1 Corinthians 3:8 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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1 Corinthians 3:8

Comments

Here is another angle on the same thing. Church building is God's work. ‘He that planteth and he that watereth are one.’ Both Paul and Apollos in their time were pastors of the church at Corinth. They both had the church's interests at heart. They were both doing, in their different ways, exactly the same job in God's eyes. They both made an essential contribution to that church.

Application

Never call a man as minister who wants to employ the tricks of the world. The apostle has been saying, that is carnal; that is not trusting in the Lord. Never call a man as minister who omits conduct. He may preach the doctrines of grace and that is good and important, but however well he does it, if he doesn't talk about conduct and behaviour and apply the word of God, that is not the man. Application and behaviour is indispensable. Never call a person who cannot inspire devotion to Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Never call a person who doesn't know anything about fear and trembling, like the apostle. Not because he was afraid of the crowd, but because he was afraid due to the magnitude of the task. How can I move souls and present Christ adequately? That thought was the thought that made the apostle Paul tremble. Never call an overconfident worker for the Lord. Call a person who compares Scripture with Scripture, a person who, like Paul, is all for the principle of the working church, a person who believes in the humility of ministers. It is not us; it is the Lord who brings souls to himself. We are just the messengers and the Lord does the work. Take heed, says Paul.

Questions

What does the apostle Paul mean here by reward? Some people tell us that when we go to heaven, while every Christian will know heaven and its glory, there will be different rewards given to different Christian. Some will collect large rewards and others will get a smaller reward. Who will get the greatest reward? Will it be Paul, or will it be Apollos? Others believe that there are no differences in rewards in heaven. The greatest reward, the most wonderful reward is to have Christ's glory, and a place in heaven for eternity. So what does the apostle Paul mean here by reward? Is he talking about eternal rewards? No, actually he is in the middle of an illustration; he simply saying that if you have got two farm labourers and both do the same job, then they will both get the same pay. He is saying it in this context: you hero worship Paul or Apollos; some give more credit to Paul, and others to Apollos, but you should not be doing that. They are both due the same credit. But anyway, if you are going to give credit you give it, according to his labour. So if you are thinking of giving credit, bear that in mind. You give credit and you value the people whose labours cost the most.

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Introduction

1 Corinthians 3:8 Commentary and Bible Study