"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                             Chapter Three

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To see the proper place of preachers and teachers in relation to
   their work

2) To appreciate God's view of the church as the temple of God

SUMMARY

Paul continues to deal with the problem of division in this chapter.
Its seriousness is seen in its carnality, which prevented Paul from
being able to speak as to spiritually mature people (1-4).   To help
them see the folly of exalting preachers over one another, Paul shows
their relation to one another and to their work, which is building the
temple of God (5-17).  To the warning not to defile the temple of God,
Paul adds another not to glory in the wisdom of this world nor in men
(18-23).

OUTLINE

I. THE CARNAL NATURE OF DIVISION (1-4)

   A. CARNAL CHRISTIANS AT CORINTH (1-2)
      1. Prevented Paul from speaking to them as to spiritual people
         (1a)
      2. Their carnality indicated that they were still babes in
         Christ, unable to receive solid food (1b-2)

   B. EVIDENCE OF THEIR CARNALITY (3-4)
      1. The envy, strife, and divisions among them (3)
      2. Expressed in their calling themselves after men (4)

II. RELATION OF PREACHERS TO THEIR WORK (5-17)

   A. PREACHERS ARE SERVANTS, USED BY GOD (5-7)
      1. Ministers given the opportunity to serve God in various ways
         (5-6a)
      2. But it is God who gives the increase (6b-7)

   B. THEIR RELATION TO ONE ANOTHER AND THEIR WORK (8-17)
      1. United in their  work, though their labor and rewards may
         differ (8)
      2. Fellow workers with God, they work on God's building (9)
         a. Laying the foundation (as Paul did) of Jesus Christ (10-11)
         b. Building upon the foundation, using various materials to be
            tested at the last Day (12-15)
      3. A strong warning, since this building is the temple of God and
         indwelt by the Spirit (16-17)

III. AVOID GLORYING IN WORLDLY WISDOM OR MEN (18-23)

   A. REASONS NOT TO GLORY IN WORLDLY WISDOM (18-20)
      1. You will only deceive yourself (18)
      2. The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God (19-20)

   B. REASONS NOT TO GLORY IN MEN (21-23)
      1. All things (including men) are yours (21-22)
      2. You are Christ's, and Christ is God's (23)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
Move your mouse pointer underneath each question to see the answer.

1) List the main points of this chapter.





2) What prevented Paul from speaking to the Corinthians as unto
   spiritual people? (1-3)



3) What manifested their carnality? (3-4)




4) Who is more important, he that plants, or the one that waters?
   (6-7)



5) Upon what foundation is the church built? (11)



6) When will the work of ministers be fully made manifest? (13)



7) If those converted by preachers are lost, will the preachers be
   lost? (14-15)



8) What sort of building is the church? (16)



9) What is the wisdom of this world to God? (19)



10) Why should we not glory in men? (21-22)



11) And to whom do we belong? (23)