1 Corinthians 3:1–11

Verse 3. And walk according to man? As carnal and sensual men, as long as there are jealousies and divisions among you. Witham.

Verse 7–8. That planteth you by your first conversion. Apollo watered you by preaching the same truths.—He that planteth and watered, are one, aim at one and the same end. Witham.—According to his own labour. God does not recompense his servants according to the success of their labours, because their success depends upon him alone; but he recompenses them according to their sufferings and diligence in his service; for, whilst he crowns the labour of his apostles with success, he crowns his own work. Saint John Chrysostom—This text most evidently proves that good works proceeding from grace are meritorious, and that the rewards in heaven are different, according as God sees just to appropriate them. The Greek word here employed is μισθος, (merces) or wages. See 1 Timothy 5:18. Revelation 22:12. Matthew 16:27. It is by our union with Jesus Christ that our actions, of themselves without value or merit, become gold, silver, and precious stones. A.

Verse 7–8. That planteth you by your first conversion. Apollo watered you by preaching the same truths.—He that planteth and watered, are one, aim at one and the same end. Witham.—According to his own labour. God does not recompense his servants according to the success of their labours, because their success depends upon him alone; but he recompenses them according to their sufferings and diligence in his service; for, whilst he crowns the labour of his apostles with success, he crowns his own work. Saint John Chrysostom—This text most evidently proves that good works proceeding from grace are meritorious, and that the rewards in heaven are different, according as God sees just to appropriate them. The Greek word here employed is μισθος, (merces) or wages. See 1 Timothy 5:18. Revelation 22:12. Matthew 16:27. It is by our union with Jesus Christ that our actions, of themselves without value or merit, become gold, silver, and precious stones. A.

Verse 9. We are God’s coadjutors, labouring in his service, as he hath employed us.—You are God’s husbandry, the soil, where virtues are to be planted. You are God’s building, the edifice, the house, or even the temple of God; we are employed as builders under God. Witham.

Verse 10. I have laid the foundation well, as a wise architect, not of myself, but according to the grace of God, and the gifts he bestowed upon me: and another, or several others, build upon it, continue the building.—But let every man take heed how he buildeth, and that it be always upon the same foundation, which is Christ Jesus, his faith, and his doctrine. Witham.