Scripture Reading : 1 Corinthians 3
Theme : The Cure for Division
In the previous passage, Paul points out that the Corinthians were divided because of worldliness (i.e. their love for human wisdom). In this passage, he shows that they were also divided because of the flesh.
- Identifying the root of division (3:1-4). Division can only occur where there is selfishness. Fleshly, immature people cooperate only with those leaders and fellow believers whom they agree or are pleasing to them. As self-centeredness is at the heart of fleshly behaviour, jealously and strife are always found in an immature congregation.
- Prescribing the cure for division (3:5-17). The cure for division is turning away from self and setting our eyes on the one God whom we all glorify. All of God’s workers are one in Him and to Him all glory should go. However, God does not fail to recognize the faithful work of His servants (cf. Rev. 11:18). When Christ returns, every believer’s work will be tested by fire and receive reward corresponding to the quality of his building material.
- Administering the remedy for division (3:18-23). To gain and maintain unity in the church, believers must have the proper view of themselves, of others, of their possessions and of their Possessor. Firstly, a Christian must recognize that his own human wisdom is foolishness. Secondly, Christians should rejoice and profit in all faithful leaders God sends rather than giving honour to one over the other. Thirdly, not only are all godly leaders theirs, everything else from God is theirs as well (cf. Rom. 8:17, John 17:22). Finally, Christians need to turn our eyes unto Christ, the same Lord of all, and know that they are thus one with each other.
Praying the Scripture
- The Lord’s coming to reward His own was one of Paul’s greatest motivations (cf. Phil 3:13-14). He wanted the Lord’s highest reward because that would be the most pleasing to the Lord Himself and would most graphically demonstrate his grateful love. In speaking about believers’ rewards, Paul was not talking about our judging works or about God’s judging sin. The “judgment seat” before which all believers will one day stand (Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10) is the reward for good works. Every individual life that pleases God must be carefully built on the foundation of God’s kingdom which is Jesus Christ. Let’s pray that we will be careful in representing the Lord and His Word by what we say and do which is a reflection of the gospel.
- Ancient buildings were often built with precious metals and jewels. Similarly, whatever we build on the foundation of Jesus Christ, we build with the best of materials. The building materials mentioned in verse 12 are in two categories. The first category, gold, silver and precious stones, represents high quality materials (i.e. the greatest faithfulness, the most skillful and careful work done for the Lord) while the second category, wood, hay and straw, represents inferior materials. We build for the Lord and use the various materials for the Lord in three basic ways: by our motives, by our conduct and by our service. It is easy to fool ourselves into thinking that anything we do in the Lord’s name is in His service, but only believers who have the right motives, proper conduct and effective service build with gold, silver and precious stones. Let’s pray that we will seek for the greatest reward in our work with pure motives, holy conduct and selfless service.
经文：哥林多前书3
主题：治疗分歧的方案
在上一段经文中，保罗指出哥林多人之所以会有分歧，是因为他们爱世界（即对人类智慧的爱）。在这段经文中，他向我们显示他们也是因着肉体而起争执的。
- 辨明分歧的根源（3:1-4）。分裂与自私是无可分割的。不成熟的人在肉体中只愿跟随并服从他们认同或喜欢的领袖与信徒。属肉体的行为、嫉妒与纷争之根就是一颗自我中心的心，而这颗心在不成熟的信徒中一直都会存在。
- 针对分歧的治疗（3:5-17）。分歧的治疗方式就是将眼目从自己身上转向我们所荣耀的神。属神的人都在祂里面合而为一，所以所有荣耀都当归于祂。虽然如此，神是不会忽视祂仆人的忠实工作的（参：启11:18）。当基督再来时，每一个信徒的工作将经过火的试炼，而信徒将凭着他建筑材料的质地得到相应的奖赏。
- 为分歧施行治疗（3:18-23）。为在教会里取得并保持合一，信徒必须对自己、他人、他所拥有的，并拥有他的那一位有正确的观点。首先，基督徒必须意识到他自己的智慧是愚拙的。第二，基督徒当为凡神所差派的忠实领袖喜悦，向他们好好学习，而不是将尊荣只给予某一位。第三，每一位敬虔领袖不仅是他们的，凡从神而来的也属他们（罗8:17，约17:22）。最后，基督徒必须将眼目转向基督，即每个信徒的主，并晓得他们都是一体的。
用经文祷告
- 保罗其中一个最大的动力是主再来时将赏赐凡属祂的人（参：腓3:13-14）。他想得到主最大的赏赐，因为这对主自己是最大的喜悦，也最能表示出保罗感恩之爱。论到信徒的赏赐时，保罗指的不是神对罪的审判，或我们对工作的评判。信徒某日都将站立的台前（罗14:10；林后5:10），是为奖赏善行而立的。每一个讨神喜悦的生命必要建立在神国度的根基上，即耶稣基督。让我们祷告我们在代表主与祂的道时要当心，因为我们的话及行为反映的是福音。
- 古代建筑常用珍贵的金属和宝石搭建。同样的，每当我们在耶稣基督的根基上建造时，我们也要用最好的材料。第12节所提到的建造材料可分为两类。第一类是金、银与宝石，而这代表最高质地的材料（即对主最大的忠诚，为主做成最好、最仔细的工作）；第二类则是草、木及禾秸，代表了质地较差的材料。我们是以三种方式为主建造并用各种材料的：藉着动机、行为与服侍。我们容易自欺，以为凡奉主名而行的就是服侍主，但唯有怀正确动机、得体行为与有效服侍的信徒才是用金、银及宝石建造工程的。让我们祷告我们会在工作中以纯洁的动机、圣洁的行为及无私的事奉寻求最大的赏赐。
