Sunday Morning Bible Study: 1 Corinthians 3–4 — Growing Up in Christ, Living Under God’s Judgment
- May 2
- 4 min read
Where We Are
Last week, in 1 Corinthians 1–2, we saw that God’s wisdom is not the wisdom of this world.It is revealed in the cross—foolish to human pride, but the very power of salvation.
Now, in chapters 3–4, the apostle Paul the Apostle turns from what the church believes to how the church lives.
And his diagnosis is direct:
You believe the gospel—but you aGre still thinking like the world.
(1) Spiritual Infancy vs. Spiritual Maturity (Chapter 3:1–4)
Paul speaks plainly:
“I could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.”
The issue is not ignorance—it is immaturity.
Their divisions—“I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos”—reveal hearts still shaped by human pride rather than Christ.
Apollos was a gifted teacher. Paul was their founding apostle. But the Corinthians had turned servants into banners.
Lesson: Spiritual maturity is not measured by knowledge, but by unity, humility, and love.
(2) Growing as Servants, Not Saviors (Chapter 3:5–9)
Paul reframes everything:
“What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants…”
One plants. Another waters. But God gives the growth.
This cuts directly against personality-driven faith.
The church does not belong to its leaders. Leaders belong to the church—and both belong to God.
Lesson: When we elevate human instruments, we diminish divine power.
(3) Building on the Only Foundation (Chapter 3:10–15)
Paul now shifts to a sobering image:
“No one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Every teacher, every believer, is building on that foundation.
But not all building is equal:
Gold, silver, precious stones
Wood, hay, straw
The Day will reveal it.
Fire will test the quality of each work—not its size, but its substance.
Lesson: What we build with our lives and teaching will be examined by God Himself.
(4) The Temple of God (Chapter 3:16–17)
Paul raises the stakes:
“You are God’s temple and God’s Spirit dwells in you.”
This is not merely individual—it is corporate.
The church together is God’s dwelling place.
To divide, corrupt, or damage the church is no small matter:
“God will destroy him.”
Lesson: The unity and holiness of the church are sacred realities, not optional ideals.
(5) The Folly of Worldly Wisdom (Chapter 3:18–23)
Paul returns to a central theme:
“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.”
Human wisdom seeks status, control, recognition.
God’s wisdom humbles, strips, and reorients everything around Christ.
And then this sweeping declaration:
“All things are yours… and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.”
Lesson: When we belong to Christ, we no longer need to compete for identity or significance.
(6) Stewards of the Mysteries of God (Chapter 4:1–5)
Paul now defines true leadership:
“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
The requirement is simple and searching:
Faithfulness.
Not popularity.Not eloquence.Not success as the world measures it.
And then a striking statement:
“It is a very small thing that I should be judged by you…”
Human judgment—even our own self-assessment—is incomplete.
The Lord is the true judge.
Lesson: We live not before the court of public opinion, but before the judgment seat of God.
(7) The Irony of Pride (Chapter 4:6–13)
Paul exposes their pride with sharp irony:
“Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich!”
Meanwhile, the apostles:
Are weak
Are dishonored
Are hungry and persecuted
“We have become like the scum of the world…”
This is not exaggeration—it is contrast.
The Corinthians sought comfort and status. The apostles bore the cross.
Lesson: A church that seeks glory without suffering has misunderstood the gospel.
(8) A Father’s Appeal (Chapter 4:14–21)
The tone softens.
Paul is no longer correcting as a critic, but pleading as a father:
“I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”
He urges them:
“Imitate me.”
Not in personality—but in cross-shaped living.
He promises to come—not to hear their talk, but to see their power:
“For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.”
Lesson: True Christianity is not words about Christ—it is a life transformed by Him.
Where We Go Next
The letter now turns even more directly into the life of the church:
(5) Confronting sin within the body
(6) Lawsuits, morality, and honoring God with the body
(7) Marriage, singleness, and calling
The gospel not only saves—it reshapes every part of life.
Final Reflection
Chapters 3–4 ask us to examine ourselves:
Are we growing—or merely informed?
Are we building with what lasts—or what burns?
Are we seeking Christ’s approval—or man’s?
The call is clear:
Grow up.Build wisely.Live faithfully.
Because the Lord who saved us is also the Lord who will judge our work.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for transforming us through Your Wprd. Help us buile and grow as we love and worship You. Amen.
Please let me know how to pray for you, that Jesus will have His was with you and your life. Just put your request in the Comments section below.. Jesus loves us and want to fill each of our hearts with His love. Praise God! Ken
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NEAR THE CROSS
Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.
Refrain
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.
Refrain
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o’er me.
Refrain
Near the cross I’ll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.
Refrain
Fanny Crosby, i1869
But God forbid that I should glory,
save in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, by whom the world is crucified
unto me, and I unto the world. Gal 6:14
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