1 Corinthians 3

1 Corinthians 3:1

Could not speak unto you] Having declared the worthinesse of heavenly wisdome and of the Gospel, and having generally condemned the blindnesse of mans mind, he now particularly applyeth himself to the Corinthians, calling them carnall, that is, such in whom the flesh prevaileth against the spirit, and he bringeth a double proofe thereof. First, from his dealing with them, no other wayes then with ignorant men, and such as were almost babes in the doctrin of godlinesse: Secondly, from those dissentions which sprung up among them, by reason of the ignorance of the vertue of the Spirit and heavenly wisdom, in which they had profited very little or nothing.

as unto carnall] He calleth them carnall, who yet had received the first fruits of the Spirit, in three regards. First, because the flesh in them lusted against the spirit. Secondly, because in many things they followed the desires of the flesh. Thirdly, because they savoured the things of the flesh, not perceiving, or at least, not relishing many things of the Spirit, as being but novices in the Schoole of Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:2

fed you with milk] Hebrews 5:12. That is, saith Clem. Alex. Paedagog. l. 1. c. 6. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. I have catechized you in Christ with simple, true and nourishing food, wholsome and easie of digesture. For such is milk to children. And to this charitie of the Apostle in condescending to the capacitie of his hearers, and feeding them which were sucklings in Christ, with the sincere milk of the Word, S. Ambrose Serm. 68. & S. Chrysostome Serm. in principes Apostolos, allude in descanting upon the miracle wrought at his death and martyrdome, at which when he was beheaded some of the ancient affirme, lac pro sanguine manasse, that milk issued in stead of blood.

1 Corinthians 3:3

divisions] Or, factions.

walk as men] Gr. according to man. By the square and compasse of mans wit and judgement, as men use to walke, who are meere men and destitute of the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 3:5

Who then is Paul] After he had sufficiently reprehended ambitious teachers, and their foolish esteemers, now he sheweth how the true Ministers are to be esteemed, that we attribute not to them more or lesse then we ought to do, therefore he teacheth us that they are they, by whom we are called to faith and salvation, but yet as the Ministers of God, and such as do nothing of themselves, but God so working by them as it pleaseth him to furnish them with his gifts; therefore we have not to marke or consider so much what Minister he is, that speaketh, but what is spoken, and we must depend only upon God who speaketh by his servants.

1 Corinthians 3:6

I have planted, &c.] That is, saith Optatus Milevitanus, I have made you Christians of Pagans, and Apollo hath baptized you: or, I have laid the first foundations of Christianitie among you, but Apollo and others have confirmed you in that doctrine and built you up in your most holy faith.

but God gave the increase] S. Austine against Petillian, truly observeth, that in naturall fruits God giveth the increase not without the power of nature, which doth her part, sed in spiritualibus & gratuitis solus Deus dat incrementum, God alone gives the increase, cum exclusione cujuscun(que causae creatae,) nature contributing nothing of her self thereunto: and therefore in respect of the supernaturall effect of the preaching of the Gospel, to wit, faith and repentance, he that planteth, and he that watereth is as nothing, though God use their labour therein, or, is nothing in comparison.

1 Corinthians 3:7

So then] Or, wherefore.

1 Corinthians 3:8

are one] That is, they are both nothing, but servants and Ministers, and that of the same Master, proposing unto themselves one and the self same mark; to wit, your growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ: and sith they are thus one, you ought not for them or concerning them to be divided as you are into factions.

and every man shall receive his own reward] Psalms 62:12. Galatians 6:5.

own labour] Or, proper.

1 Corinthians 3:9

labourers together with God] Serving together under him: now they that serve under another do nothing of their own strength, but as it is given them of grace, which grace fitteth them for that service, and all the increase that cometh by their labour, doth so proceed from God that no part of the praise of it may be given to the under servants.

husbandry] Or, Gods labourers together.

1 Corinthians 3:10

But let every man take heed, &c.] Now he speaketh to the Teachers themselves which succeed him in the Church of Corinth, and in their persons, to all that were after or shall be Pastors of congregations, seeing that they succeed into the labours of the Apostles, which were planters and chief builders, therefore he warneth them, that they perswade not themselves that they may build after their own fancie, that is, that they may propound and set forth any thing in the Church, either in matter or kinde of teaching different from the Apostles which were chief builders.

1 Corinthians 3:12

if any man build upon this foundation gold, &c.] They who build after the Apostles upon the foundation which they have laid, to wit, Christ Jesus, must take heed that the upper part of their building be answerable to the foundation, that is, that admonitions, exhortations, and whatsoever pertaineth to the edifying of the flock, be answerable to the doctrine of Christ, as well in the matter as in forme. And here by gold, silver, and precious stones, he meaneth pure and solide doctrine; of which matter Esay also and John in the Revelation, build the heavenly citie: and to these are opposite, wood, hay, and stubble, that is, vain and curious subtilties or philosophicall conceits, and all kinde of teaching which serveth to ostntation, and not to edification, 1 Timothy 1:4. By this he taxeth them among the Corinthians, who mingled in the preaching of the Word, the tearmes of humane Arts, the vain flourishes of Oratours, and argute reasons of Sophisters, which though they subvert not the foundation, nor falsifie the substance of the Gospel, yet they disfigure and disgrace it.

1 Corinthians 3:13

shall be revealed] Gr. is revealed.

by fire] Gr. in fire.

and the fire shall try every mans work] By the fire, is not meant, as the Romish Divines teach, fire of Purgatory. First, because it cannot be proved out of Scripture, that there is any such purgatory fire as they imagine, to purge those that die with veruall sinnes. Secondly, because every work is tryed by the fir here meant, but according to the Romish doctrin good works are not tryed in purgatory fire. Thirdly, the works here meant (as appeareth by the antecedent and consequents) are doctrins, and severall kinds of preaching, which it would be absurd to say, that they should be tried with materiall fire, wherewith our Adversaries beleeve, that those who die with veniall sinnes are tormented in their purgatory. But by fire, either we are to understand (according to the Interpretation of S. Austin and others of the Ancients) the fire of persecutions, tribulations, and temptations, whereby the sound doctrin is tryed and proved, as it were affording then to us most strong and solid comforts and consolations which no other is able to do: Or the fire of the holy Ghost, who by the light of Gods word doth manifest the veritie or vanitie of doctrines delivered by the Preachers, and like unto fire, reduceth and bringeth to nothing like hay and stubble, whatsoever is foisted in by humane invention.

For though such doctrin be not tainted with Heresie, yet because blinded with vanitie, it is no better then hay and stubble. Or by fire is meant the appearing of Christ at the day of judgement, likened to fire for two qualities, brightnesse and a consuming force.

1 Corinthians 3:14

If any mans work abide] As the good metall in the furnace, without being consumed after the manner of drosse or any other combustible matter.

1 Corinthians 3:15

If any mans work shall be burnt, he shall suffer losse] That is, If any mans doctrin or teaching will not endure the tryall, as hay, and stubble, and drosse will not the fire, he shall lose the praise of his labour, which shall not be accepted nor rewarded by God. Notwithstanding for his own person (if he have held firme the foundation, either mysticall, which is Christ in respect of the faithfull, who being many living stones make one house, built upon him; or doctrinall, in respect of the doctrin and faith, whereby they are joyned together and built upon him) he shall be saved.

yet so, as by fire] Because he shall passe by the fire, that is, the revealing brightnesse of Christ, or the fire of the Spirit, which shall shew the vanitie of his work: or he shal be saved as through fire, through the which when the gold passeth, whatsoever drosse it hath, it must suffer losse of it. Or, he shall passe as through fire (i. e.) it shall be requisite that he be purified by the holy Ghost of that mixture and impuritie of worldlinesse and mans wisdome, of words wherewith he hath defiled both himself and his ministery: Or else he shall be saved in such a manner as one that escapeth naked out of the fire without carrying away or saving any of his goods, his person may well be saved, but so as he shall lose the reward of a well qualified Minister and faithfull dispenser of the mysteries of God.

1 Corinthians 3:16

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God] See Chap. 6. 19. 2 Corinthians 6:16.

1 Corinthians 3:17

defile] Or, destroy.

1 Corinthians 3:18

let him become a fool, that he may be wise] Let him deny himself and his carnall wisdome, and submit himself to the doctrin of the Gospel, which the world accounts foolishnesse.

1 Corinthians 3:19

For the wisdome of this world is foolishnesse] God convinceth it by his Word to be foolish and vain, because it performeth not that which it promiseth, nor any way furthereth us to true happinesse.

He taketh the wise in their own craftinesse] See Job 5:13. Or, catcheth.

1 Corinthians 3:20

The Lord knoweth the thoughts, &c.] See Psalms 94:11. Or, discourses.

1 Corinthians 3:21

for all things are yours] No man glorieth in these things which are for himself, and appointed for his benefit, because in this regard they are inferiour to himself; but all things are for you, and your benefit, who are the elect of God, therefore you ought not to glory in your teachers or in any men.