-based teaching or merely adaptations of worldly wisdom?

3:13-15Two sure ways to destroy a building are to tamper with the foundation and to build with inferior materials. The church must be built on Christ, not on any other person or principle. Christ will evaluate each person’s contribution to the life of the church, and judgment day will reveal the sincerity of each person’s work. God will determine whether or not a person has been faithful to Jesus’ instructions. Good work will be rewarded; unfaithful or inferior work will be discounted. “The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames” means that unfaithful workers will be saved, but only by the skin of their teeth. All their accomplishments will count for nothing.

3:16,17Paul wanted the Corinthians to understand that they were a unified assembly (“all of you together are the temple of God” and “the Spirit of God lives in you”). They were not to see themselves as a collection of competing interests or independent individuals. Paul was emphasizing the intent of Jesus’ prayer in John 17:21-23 that believers be unifted in God. What actions could you take this week to strengthen your ties to fellow Christians in the church of Jesus Christ?

3:18-21Paul was not telling the Corinthian believers to neglect the pursuit of knowledge. He was warning them not to glory in the wisdom of this age. God's way of thinking is far above ours; he knows all the futile thoughts of the “wise.” The Corinthians were boasting about the wisdom of their leaders and teachers. Their pride made them value the messenger more than the message. We are not to put our trust in anyone but God.

3:22Paul says that both life and death are ours. While nonbelievers are victims of life, swept along by its current and wondering if there is meaning to it, believers can use life well because they understand its true purpose. Nonbelievers can only fear death. For believers, however, death holds no terrors because Christ has conquered all fears (see 1 John 4:18). Death is only the beginning of eternal life with God.