1 Corinthians - Division, Gifts, Marriage, Love, & Resurrection
Session 4 – Sectarianism is Carnal
(1 Corinthians 3:1-11)

What happens in Corinth…stays in Corinth!

It was an ancient day “Hollywood, Las Vegas, and New York” with all the immorality and debauchery of today.

Map of Greece / Asia Minor (Modern day Turkey):
Corinth
Olympia
Athens
Thessalonica
Philippi
Ephesus
Smyrna
Pergamos
Sardis
Laodicea

(Halley’s Bible Handbook)
Corinth lies 56 miles west of Athens, on the narrow strip of land (isthmus) between the Peloponnesus and the Greek mainland. Ever since the Golden Age of Greece, Athens had been the leading cultural center, but under Roman rule, Corinth had been made the capital of the Roman province called Achaia (which also included Athens) and was the most important city in the country. Land traffic between the north and south had to pass the city, and much of the commerce between Rome and the East was brought to its harbors.

In Roman times Corinth was a city of wealth, luxury, and immorality – with a growing population that reached more than 300,000 free citizens and 460,000 slaves in the 2nd century A.D. The theater in Paul’s day seated 14,000 spectators. In the past, more than 1,000 hierodouloi – temple prostitutes – had been active in pagan worship rites, but these practices probably had ceased by Paul’s time, although the memory of that era was still fresh. “To live like a Corinthian” meant to live a life of sexual immorality and drunkenness. The Isthmian games, held every two years, made Corinth a great center of Hellenic life. (The Olympian Games were held every four years at Olympia, some 100 miles west of Corinth).

Paul visited Corinth for the first time on his second missionary journey (Acts 18). He became acquainted with Aquila and Priscilla, fellow Christians and, like himself, tentmakers. During his stay of 1 ½ years he lived at their home. Paul later wrote two New Testament letters to that church and at least two other letters, now lost (1 Cor 5:9) and the severe letter (2 Cor 7:8). Paul also wrote the letter to the Romans while in Corinth (Romans 16:23).

(Chuck Missler – 1&2 Corinthians Commentary 1995)
Occasion of 1 Corinthians
Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthian church, a letter which apparently perished (1 Cor 5:9). (Some scholars believe it is preserved as 2 Cor 6:14-7:1.) This letter had been misunderstood (1 Cor 5:9-10) and Paul mentions it to clear up a misconception. [Remember: The chapters were not divided up until the 13th century; the verses not until the 16th.] The household of Chloe brought him news of cliques in the church (1 Cor 1:11) and the church wrote him a letter (re: 1 Cor 7:1), presumably brought to Ephesus by Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus (1 Cor 16:17) who probably added their own comments. The situation was serious. Paul responded with the letter we know as 1 Corinthians.

The “Painful visit”
The situation worsened. Paul felt it necessary to leave his work in Ephesus and pay a hurried visit in the attempt to set things right. (This visit is implied in passages in 2 Corinthians, which speak of Paul as being ready to pay a third visit to Corinth (2 Cor 12:14; 13:1; his second visit is past, 13:2).

His references to “coming again in sorrow” (2 Cor 2:1) indicate that this visit had been an unpleasant one. It failed to clear up the situation and Paul went away profoundly disturbed.

The “Severe Letter”
Paul determined to write another letter, obviously very severe in tone, and it cost him much to write (2 Cor 2:4; 7:8). Had it not been successful it might conceivably have meant a final rupture between Paul and this church he had founded. This letter seems to have been lost. (Many scholars feel part of it is preserved in 2 Cor 10-13.) The letter was apparently taken by Titus, who was to return via Macedonia and Troas. Paul was impatient to know how it had been received. When he eventually catches up to Titus, he learns that all is well (2 Cor 2:12-17; 7:5-7, 13). Out of his great relief and joy, Paul wrote the letter we call 2 Corinthians. Almost certainly he visited the church soon afterwards.

Three Visits:
1) When church was founded;
2) The “painful” visit;
3) A visit after 2 Corinthians had been sent.

Four letters:
1) The “Previous Letter”;
2) 1 Corinthians;
3) The “Severe Letter”;
4) 2 Corinthians.

Authorship
There is no doubt that Paul is the author. He is cited as the author in 1 Clement 47:1, a first century letter, and freely quoted by Ignatius and Polycarp; plus subsequent frequent references.
The church at Corinth is the “carnal church.” Spiritual babes, immature and undeveloped spiritually. Unseparated from the world. They have only a minimum of doctrine; what they have is mostly practical, conduct-related.

Paul addresses the following:

Discipline, Chapter 5;
Going to Law, Chapter 6;
Marriage and Divorce, Chapter 7;
Christian Liberty, Chapters 8, 9, 10;
Lord’s Table, Chapter 11;
Tongues, Chapters 12-14;
Resurrection, Chapter 15.

Contrast:
1) Exciting speech of men vs. the Spirit filled preaching of Paul.
2) Wisdom of the world vs. the wisdom of God.
3) The spirit of the world vs. the Spirit of God.
4) The natural man vs. the spiritual man.

READ (All) 1 Corinthians 3:1-11
Starting in chapter 2 verse 14, Paul begins to separate people into three classifications. First, the natural man, the unregenerate man, the man who knows not Jesus Christ. Satan has blinded this person to the truth of God. Second is the spiritual man. When a person is born again by the Spirit of God he becomes spirit, soul, and body; but before that you were dead. (Walking dead Ephesians 2:1-5).
Now we get to the third classification of the carnal Christian.

1) (1 Corinthians 3:1) Paul confronts their condition.

[1] And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.

a) And I, brethren…babes in Christ: There are only two categories of Christians in the Scriptures:
i) Those born once that die twice.
ii) Those born twice that die once.
b) Carnal: still controlled by the old nature; failure to make progress in spiritual growth.
i) What are some of the things we can do to mature as a Christian?
c) Could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal: Paul is speaking to Christians:
i) They are sanctified in Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:2 (NKJV), “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.”
ii) They received the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:13 (NKJV), “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing the spiritual things with the spiritual [person].”
iii) They are called brothers.
1 Corinthians 3:1 (NKJV), “And I, brethren…”

iv) Why am I going through this? There is a debate as to if there can be such a thing as a “carnal Christian.” Some say that they are not Christians.
(Redpath) Romans 7 is a portrait of the carnal Christian; indwelt by the Spirit, but mastered by the flesh.

d) Spiritual… carnal: This speaks of someone who can and should do differently but does not.
i) Which one are you? (Natural, Spiritual, or Carnal person)

2) (1 Corinthians 3:2) How Paul treated carnal believers.

[2] I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able.

a) With milk and not with solid food: The carnal man can only receive milk (simple truth). Like a baby, someone has to pamper him, continually counsel him and constantly explain things to him. The carnal man does not know what it means to open the Word, seek the Lord, and walk minute by minute with Jesus (breathe in/breathe out).
Hebrews 5:10-14 (NKJV), “Called by God as High Priest ‘according to the order of Melchizedek,’ of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to bet4achers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
b) You were not able to receive it: This is a simple way to evaluate whether you are carnal or not. How is your appetite? Do you crave the meat of the Word, or are you still comfortable with the milk?
c) How is your appetite for the Word of God? Do you feel like you are missing something when you miss your daily quiet time?

3) (1 Corinthians 3:3-4) Evidence of their carnality.

[3-4] For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?

a) For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal: An evidence of carnality and immaturity is the level of division that exists in a Christians life.
b) Envy: a feeling of discontentment or resentfulness toward someone else’s stuff, qualities, or influence. “I want what they have.” Jealousy: insecurity, fear, and concern over a lack of possessions. “I don’t want them to have what they have.”
c) Strife: is the expression of actively being opposed or hostile toward someone or something.
d) Divisions: a standing apart.
Romans 16:17 (NKJV), “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”

e) Are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? They are “like mere men” (that is, not saved). Christians are called to a higher living and are not to be like the rest of humanity. Remaining worldly is not an option for a Christian.

“Envy always wants something else, which leads to strife – always finding something wrong, which leads to division – always looking for something new.” (Courson)
i) What are some areas of your life that you exhibit either envy, strife, or division?

f) When one says, “I am of Paul,” … are you not carnal? We would know that we are a carnal ministry if we have factions, cliques, and fighting in our community.

4) (1 Corinthians 3:5-7) The foolishness of exalting church leaders.

[5-7] Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

a) Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos? They are only the instruments that God used to bring people to faith.
b) Paul and Apollos are not the ones you believed on for salvation; they only brought Jesus to you. They are through whom you believed, not on whom you believed.

i) “So what was the use of fighting which of two nothings was the greater?” (Maclaren)

c) I planted, Apollos watered: “Why are you trying to splinter apart?” Paul asks the Corinthian Christians. “We are one, we just have different parts to play.”
i) When a farmer plants a seed, and waters it, he really does not make it grow. The miracle of life does that. All the farmer can do is provide the right environment for growth, and trust in the miracle of life. We do the same thing in ministering Jesus to other people.

ii) How can you prevent divisions in your community?

5) (1 Corinthians 3:8-9) Christian workers work together, but are rewarded according to their own labor.

[8-9] Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

a) Each one will receive his own reward: So, Paul will receive his reward for planting and Apollos will receive his reward for watering. God rewards us for what we do, not for the results of the work, because the results belong to God.
i) How can you plant or water into mission field of your community?

b) We are God’s fellow workers: God gives us the amazing opportunity to work with Him. We cannot work without Him, and He will not work without us (generally speaking). God wants you as His working partner.

i) When you consider all the ways God could have done His work, it is even more amazing to know He wants our participation.
ii) How do you feel about God wanting you to participate with Him in the work of the Gospel?
6) (1 Corinthians 3:10-11) The church as a building.

[10-11] According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

a) According to the grace of God: Paul knew that he did not deserve or merit being a worker for the Lord. It is by God’s undeserved favor that he was being used by Him.

b) I have laid the foundation: When Paul founded the church in Corinth (Acts 18), he set the only foundation that can be laid - the person and work of Jesus Christ. Yet he knew that others would come after him and build on the foundation he set.

c) But let each one take heed how he builds on it: We need to be careful to build the ministry on the foundation of the finished work of Jesus Christ. When we try to mix human wisdom, performance worship, and fleshly attractions then we have missed the mark.

i) How often to you begin sharing about your experience’s verses sharing about Jesus?