Thematic Bible
1 Corinthians 3:1 (show verse)
And I could not speak to you, brothers, as I would to spiritual people, but [I have to speak to you] as I would to worldly people, for you are immature children in [the fellowship of] Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:2 (show verse)
For I fed you with milk, not with solid food [i.e., with basic fundamentals instead of more advanced teaching. See Heb. 5:12-13] because you were not able to absorb it,
Adaption of truth » Simple truth for the immature
Carnality » Who is carnal
Immaturity » Who is immature
spiritual Immaturity » Inability to receive strong doctrine
Spiritual life » Has its infancy
Man » Redemption of » Weakness of
Milk » Figuratite
Milk » Illustrative of » First principles of God's word
Spiritual » Immaturity » Inability to receive strong doctrine
Truth » Adaption of » Simple truth for the immature
human Weakness » Manifested in all men
Carnality » Who is carnal
Immaturity » Who is immature
spiritual Immaturity » Inability to receive strong doctrine
Spiritual life » Has its infancy
Man » Redemption of » Weakness of
Milk » Figuratite
Milk » Illustrative of » First principles of God's word
Spiritual » Immaturity » Inability to receive strong doctrine
Truth » Adaption of » Simple truth for the immature
human Weakness » Manifested in all men
1 Corinthians 3:3 (show verse)
for you are still worldly [minded]. And since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, is that not evidence that you are [still] worldly and living like [unspiritual] people?
Bearing fruit » God giving the increase
Carnality » Who is carnal
Church » Similitudes of the church compared to » Strife in
Church » Dissensions in
Church » Divisions in, to be shunned
Dissension » In congregations
Division » Who is divided
Divisions » Weaken
Divisions » Are proof of a carnal spirit
Envy » A proof of carnal-mindedness
Envy » Who has envy among them
Immaturity » Who is immature
Labor » Who shall eat the fruits of their labor
Strife » Causes of » In the church
Strife » Ministers should » Reprove
Strife » Who has strife among them
Strife » An evidence of a carnal spirit
Carnality » Who is carnal
Church » Similitudes of the church compared to » Strife in
Church » Dissensions in
Church » Divisions in, to be shunned
Dissension » In congregations
Division » Who is divided
Divisions » Weaken
Divisions » Are proof of a carnal spirit
Envy » A proof of carnal-mindedness
Envy » Who has envy among them
Immaturity » Who is immature
Labor » Who shall eat the fruits of their labor
Strife » Causes of » In the church
Strife » Ministers should » Reprove
Strife » Who has strife among them
Strife » An evidence of a carnal spirit
1 Corinthians 3:4 (show verse)
For when one of you says, "I am a follower of Paul," and another says, "I am a follower of Apollos," are you not [acting like worldly] people?
Apollos » General references to
Apollos » Facts concerning » Very popular in corinth, where, apparently, a faction gathered about him
Apollos » An eloquent, Christian convert at corinth
Bearing fruit » God giving the increase
Carnality » Who is carnal
Church » Dissensions in
Corinth » The congregation of » Schism in
Dissension » In congregations
Division » Who is divided
Labor » Who shall eat the fruits of their labor
Apollos » Facts concerning » Very popular in corinth, where, apparently, a faction gathered about him
Apollos » An eloquent, Christian convert at corinth
Bearing fruit » God giving the increase
Carnality » Who is carnal
Church » Dissensions in
Corinth » The congregation of » Schism in
Dissension » In congregations
Division » Who is divided
Labor » Who shall eat the fruits of their labor
1 Corinthians 3:5 (show verse)
After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? They are [only] servants through whom you believed [in Christ], with each one doing what the Lord gave him to do.
Apollos » Facts concerning » Very popular in corinth, where, apparently, a faction gathered about him
Apollos » An eloquent, Christian convert at corinth
Bearing fruit » God giving the increase
Deacon » Also translated "minister,"
Division » Who is divided
Faith » Preaching designed to produce
Labor » Who shall eat the fruits of their labor
Apollos » An eloquent, Christian convert at corinth
Bearing fruit » God giving the increase
Deacon » Also translated "minister,"
Division » Who is divided
Faith » Preaching designed to produce
Labor » Who shall eat the fruits of their labor
1 Corinthians 3:6 (show verse)
I [Paul] planted [i.e., preached God's word], Apollos watered [it], but God made it grow.
Agriculture or husbandry » Operations in » Watering
Apollos » Facts concerning » Very popular in corinth, where, apparently, a faction gathered about him
Apollos » An eloquent, Christian convert at corinth
Bearing fruit » God giving the increase
Division » Who is divided
Increase » God giving the increase
Irrigation » Figurative
Labor » Who shall eat the fruits of their labor
Power » Of God » Efficiency of ministers is through
God, Power of » Efficiency of ministers is through
Apollos » Facts concerning » Very popular in corinth, where, apparently, a faction gathered about him
Apollos » An eloquent, Christian convert at corinth
Bearing fruit » God giving the increase
Division » Who is divided
Increase » God giving the increase
Irrigation » Figurative
Labor » Who shall eat the fruits of their labor
Power » Of God » Efficiency of ministers is through
God, Power of » Efficiency of ministers is through
1 Corinthians 3:7 (show verse)
So then, it does not matter who plants or who waters, but [it is] God who matters, for He makes the seed grow.
Agriculture or husbandry » Operations in » Watering
Apollos » An eloquent, Christian convert at corinth
Bearing fruit » God giving the increase
Division » Who is divided
Increase » God giving the increase
Labor » Who shall eat the fruits of their labor
Ministers » Labors of, vain, without God's blessing
Partnership » With God
Power » Of God » Efficiency of ministers is through
God, Power of » Efficiency of ministers is through
Apollos » An eloquent, Christian convert at corinth
Bearing fruit » God giving the increase
Division » Who is divided
Increase » God giving the increase
Labor » Who shall eat the fruits of their labor
Ministers » Labors of, vain, without God's blessing
Partnership » With God
Power » Of God » Efficiency of ministers is through
God, Power of » Efficiency of ministers is through
1 Corinthians 3:8 (show verse)
Now the person who plants and the person who waters have the same [purpose], and each one will receive his own wages, according to the work each one does.
Agriculture or husbandry » Operations in » Watering
Bearing fruit » God giving the increase
Division » Who is divided
God's Promises » Of reward for spiritual service » The good of all nations
Increase » God giving the increase
Irrigation » Figurative
Labor » Who shall eat the fruits of their labor
Power » Of God » Efficiency of ministers is through
God, Power of » Efficiency of ministers is through
Proportionate reward » In the lord's vineyard
Responsibility » Personal
Reward » For spiritual service » The good of all nations
Reward » Of the wicked proportionate to service rendered » In the lord's vineyard
the future » The rewards of the faithful for spiritual service » The good of all nations
Bearing fruit » God giving the increase
Division » Who is divided
God's Promises » Of reward for spiritual service » The good of all nations
Increase » God giving the increase
Irrigation » Figurative
Labor » Who shall eat the fruits of their labor
Power » Of God » Efficiency of ministers is through
God, Power of » Efficiency of ministers is through
Proportionate reward » In the lord's vineyard
Responsibility » Personal
Reward » For spiritual service » The good of all nations
Reward » Of the wicked proportionate to service rendered » In the lord's vineyard
the future » The rewards of the faithful for spiritual service » The good of all nations
1 Corinthians 3:9 (show verse)
For we are all fellow-workers in God's service; you people are God's farm land; [you are] God's building.
Agriculture or husbandry » Illustrative of the » Culture of the church
Bearing fruit » God giving the increase
Christ » Conqueror of death » Co-operation with
Church » Similitudes of the church compared to » 1 a building
Church » God's husbandry (farm)
Church » God's building
Division » Who is divided
Husbandman » An agriculturist
Increase » God giving the increase
Labor » Who shall eat the fruits of their labor
spiritual Labourers » Great opportunity afforded to
Names » Of the church » God's husbandry
Names » Of the church » God's building
Partnership » With God
Similitudes » The church compared to » Building
Spiritual » Labourers » Great opportunity afforded to
religious Work » Helpful various forms of, to which men are called » Wrought in co-operation with God
Bearing fruit » God giving the increase
Christ » Conqueror of death » Co-operation with
Church » Similitudes of the church compared to » 1 a building
Church » God's husbandry (farm)
Church » God's building
Division » Who is divided
Husbandman » An agriculturist
Increase » God giving the increase
Labor » Who shall eat the fruits of their labor
spiritual Labourers » Great opportunity afforded to
Names » Of the church » God's husbandry
Names » Of the church » God's building
Partnership » With God
Similitudes » The church compared to » Building
Spiritual » Labourers » Great opportunity afforded to
religious Work » Helpful various forms of, to which men are called » Wrought in co-operation with God
1 Corinthians 3:10 (show verse)
Using the unearned favor shown to me by God [Note: Paul here probably refers to his apostleship and its attending spiritual gifts], as an expert building contractor, I laid the foundation [i.e., in starting the Corinthian church], and someone else is building on it [i.e., Apollos. See verse 6].
Arts and crafts » Names of various » Master-workmen
Church » Body of Christ » Compared to a building
Foundation » There being no real foundation other than jesus Christ
God » Grace of » Empowers men for service
Grace » Specially given » To ministers
Grace » Divine » Empowers men for service
Grace » God's » Empowers men for service
Labor » Man’s work
Manifestation » What shall be manifested
Union with Christ » Illustrated » Foundation and building
Church » Body of Christ » Compared to a building
Foundation » There being no real foundation other than jesus Christ
God » Grace of » Empowers men for service
Grace » Specially given » To ministers
Grace » Divine » Empowers men for service
Grace » God's » Empowers men for service
Labor » Man’s work
Manifestation » What shall be manifested
Union with Christ » Illustrated » Foundation and building
1 Corinthians 3:11 (show verse)
For no one can lay [any] other foundation than the one which [God] has [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Christ » Indispensable absolutely indispensable » The only foundation
Christ » Precious » The only foundation
Church » Foundation of furnishes perfect security » General references to
The church » Christ, the foundation-stone of
Corner-stone » Figurative » Of Christ
Foundation » There being no real foundation other than jesus Christ
Foundation » Illustrative of » Christ
Spiritual foundation » General references to
Christ Indispensable » The only foundation
Labor » Man’s work
Manifestation » What shall be manifested
Only saviour » Absolutely indispensable » The only foundation
Only saviour » Jesus the » All hope of eternal life is built upon him
Jesus Christ, Savior » Absolutely indispensable » The only foundation
Jesus Christ, Savior » Christ the only » All hope of eternal life is built upon him
Spiritual » Foundation » General references to
Stones » Figurative » The true foundation
Union with Christ » Illustrated » Foundation and building
Christ » Precious » The only foundation
Church » Foundation of furnishes perfect security » General references to
The church » Christ, the foundation-stone of
Corner-stone » Figurative » Of Christ
Foundation » There being no real foundation other than jesus Christ
Foundation » Illustrative of » Christ
Spiritual foundation » General references to
Christ Indispensable » The only foundation
Labor » Man’s work
Manifestation » What shall be manifested
Only saviour » Absolutely indispensable » The only foundation
Only saviour » Jesus the » All hope of eternal life is built upon him
Jesus Christ, Savior » Absolutely indispensable » The only foundation
Jesus Christ, Savior » Christ the only » All hope of eternal life is built upon him
Spiritual » Foundation » General references to
Stones » Figurative » The true foundation
Union with Christ » Illustrated » Foundation and building
1 Corinthians 3:12 (show verse)
But if anyone [i.e., a preacher or soul winner] builds on this foundation with gold, silver, expensive building stones, wood, grass, or straw,
1 Corinthians 3:13 (show verse)
[the quality of] each person's work will become evident [i.e., for what is it made of]. For the [judgment] day will expose his workmanship. And it will be revealed by the fire [of judgment], which will test the quality of a person's workmanship [i.e., the faithfulness of his converts].
Afflictions » Life tested by the lord » The final test
Christian ministers » Works » Tested
Days » Illustrative of » Time of judgment
Fire » As a purifier
Labor » Man’s work
spiritual Loss » Causes of » Imperfect service
Manifestation » What shall be manifested
Profit and loss » Spiritual loss causes of » Imperfect service
Responsibility » Personal
spiritual Tests » Life tested by the lord » Final
Trial » What shall be tried
Christian ministers » Works » Tested
Days » Illustrative of » Time of judgment
Fire » As a purifier
Labor » Man’s work
spiritual Loss » Causes of » Imperfect service
Manifestation » What shall be manifested
Profit and loss » Spiritual loss causes of » Imperfect service
Responsibility » Personal
spiritual Tests » Life tested by the lord » Final
Trial » What shall be tried
1 Corinthians 3:14 (show verse)
If the work of anyone lasts [i.e., if his converts are judged faithful], he will receive a reward [i.e., his converts will constitute part of his reward].
Christian ministers » Works » Tested
the Enduring » Those things that abide » Spiritual works
God » Promises to the tempted » Special promises to religious workers
God's Promises » To the widow and fatherless » To religious workers
Labor » Man’s work
Ministers » Hospitality to » Promises to
Ministers » When faithful » Are rewarded
Responsibility » Personal
Trial » What shall be tried
religious Work » Personal, example of » Special promises to religious workers
the Enduring » Those things that abide » Spiritual works
God » Promises to the tempted » Special promises to religious workers
God's Promises » To the widow and fatherless » To religious workers
Labor » Man’s work
Ministers » Hospitality to » Promises to
Ministers » When faithful » Are rewarded
Responsibility » Personal
Trial » What shall be tried
religious Work » Personal, example of » Special promises to religious workers
1 Corinthians 3:15 (show verse)
But if anyone's work is burned up [i.e., does not survive the judgment], he will experience loss [i.e., of his converts], but he himself will [still] be saved, like a person escaping from the fire [i.e., of a burning building, which consumes his efforts].
1 Corinthians 3:16 (show verse)
Do you people not know that you are God's Temple [i.e., the church. See I Pet. 2:5; I Tim. 3:15], and that the Holy Spirit of God lives in you [i.e., collectively]?
Body » What the body is
Body » The temple of God
Chastity » Breach of, punished
Church » Similitudes of the church compared to » 7 a temple
Church » Temple of God
Defilement » Illustrative » Of unholy doctrines
Defilement » Those that defile the temple of God
Glory of the The church » Consist in its » Being the temple of God
Fellowship » Of the holy spirit
Holy spirit » Where the holy spirit dwells
Holy spirit » Called the comforter, (greek, parakletos) » Indwelling
Holy spirit » Dwelling in believers
Holy spirit » As dwelling in saints
the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit » In his church, as his temple
Names » Of the church » Temple of God
Similitudes » The church compared to » 7 a temple
Spirit » The leadership of holy spirit » Indwelling holy spirit, in believers
Spirit » The leadership of holy spirit » Dwelling in believers
Spiritual » Temple » General references to
Temple » Figurative » Of the indwelling of God
spiritual Temple » General references to
The First Temple » Illustrative of » The spiritual church
Titles and names of the church » Temple of God
Body » The temple of God
Chastity » Breach of, punished
Church » Similitudes of the church compared to » 7 a temple
Church » Temple of God
Defilement » Illustrative » Of unholy doctrines
Defilement » Those that defile the temple of God
Glory of the The church » Consist in its » Being the temple of God
Fellowship » Of the holy spirit
Holy spirit » Where the holy spirit dwells
Holy spirit » Called the comforter, (greek, parakletos) » Indwelling
Holy spirit » Dwelling in believers
Holy spirit » As dwelling in saints
the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit » In his church, as his temple
Names » Of the church » Temple of God
Similitudes » The church compared to » 7 a temple
Spirit » The leadership of holy spirit » Indwelling holy spirit, in believers
Spirit » The leadership of holy spirit » Dwelling in believers
Spiritual » Temple » General references to
Temple » Figurative » Of the indwelling of God
spiritual Temple » General references to
The First Temple » Illustrative of » The spiritual church
Titles and names of the church » Temple of God
1 Corinthians 3:17 (show verse)
If any person destroys God's Temple, God will destroy him. For God's Temple is holy [i.e., set apart for His service], and you people are His [holy] Temple.
Body » What the body is
Chastity » Breach of, punished
Church » Holy
Church » Temple of God
Church » Defiling of, will be punished
The church » Defiling of, will be punished
Defilement » Illustrative » Of unholy doctrines
Defilement » Those that defile the temple of God
Glory of the The church » Consist in its » Being the temple of God
Holiness » Saints » Possess
Holy spirit » Where the holy spirit dwells
Sacrilege » Forbidden
Temple » Figurative » Of the indwelling of God
Titles and names of the church » Temple of God
Chastity » Breach of, punished
Church » Holy
Church » Temple of God
Church » Defiling of, will be punished
The church » Defiling of, will be punished
Defilement » Illustrative » Of unholy doctrines
Defilement » Those that defile the temple of God
Glory of the The church » Consist in its » Being the temple of God
Holiness » Saints » Possess
Holy spirit » Where the holy spirit dwells
Sacrilege » Forbidden
Temple » Figurative » Of the indwelling of God
Titles and names of the church » Temple of God
1 Corinthians 3:18 (show verse)
No one should fool himself. If any person among you thinks he is smart, by human standards, he should become a "fool," so that he can become [really] wise.
1 Corinthians 3:19 (show verse)
For this world's "wisdom" is foolishness to God. For it is written [Job 5:13], "He [i.e., God] catches wise people in their cleverness."
1 Corinthians 3:20 (show verse)
And again, it says [Psa. 94:11], "The Lord knows that the thoughts of 'wise people' are worthless."
1 Corinthians 3:21 (show verse)
So, no one should boast about [the knowledge or position of] people. For all things belong to you,
1 Corinthians 3:22 (show verse)
including Paul, and Apollos, and Cephas [i.e., Peter], and the world, and life and death, and present and future things. All of these things are yours. [Note: Paul is showing that, as Christians, they really possessed and should value all preachers and circumstances of life alike].
1 Corinthians 3:23 (show verse)
And you people belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.