PAUL WRITES A LETTER from his prison cell in Ephesus to the Corinthian church in 56 or 57 A.D. Paul is very mature in his theology by this time. It wasn’t a great leap intellectually or rationally that Paul had to make when he became a Christ-follower, but it was a revolutionary shift in his understanding of the O.T., and a true paradigm shift in his beliefs and therefore his own identity. His Damascus Road conversion (cf. Acts 9:3-17) was probably around 36 A.D., so this letter is the product of two decades of evolving and solidified belief and thought.
This well-formed version of Paul rests on the bedrock of his very significant training as a rabbi and—quite likely—a member of the Sanhedrin. Paul himself addresses the fact that he studied under Gamaliel, one of the pre-eminent Judaic scholars of the time. “Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers.” (Acts 22:3) When Paul says, “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder” (1 Cor. 3:10a), he is stating both his bona fides as well as objective fact. He needs to, because his letter to the church is in many ways a disciplinary letter, and he has strong words of correction for them. Someone else has been building on the foundation he laid when he started the church some six or seven years earlier, and their spiritual workmanship is in question. It may be that the grace of God in Christ through faith has been adulterated by a works theology, and/or sin issues, of which many are alluded to elsewhere in this same letter. Paul warns, “But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 3:10b-11)
Paul explains that the spiritual condition of anyone who claims to follow Christ will be tested. The results of the test will be revealed not so much in this life, but the life to come. “If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.” (1 Cor. 3:12)
The “Day,” is, of course, Judgment Day. Paul uses the image that he constructed in the metaphor of ‘gold, silver, costly stones’ versus ‘wood, hay or straw,’ each of which has predictable outcomes when subjected to fire. The analogy is to the development of the Spirit given in new birth through Christ, and his following statement refers both to the inconsistencies of everyone in relationship to perfection, and at the same time the absolute reliability of the grace of God in Jesus. “If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Cor. 3:14)
These are exceedingly stark challenges to the people of the Corinthian church; they are also perennial warnings to Christians across the ages. “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Cor. 3:16-17)
Warning made; lesson learned? Paul would write at least two more letters to the Corinthian church, one of which is lost in time, so perhaps not; at least, not right away. Corinth was a bustling city; a major seaport and a center of higher culture. There is a hint that another aspect of Paul’s warnings had to do with his—and the Apostle John’s—battles against the heresy of Gnosticism, which was an intellectual and prideful claim to a supposed higher knowledge of spirituality. Paul warns, “Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a ‘fool.’ The wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. ‘The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.’ So then, no more boasting about men!” (1 Cor. 3:18-21a)
It is not only this issue that is troublesome for Paul. There was an immediately earlier comparison to what now develops. Additionally, Paul is a wise minister, a doctor of souls; he knows not to beat people down relentlessly; he offers a pathway of reason and comfort through the confusing issues that are knit awkwardly together in the current troubles of the church. “All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” (1 Cor. 3:21b-23)
How often it is in our complex days and ways that we must exercise similar care in the strong opinions we share with others. Such thoughts are laden with danger for the unskilled tongue or, shall we say somewhat metaphorically, pen. Words, once released into open and directed thought, may land very heavily in another person’s life circumstances. Such words need be carefully chosen, and used seldom, and only appropriate to the need. Proverbs offers a fine balance. Consider, first, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love.” (Pro. 27:5) Second, reflect upon, “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (Pro. 25:11) The N.T. adds, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” (Jam. 1:19-20)
Father, give us your wisdom and direction in all that we think, and say, and do; may our thoughts be your thoughts before our mouths open to speak. May our works withstand with honor the Day of Fire.
Q. How carefully do I think before speaking?
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