Lesson 3—On Divisions In The Church

I Corinthians 3:1-17

Introduction

What does the Lord want for His Church? Read Jesus’ prayer recorded in John 17:11, 20-23.

The apostle Paul urged the Christians in Rome, "I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them" (Romans 16:17). Why? Paul’s answer in verse 18 is, “For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”

One of the themes of this letter is “true spirituality.” Paul defines true spirituality and contrast such with the “worldliness” of the Corinthians. What are some of the characteristics of “worldly” versus “spiritual” people?

Contextual Overview
Paul lays the foundation for this letter in the first nine verses of chapter 1. After this introduction, Paul immediately proceeds to deal with the problem of divisions within the church (vv. 10-17). Verse 17 serves as Paul’s transition to his next line of argument. He says his preaching is not done with “words of human wisdom,” because this is detrimental to the proclamation of the cross of Christ.

Paul has a big surprise for the Corinthians in chapter 3. They thought Paul was the problem. They were wrong! Paul has already hinted at the real problem in 2:6 when he wrote, “we do speak a message of wisdom among the mature.” Now Paul tells the Corinthians they are not mature. The reason he cannot speak words of wisdom to them is because they are “worldly” (or carnal).

Outline
I. Baby Christians (3:1-4)
II. God’s Farm (3:5-9)
III. God’s Building (3:10-15)
IV. Don’t Tamper With the Temple (3:16-17)

Textual Review
Baby Christians (3:1-4)
The conduct of the Corinthians shows that they had not progressed in their faith – “I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly – mere infants in Christ” (v. 1). Here a label is given describing some of the Christians in Corinth. In the King James Version, the label, “carnal” is used. The NIV uses the term “worldly.” J. B. Phillips in his translations focuses on the contrast Paul makes with those who are spiritual and renders the term “unspiritual.”

Labels are given in scripture to describe individuals, however, we’ve been conditioned to be cautious in labeling one another. Why was it appropriate for Paul to use this particular label at this point in his Corinthian letter?

ICorinthians 3 is not the only place in the Bible where Christians are referred to as those who fall short of the goal of being “spiritual.” See Hebrews 5:11-14, 1 Peter 2:1-3, and Galatians 6:1. When they were new converts, it was appropriate that their spiritual diet be “milk, not solid food” (v. 2), but over time, they should have outgrown that state. But they hadn’t. Why?

First, he is saying they are "soft." Not exercised. They cannot take much. Second, he is saying they are acting like ordinary, earthly, selfish people. He is not talking about their diets, he is talking about how they look at things. Spiritual people have their minds on matters that rise above their personal interests. Those who are not spiritual people have a hard time looking beyond their self-interest.

In verse 3, the accusation is made specific: “there is jealousy and quarrelling among you.” Both terms point to self-assertion and unhealthy rivalries. When they should have been considerate of others (Rom. 12:10), they were asserting their selfish wills. They were fighting over which preacher was the greatest – Paul or Apollos.

Some Christians still have this problem and play the silly game of "who is your favorite preacher, teacher, etc." Anyone (i.e., elder, preacher, teacher, deacon, member) who forgets that we are all just servants is in danger and heading for division. And division is wrong, sinful, and destructive. In Proverbs 6:16-19, the wise man, Solomon, includes it in a list of things the Lord hates.

God’s Farm (3:5-9)
Notice in verse 5 that Paul speaks of himself and Apollos alone, omitting Peter for the moment (compare 1:12). Paul is the first to come to Corinth with the gospel, followed later by Apollos. These were the two apostles most intimately associated with this church. Contrary to the translation found in the King James Version (which render “Who?”), Paul begins his question with the word “What?” By asking “What?” rather than “Who?” Paul focuses on the place or position to which the Corinthians’ leaders have been elevated, rather than upon the personalities of each.

The problem of esteeming leaders too highly starts very subtly and innocently. It begins with a deep respect and appreciation, often because this individual has led them to Christ, or that he (or she) has significantly contributed to their spiritual growth. This one person is given excessive credit for the work of God and elevated to a position of authority above what should be given to men. Allegiance to this leader becomes a status symbol in which followers take great pride. Out of this misguided allegiance, they feel obligated to ignore or even oppose other Christian leaders.

This is precisely the problem at Corinth, as described in its incipient stages in the early chapters of 1 Corinthians. But by the time we reach the end of 2 Corinthians, it is a much more developed and dangerous matter. People are not attaching themselves to one apostle as opposed to the others; they are attaching themselves to false apostles, who are not servants of God, but servants of Satan (II Cor. 11:13-15).

Speaking of himself and Apollos, he says, in effect, “We are not heroes to be adored; we are not gods to be worshipped; we are not masters to be blindly followed. We are simply servants of God, servants who by God’s grace and appointment were allowed to be instrumental in your coming to Christ.”

The real work of spiritual growth is done by God. The process is likened to agriculture. “Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God made it grow” (v. 6). The work of Paul and Apollos is viewed as completed, but God’s activity in giving the increase goes on. Having established this important point, Paul proceeds to draw conclusions. Neither the planter nor the waterer is important. The attention of the Corinthians should have been focused on God. Not on he and Apollos. Again, they were just servants, each with a unique function but united in purpose.

Verse 9 is a key verse in this section – “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” Once again, Paul places strong emphasis on the divine action. Ministers and those who serve are no more than God’s instruments.

God’s Building (3:10-17)
Paul ascribes his work at Corinth in laying the foundation to the “grace God has given me” (v. 10). Paul laid the foundation at Corinth, but someone else was carrying on the work of building. Paul cautions every builder to be careful how he builds.

Christians become, in this analogy, living stones built upon the Lord. We are all being built into a great structure – the church of the Lord Jesus. Yet some people are not nearly as careful as to what kind of materials they use in building upon the foundation. They use wood, hay, or even stubble, all of which can be destroyed by fire. Paul was actually referring to the different kinds of disciples found in the church.

There will come a time of testing for all we build. Paul speaks in verse 13 to the day when Christ returns (i.e., the day of judgment). See II Thes. 5:4 and Heb. 10:25. The Day of Judgment will be a day when the work God’s people have done will be judged.

Don’t Tamper With the Temple (3:16-17)
Paul brings out the sacredness of the community of believers by likening the building to a temple in which God dwells (vv. 16-17). What is the correlation of failing to live in step with the Spirit’s indwelling with being “unspiritual?” The seriousness of the divisions at Corinth is seen in the light of this understanding of the church. To engage in making divisions is to destroy the divine society and thus to invite God to destroy the sinner.

Discussion Questions
1. How can we avoid divisions in the church? Consider these recommendations:
A. Grow up spiritually (II Peter 3:18).
B. Be a disciple of Jesus and no other.
C. Determine that you want what He wants - unity of believers.
D. Pray for elders, deacons, teachers, ministers.
E. Be evangelistic. Forget about "us" and think about "them" (i.e., the lost).

2. Do you agree/disagree with the following concept? Why or why not?
Doctrinally, Christians must be in lock step. Practically speaking, is there room for diversity?

3. Have you ever been in a church that divided?
A. What caused it to happen?
B. Could it have been avoided? How?
C. Was it over doctrinal, practical or personal matters?
D. Who caused it? Preacher, Elders, teacher, others
E. What did you do?

Conclusion
The Scriptures do not give comfort or encouragement to professing Christians who manifest no evidence of spiritual life. Carnal Christians are “fleshly Christians,” believers in Jesus Christ whose thinking and actions are rooted in the flesh rather than in the Spirit. “Spiritual Christians” are those who mortify the flesh, and walk (albeit imperfectly) in accordance with the promptings and power of the Holy Spirit.

The two Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians deal with the fruits of carnality. Paul seeks to point his readers to “true spirituality.” Salvation is a radical change. It is not merely adding Christ to our life; it is not just “inviting Christ into our life.” Salvation is the change from death to life, from darkness to light. Salvation is accompanied by repentance, the turning away from all that we once depended upon for eternal life, from all that we once held precious as non-believers. Salvation turns one’s life, one’s values and thinking, upside-down and inside-out.

Prayer
"Thank you, Father for the precious unity of this body of believers. May it ever be so as we try to remember who we are, your humble servants, and who Jesus is, our Lord and Master. In His name, Amen!”

References
Gordon D. Fee, The First Epistle to the Corinthians, The New International Commentary,F. F. Bruce, General Editor. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1987.

Morris, Leon. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: 1 Corinthians. Grand Rapids:William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1990.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Wise. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1989.

-Charlie Davis

(Charlie Davis and his wife, Virginia, have been faithful servants in the Lord’s church for many years. Charlie has preached the gospel and served as a full-time missionary most of his adult life. He became Pleasant Valley’s first fully-supported missionary, serving in the Philippines and in Alaska, working primarily with military personnel. Charlie and Virginia had two sons, Bruce, who died in a tragic accident in 1975, and Phillip, who lives in Little Rock. They have lived in Little Rock since their retirement in 1992. )