What does 1 Cor. 3:10-15 mean?

[reneweddaybyday]

1 Cor. 3:10-15 is not about preaching the word, except as it falls into the category of works.

I responded to a statement you made in Post #94:

"That is what the verses say, no mention of preaching or teaching."​

As I stated in Post #99:

"Personally, I never really thought about whether the "work" which will be revealed by fire consists only of preaching/teaching, or whether it includes all "work" we do. I leave that stuff up to God. I trust Him and His judgment. Not saying that it's not a good thing to consider ... just that I never really considered it."​

 

[Runningman]

I'm starting to kinda get the impression 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 is talking about how we'll be changed. The bad works will be removed and the good works will remain. We'll be better than before.

 

[CS1]

What is this passage talking about exactly? Does this process involve literal fire or is this figurative language?

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (KJV)
10According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Our faith is to be built on the Chief Corner Stone that of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul was given great revelation yet, HE is saying HE too still must be careful to build on Christ who is the solid foundation and the Only Truth. Paul is saying do not look at him but to Christ and if what I say has taken away from that truth, it will not stand.

 

[BillG]

I'm starting to kinda get the impression 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 is talking about how we'll be changed. The bad works will be removed and the good works will remain. We'll be better than before.

I can see what you are saying but I cannot see what you are saying in the verses in 1 Corinthians 3.

With regards to being changed where bad works are removed and good works will remain I see this as sanctification.

I suppose it comes down to the "works" in Corinthians and what those works are.

Are the works in Corinthians works of the fruit of the Holy Spirit?

Or are they what we tell/preach/teach based on the foundation that Paul talks about.

We see Paul introduced the gospel given to by Jeus to preach to the gentiles.
So he has laid a foundation that is basically the starting point.
What is the starting point?
Paul states this in other letters he wrote.
Saved by faith, through grace (just like he was)
In Romans

Romans 10:8-13
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Is this the foundation Paul is talking about in Corinthians?

If so then is Paul stating "Be careful not add more to that?

Paul cannot call the Corinthian Christians ''spiritual'' people. Though they are in Christ, they continue to live to the flesh. They are spiritual infants, not ready for solid food. Divisions among them prove they are still serving themselves, picking sides in a senseless debate between Christian teachers. Paul insists that both he and Apollos are mere servants of the Lord and co-workers. They are not in competition. Those who lead the Corinthians must build carefully because their work will be tested on the day of the Lord. Christian leaders who build the church will have their work judged by Christ to see if they have built on the foundation of Christ. All human wisdom will be shown to be futile and worthless. (bibleref.com)

The reason I think it's based on teaching over and above this is because Paul in other letters talks about walking according the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Also

James 3:1

The Untamable Tongue
1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

Is this what Paul is talking about also?
He calls them brothers.

 

[CS1]

I can see what you are saying but I cannot see what you are saying in the verses in 1 Corinthians 3.

With regards to being changed where bad works are removed and good works will remain I see this as sanctification.

I suppose it comes down to the "works" in Corinthians and what those works are.

Are the works in Corinthians works of the fruit of the Holy Spirit?

Or are they what we tell/preach/teach based on the foundation that Paul talks about.

We see Paul introduced the gospel given to by Jeus to preach to the gentiles.
So he has laid a foundation that is basically the starting point.
What is the starting point?
Paul states this in other letters he wrote.
Saved by faith, through grace (just like he was)
In Romans

Romans 10:8-13
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Is this the foundation Paul is talking about in Corinthians?

If so then is Paul stating "Be careful not add more to that?

Paul cannot call the Corinthian Christians ''spiritual'' people. Though they are in Christ, they continue to live to the flesh. They are spiritual infants, not ready for solid food. Divisions among them prove they are still serving themselves, picking sides in a senseless debate between Christian teachers. Paul insists that both he and Apollos are mere servants of the Lord and co-workers. They are not in competition. Those who lead the Corinthians must build carefully because their work will be tested on the day of the Lord. Christian leaders who build the church will have their work judged by Christ to see if they have built on the foundation of Christ. All human wisdom will be shown to be futile and worthless. (bibleref.com)

The reason I think it's based on teaching over and above this is because Paul in other letters talks about walking according the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Also

James 3:1

The Untamable Tongue
1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

Is this what Paul is talking about also?
He calls them brothers.

interesting

 

[Blik]

I'm starting to kinda get the impression 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 is talking about how we'll be changed. The bad works will be removed and the good works will remain. We'll be better than before.

Scripture tells us we will be judged, if God was telling us we will be changed then these verses would say so.

Other verses in Revelation tell us there will be a new Jerusalem, our world will change. That is what the feast of Tabernacles is all about.

 

[Blik]

I suppose it comes down to the "works" in Corinthians and what those works are.

Are the works in Corinthians works of the fruit of the Holy Spirit?

Or are they what we tell/preach/teach based on the foundation that Paul talks about.

.

I think Cor. 3 tells us exactly what those works are, we are to listen to scripture. It is works that live through the trial by fire. Our work that is done out of love will not burn, but our houses, cars and jewels burn.

 

[BillG]

Scripture tells us we will be judged, if God was telling us we will be changed then these verses would say so.

Other verses in Revelation tell us there will be a new Jerusalem, our world will change. That is what the feast of Tabernacles is all about.

Can you quote the verses please and expand on them.

 

[BillG]

I think Cor. 3 tells us exactly what those works are, we are to listen to scripture. It is works that live through the trial by fire. Our work that is done out of love will not burn, but our houses, cars and jewels burn.

Ok list the works (as I have asked you before).
What are these works.
Break it down for (as I have asked you before)

 

[BillG]

Can you quote the verses please and expand on them.

I'm starting to kinda get the impression 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 is talking about how we'll be changed. The bad works will be removed and the good works will remain. We'll be better than before.

Scripture tells us we will be judged, if God was telling us we will be changed then these verses would say so.

Other verses in Revelation tell us there will be a new Jerusalem, our world will change. That is what the feast of Tabernacles is all about.

So please quote verses as I asked in relation to your resume to @Runningman

Ta

 

[Blik]

Can you quote the verses please and expand on them.

I don't think it should be up to me to present a study of the feast of Tabernacles, there is plenty of information available if you will look. Even your concordance would direct you.

 

[BillG]

I don't think it should be up to me to present a study of the feast of Tabernacles, there is plenty of information available if you will look. Even your concordance would direct you.

It should be up to you because you quoted it.

If you are going to quote something then you need to back it up.

I have looked at it and cannot find the verses in Revelations that you are unwilling to post and expand on in your response to @Runningman

So once again how does your response to @Runningman relate to Revelations?

Once again it's up to you to try and prove your point with quoted scripture and expand.

If you won't or cannot then you have not researched it and are not a berean

 

[reneweddaybyday]

Are the works in Corinthians works of the fruit of the Holy Spirit?

I do not believe so ... the fruit is not a result of anything we do ... the fruit results from the Holy Spirit working within us. We cannot and do not produce the fruit. All we do is hold the fruit forth to those with whom we come in contact.

Look at a fruit tree. Does the branch produce the fruit? or is the fruit produced by the inner workings of the tree (from root to branch). The branch holds the fruit.

Read John 15 where we are taught to abide in the Vine. John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Andrew Murray wrote a 30-day devotional on John 15. You can access it here:

The True Vine

 

[Blik]

It should be up to you because you quoted it.

If you are going to quote something then you need to back it up.

I have looked at it and cannot find the verses in Revelations that you are unwilling to post and expand on in your response to @Runningman

So once again how does your response to @Runningman relate to Revelations?

Once again it's up to you to try and prove your point with quoted scripture and expand.

If you won't or cannot then you have not researched it and are not a berean

You used the word "change" in your post, yet there is nothing about change in Cor. 3. I mentioned tabernacles as what scripture tells about change. Change is not related to Cor. 3. If you are not interested in the meaning of the feasts, please, for goodness sakes forget I mentioned it.

My point is that the verses we are trying to understand does not mention change that was spoken of. The only way that tabernacles you are making such a to do about applies is to say that would be a change spoken of, Col. 3 does not speak of a change.

 

[BillG]

You used the word "change" in your post, yet there is nothing about change in Cor. 3. I mentioned tabernacles as what scripture tells about change. Change is not related to Cor. 3. If you are not interested in the meaning of the feasts, please, for goodness sakes forget I mentioned it.

My point is that the verses we are trying to understand does not mention change that was spoken of. The only way that tabernacles you are making such a to do about applies is to say that would be a change spoken of, Col. 3 does not speak of a change.

Firstly @Runningman posts

I'm starting to kinda get the impression 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 is talking about how we'll be changed. The bad works will be removed and the good works will remain. We'll be better than before.

Ok please go back and read my post again.

Yes I used the word change but I did not say that this is what the verses were conveying.

I asked if such works runningman was relating to change in terms of bad works being removed and good works remaining.
I said I saw this process as sanctification.

I suppose it comes down to the "works" in Corinthians and what those works are.

Are the works in Corinthians works of the fruit of the Holy Spirit?

Or are they what we tell/preach/teach based on the foundation that Paul talks about.

So I did not say it meant change at all was among the question.

Then if you read the rest of my post I said

We see Paul introduced the gospel given to by Jeus to preach to the gentiles.
So he has laid a foundation that is basically the starting point.
What is the starting point?
Paul states this in other letters he wrote.
Saved by faith, through grace (just like he was)

The works in the Corinthians verse are about teaching and not change.
Per the below.

The reason I think it's based on teaching over and above this is because Paul in other letters talks about walking according the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Per the below

James 3:1

The Untamable Tongue
1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

Is this what Paul is talking about also?
He calls them brothers.

Therefore I did use the word change but did not say the verses meant change in any way shape or form.

 

[oyster67]

Ok list the works (as I have asked you before).
What are these works.
Break it down for (as I have asked you before)

"Works" can be just about any "good" thing we do. God sees the motive, and it is our motives that will be examined.

 

[BillG]

"Works" can be just about any "good" thing we do. God sees the motive, and it is our motives that will be examined.

I totally agree with you.
I have had many situations where God has asked me to do something and I have totally refused, be he kept pressing in until I have done what has been asked.

Though I must admit alebit it grumpy but done it.
Come to learn that if I feel God has asked me to do it, I pray about it and if still lays heavy on my heart then I need to it, even I don't want.

Need to lay aside the reasons for not wanting to because it's based on emotions and preconceived ideas and knowledge of the person God wants me to help.

Having learned to do this and honour God I have done this.
And this is my experience and it is truly amazing and releasing.

There have been many people who God has asked me to help and I really didn't want to because I did not like them or thought they would squander what I have done for them or not be appreciative.

What is really amazing is that having done this God has bought me to place of an Agape love for them, he has revealed his love to me for people.
I have got to know people and what they struggle with that has caused the situations they are in.

It is truly amazing to understand that when God asks you do something it is for a purpose so do it and thank him for using us with nothing required in return.

God moves us from Phileo to Agape just like he did with Peter.
What a privilege and not a burden.

 

[BillG]

"Works" can be just about any "good" thing we do. God sees the motive, and it is our motives that will be examined.

Side note

You responded to my post which I responded to @Blik

I think Cor. 3 tells us exactly what those works are, we are to listen to scripture. It is works that live through the trial by fire. Our work that is done out of love will not burn, but our houses, cars and jewels burn.

So what are these works which I asked to be expanded on?
No response yet other than the feast of the Tabernacle in revelations.

The issue for me is and as I have tried to explain is that the works in the Corinthians passage has nothing to do with any good thing that we do but is based on what we preach/teach over and above the foundation laid.
Nothing to do with change.

Good works out of love are as result of this which is sanctification based on the foundation which Paul addressed in other letters as well.