Chapter 3:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Romans 2 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 3
Concise Complete
The Corinthians reproved for their contentions.
(1-4) The true servants of Christ can do nothing without him. (5-9) He is the
only foundation, and every one should take heed what he builds thereon. (10-15)
The churches of Christ ought to be kept pure, and to be humble. (16,17) And they
should not glory in men, because ministers and all things else are theirs
through Christ. (18-23)
Verses 1-4
The most simple truths of the gospel, as to man's sinfulness and God's mercy,
repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, stated in the
plainest language, suit the people better than deeper mysteries. Men may have
much doctrinal knowledge, yet be mere beginners in the life of faith and
experience. Contentions and quarrels about religion are sad evidences of
carnality. True religion makes men peaceable, not contentious. But it is to be
lamented, that many who should walk as Christians, live and act too much like
other men. Many professors, and preachers also, show themselves to be yet
carnal, by vain-glorious strife, eagerness for dispute, and readiness to despise
and speak evil of others.
Verses 5-9
The ministers about whom the Corinthians contended, were only instruments used
by God. We should not put ministers into the place of God. He that planteth and
he that watereth are one, employed by one Master, trusted with the same
revelation, busied in one work, and engaged in one design. They have their
different gifts from one and the same Spirit, for the very same purposes; and
should carry on the same design heartily. Those who work hardest shall fare
best. Those who are most faithful shall have the greatest reward. They work
together with God, in promoting the purposes of his glory, and the salvation of
precious souls; and He who knows their work, will take care they do not labour
in vain. They are employed in his husbandry and building; and He will carefully
look over them.
Verses
10-15 The apostle was a wise master-builder; but the grace of God made him
such. Spiritual pride is abominable; it is using the greatest favours of God, to
feed our own vanity, and make idols of ourselves. But let every man take heed;
there may be bad building on a good foundation. Nothing must be laid upon it,
but what the foundation will bear, and what is of a piece with it. Let us not
dare to join a merely human or a carnal life with a Divine faith, the corruption
of sin with the profession of Christianity. Christ is a firm, abiding, and
immovable Rock of ages, every way able to bear all the weight that God himself
or the sinner can lay upon him; neither is there salvation in any other. Leave
out the doctrine of his atonement, and there is no foundation for our hopes. But
of those who rest on this foundation, there are two sorts. Some hold nothing but
the truth as it is in Jesus, and preach nothing else. Others build on the good
foundation what will not abide the test, when the day of trail comes. We may be
mistaken in ourselves and others; but there is a day coming that will show our
actions in the true light, without covering or disguise. Those who spread true
and pure religion in all its branches, and whose work will abide in the great
day, shall receive a reward. And how great! how much exceeding their deserts!
There are others, whose corrupt opinions and doctrines, or vain inventions and
usages in the worship of God, shall be made known, disowned, and rejected, in
that day. This is plainly meant of a figurative fire, not of a real one; for
what real fire can consume religious rites or doctrines? And it is to try every
man's works, those of Paul and Apollos, as well as others. Let us consider the
tendency of our undertakings, compare them with God's word, and judge ourselves,
that we be not judged of the Lord.
Verses
16-17 From other parts of the epistle, it appears that the false teachers
among the Corinthians taught unholy doctrines. Such teaching tended to corrupt,
to pollute, and destroy the building, which should be kept pure and holy for
God. Those who spread loose principles, which render the church of God unholy,
bring destruction upon themselves. Christ by his Spirit dwells in all true
believers. Christians are holy by profession, and should be pure and clean, both
in heart and conversation. He is deceived who deems himself the temple of the
Holy Ghost, yet is unconcerned about personal holiness, or the peace and purity
of the church.
Verses
18-23 To have a high opinion of our own wisdom, is but to flatter ourselves;
and self-flattery is the next step to self-deceit. The wisdom that wordly men
esteem, is foolishness with God. How justly does he despise, and how easily can
he baffle and confound it! The thoughts of the wisest men in the world, have
vanity, weakness, and folly in them. All this should teach us to be humble, and
make us willing to be taught of God, so as not to be led away, by pretences to
human wisdom and skill, from the simple truths revealed by Christ. Mankind are
very apt to oppose the design of the mercies of God. Observe the spiritual
riches of a true believer; "All are yours," even ministers and ordinances. Nay,
the world itself is yours. Saints have as much of it as Infinite Wisdom sees fit
for them, and they have it with the Divine blessing. Life is yours, that you may
have a season and opportunity to prepare for the life of heaven; and death is
yours, that you may go to the possession of it. It is the kind messenger to take
you from sin and sorrow, and to guide you to your Father's house. Things present
are yours, for your support on the road; things to come are yours, to delight
you for ever at your journey's end. If we belong to Christ, and are true to him,
all good belongs to us, and is sure to us. Believers are the subjects of his
kingdom. He is Lord over us, we must own his dominion, and cheerfully submit to
his command. God in Christ, reconciling a sinful world to himself, and pouring
the riches of his grace on a reconciled world, is the sum and substance of the
gospel.
Chapter 3:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Romans 2 Corinthians
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
