Bible Commentaries
1 Corinthians 3

Verse 1

CARNALITY HINDERS SPIRITUAL GROWTH

1) "And I, brethren" (Greek kago adelphoi) means "even I, brethren" or "and I brethren" direct address to members of the church at Corinth.

2) "Could not speak unto you," (ouk edunethen lalesi humin) "was not able or empowered to speak to or address you" because they could little comprehend spiritual things, much like our Lord’s disciples, John 16:12.

3) "As unto spiritual." (Greek hos pneumatikois) as unto spiritual men, or men of spiritual comprehension. The spiritual man refers to the "new man" or "regenerated man"’ who walks according to the wilI of the Spirit, Galatians 6:1.

4) "But as unto carnal." (All’ hos sarkikos) "but as to shly ones" - ones of the old nature, of the order of depravity, who walks or lives after the old Adamic order of an unrenewed man, 1 Corinthians 2:14.

Verse 2

1) “I have fed you with milk" (gala humas epotisa) "I gave you milk to drink" - Paul’s early feeding of the Corinthian brethren had been with the simplicity, yet strength, of the milk of the Word of God. He used discretion in supplying their spiritual diet as a nurse or mother does to the infant, but an infant should not remain an infant in diet always, Hebrews 6:1-3.

2) "And not with meat." (Greek ou broma) "not heavier dietary food," referring to things more mature persons may digest. Pastors and Bible teachers must use wisdom in selecting portions of the Word to help all levels of Christian maturity among those they address.

3) "For hitherto ye were not able to bear it." (Greek oupo gar edunasthe) "For not then were ye able to digest it." During Paul’s first labors among the Corinthian brethren they were not able to bear strong discipline, doctrine, or understand prophecy, etc.

4) "Neither yet now are ye able." And having received reports of much continuing contention, division, and carnality among them he asserts (Greek all’ oude [eti] nun dunasthe) "but neither now are ye able."

These had been saved long enough to be teachers, good workers for Christ, but had grown so little. Of such Hebrews 4:11-14 has much to say, read it.

Verse 3

1) "For ye are yet carnal." (eti gar sarkikoi este) "For still you all are carnal or flesh-like." This passage teaches that sanctified ones, saints, church members who pray, and have spiritual gifts, still have carnality in them. For the Corinthian brethren had all these, 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 1:7.

2) "For whereas there is among you. ’ (opou gar en humin) "For whereas there is among you or within your midst," meaning in or among the Corinth church fellowship, the following types of carnality, fruits of the old depraved nature.

a) "envying" (Greek zelos) means "fiery jealousy," listed among the works of the flesh, like maggots in fly-blown, decaying flesh; Galatians 5:21; Proverbs 14:30; James 3:14; James 3:16; Titus 3:3.

b) "And strife and divisions" (Greek kai eris) "even strife and divisions." This is one of many passages that gives the lie to the concept that sanctified people have the carnality all burned out of them - children of God may strive among themselves; Israel did; our Lord’s disciples did and these brethren did - see these warnings, Proverbs 22:10; Proverbs 26:17; Proverbs 26:20; Philippians 2:3.

3) "Are ye not carnal" (Greek ouchi sarkisoi este) "are ye not fleshly" - This statement is of rhetoric question nature, designed to affirm that brethren were very carnal, imperfect, infantile spiritually.

4) "And walk as men?" (Kai kata anthropon peripateite) "and after the pattern or according to men of the world ye putter around." This is an affirmative indictment (rhetorically given) of guilt Paul brought against the erring, infantile, sibling, Corinth church members who perhaps have too many heirs in churches today, Matthew 5:48; Romans 13:14.

Verse 4

1) "For while one saith." (hotan gar lege tis) "For whenever anyone says" (talks this way) or "is saying:"

2) “I am of Paul" (ego men limi Paulo) “I am with Paul" - such loose talk sets one apostle or Divine leader against another and contributes to strife and division and contention.

3) "And another, I am of Apollos" (heteros de ego Apollo) "and another (of another kind of talk is saying) I am with Apollos," as if Paul and Apollos were at odds with each other on Divine matters, or one greater than the other, breaking the Law of the Lord, Matthew 20:25; Matthew 20:27.

4) "Are ye not carnal?" (ouk anthropoi este;) “are ye not men" or acting as men of the world, stirring clamor, evil speaking, and trouble? These rhetoric questions were Paul’s method of sharp reproof to the Corinthian brethren for their carnal clamor that bred and fed strife. Solomon wrote that to cease scoffing would cause strife and contention to cease, Proverbs 22:10.

THE NATURAL MAN

Thy body, 0 man, naturally of itself breeds many diseases and passions, and many it receives befalling it from without; but if thou shalt open thy interior, thou will find a certain various and abundantly furnished storehouse and (as Democritus says) treasury of evils, not flowing into it from abroad, but having as it were their inbred and original springs, which vice, exceedingly affluent and rich in passions, causes to break forth.

- Plutarch

Verse 5

1) "Who then is Paul." (Greek ti de estin Paulos) "What moreover is Paul?" (what of Paul? Is he worthy to be an occasion for strife?) Paul seems to chide the brethren for such carnality.

2) "And who is Apollos" (ti oun estin apollos;) "What therefore is Apollos?" What is there in Apollos to merit your striving carnality? Explain it, please, Paul seems to challenge.

3) "But ministers by whom ye believed." (diakonoi di on episteusate) the "but" is omitted in the original. Paul simply asserts that both he and Apollos were "ministers" or common dedicated workers, persons through whom the Corinthians had believed. This is "who or what" they were "diakonoi" -common dedicated workers, 1 Corinthians 4:15.

4) "Even as the Lord gave to every man." (Kai ekasto hos ho kurios edoken) "even just as the Lord gave (doled out) to each one." Whatever gifts God gave to Paul and Apollos, wherein they differed, should never have been occasion for strife or contention among those who believed. This was the unselfish and self-abasing attitude Paul assumed, 1 Corinthians 1:11-17.

Verse 6

1) 1 have planted" (ego ephuteusa) I have planted," refers to Paul’s sowing the seed, the Word of God, Ecclesiastes 11:6; Matthew 13:19-23; Acts 18:8.

2) "Apollos watered." (Apollos epotisen) "Apollos watered." He is said to have "helped them much which had believed through grace," Acts 18:27. This help is referred to as watering or refreshing the Corinthian brethren.

3) "But God gave the increase." (Greek alla ho theos euksanen) "but the trinitarian God made to grow," (plants from the seed sown) - the believers. They are to grow through a knowledge of the Word, 1 Peter 3:18; Acts 20:32.

Verse 7

1) "So then neither is he that planteth anything." (hoste oute ho phuteuon estin ti) "So then neither is the one planting anything." - That is anything to merit or be an occasion for strife and contention, such as the Corinthians had made of it.

2) "Neither he that watereth" (oute ho potizon) "nor is the one watering" (anything). Each believed that without or apart from Christ he could do nothing, John 15:5; Colossians 3:17.

3) "But God that giveth the increase." (all’ ho auksanon theos) "but God the one making to grow". For whatever growth had come to the Corinthian brethren glory was to be given to God - not to Paul or Apollos, men who knew that only the humble would be exalted, James 4:10; John 4:36-38.

Verse 8

1) "Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one." (ho phuteuon de kai ho potizon en eisin) "The one planting moreover also the one watering are one." This means each minister sought the one objective of his calling - to be a common dedicated worker for God, 1 Corinthians 16:12.

2) "And every man shall receive his own reward." (ekastos de ton idion misthon lempsethai) "And each one shall receive his own reward" (for services rendered). There is a rewarding day. 1 Corinthians 3:14; 1 Corinthians 9:17; Daniel 12:3; 2 John 1:8; Revelation 22:12.

3) "According to his own labour." (Kata ton Idion kopon) "according to or based upon his own labor" not upon "amount of fruit." Though God desires, good, much, and more fruit in each of his children, he also desires labor, faithful labor, and rewards therefore abundantly, Matthew 25:15-23; Luke 19:11-27; John 15:1-27.

Verse 9

HOW TO BUILD FOR REWARDS

1) "For we are labourers together with God." (Greek theou gar esmen sunergoi) "For we are fellow or together-workers of God." The ministry and the members of each congregation form God’s custodial ministry of the Word and worship in this age.

2) "Ye are God’s husbandry." (theou georgion) "of God" (ye are) "a husbandry or tillage." The church of Jesus Christ, each congregation, is God’s husbandry in that community, to do His work, to bear fruit for Him.

3) "Ye are God’s building." (Greek theou oikodome este) "Ye are God’s house or domed up building." This refers to the church at Corinth, as God’s dwelling place in Spiritual power, from which His work is to be done, 1 Timothy 3:15; Mark 13:34-37. Whether servant, layman, or porter each shall give account to the Lord at His return.

New Testament Terms that always refer to

The Church

To build for the greatest degree of honor and glory to God and rewards for believers one must labor in and through the covenant fellowship of the Lord’s church, Ephesians 3:21. The New Testament Church is referred to as:

a) The Church (institutionally), Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:23-25.

b) The Bride of Christ, John 3:27-30; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7-9.

c) The house of God, Mark 13:34-37; 1Ti 3:15; 1 Peter 2:5.

d) The Temple of God, 1 Corinthians 3:15-16; 2 Corinthians 6:16.

e) The Kingdom of heaven, Matthew 13:1-58; Matthew 16:18-19; Matthew 25:1; Matthew 25:14.

f) The body of Christ, Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13.

The New Testament knows nothing of a universal, mystical, invisible, church body made up of all believers. All believers constitute the family of God, but not the New Testament church which He has called from among the Gentiles for His name’s sake.

Verse 10

1) "According to the grace of God." (kata ten charin tou theou) Paul attributes all that he was and did to be by the grace of God, imparted to him without personal merit, 1 Corinthians 15:10.

2) "Which is given unto me." (ten dotheisan moi) "Which (grace) is given to me." That grace to Paul was a personal gift he often acknowledged, Ephesians 3:2; Ephesians 3:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:12.

3) "As a wise masterbuilder." (hos sophos architekton) "as a wise architect," Paul’s labors in Corinth were with the deliberate planning for the church’s growth that a good architect would use in planning and supervising a building on which his life’s reputation would be staked. He planned well.

4) “I have laid the foundation." (themelion etheka) "I laid a foundation." Tho this church was not perfect, Paul was not ashamed of it for he had laid it in Christ, and according to His Word and Gospel, 1 Corinthians 1:17; 1 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 11:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

5) "And another buildeth thereon." (allos) "another" of the same mind or belief (de) "moreover" (Greek epoikodomei) "builds upon (it)." Paul did not resent faithful ministers who followed him at Corinth as Apollos, Timothy, and Titus. See the principle, John 4:34-37.

6) "But let every man take heed." (hekastos; de blepeto) "however let each one cautiously look over or take heed."

7) "How he buildeth thereon." (pos epoikodomei) "How he builds on it." It is not enough for one to build on Jesus Christ and through His Church, he must also do God’s work in God’s way, 1 Corinthians 11:2; Acts 20:28-32. No man is crowned except he strive lawfully (2 Timothy 2:5).

Verse 11

1) "For other foundation." (themelion gar allon) To build the Christian life one must have the right foundation, Jesus Christ, the Rock, not Mohammed, Zoraster, Confucius, etc. All other foundations are as quick-sand, sinking sand, Matthew 7:24-29.

2) "Can no man lay than that is laid." (Greek oudeis dunatai theinai para ton keimenon) "not one is able to lay along side the one being laid, or already having been laid." As a genuine foundation for building a Christian life, the character and strength and eternality of none meets the architectural specifications of Jesus our Saviour - "holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners," Hebrews 7:26.

3) "Which is Jesus Christ." (hos estin iesous christos) "Who is Jesus Christ." He was and is too often the rejected stone or Rock of Salvation, rejected for sand, by many, Psalms 118:22; Exodus 17:6; Acts 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:7-8.

Verse 12

TWO DIFFERENT WAYS OF BUILDING

1) "Now if any man build upon this foundation." (ei de tis) "if indeed anyone" (epoikodemei eip ton themelion) "dome up upon the foundation," (Jesus Christ) - two general classes or kinds of building material are named, 1) the enduring (gold, silver, precious stones), 2) the perishing termite kind, (wood, hay stubble.)

a) gold - (chrusion) These materials represent Divine moral values and ethical conduct built into the Christian life - values that will stand in life, death, and the judgment.

b) silver - (argurion) as silver reflects the good and the noble, even so do those Christian virtues of moral worth emanating from Jesus Christ: The seven virtues 2 Peter 1:4-9.

c) Precious stones - (lithous timious) "stones of honor, or reputation, or royalty." Wind, water, and fire do not destroy these materials nor the virtues of life they symbolize.

WIND, WATER AND FIRE WILL DESTROY THE FOLLOWING:

d) wood - (zula)

e) hay - (chorton)

f) stubble - (kalamen)

The wood, hay and stubble symbolize fleeting, decaying, moral and ethical values apart from Christ, of no value for building a worthwhile life and values that will not stand in death and the judgment.

Verse 13

1) "Every man’s work" (hekastou to ergon) "The work of each one." This emphasizes personal responsibility and accountability of each person toward God and one’s fellowman, Romans 14:11-12; Isaiah 45:23; Philippians 2:10-11.

2) "Shall be made manifest." (phaneron genesetai) "will become manifest or become disclosed." Solomon affirmed this Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. Paul also affirmed this concept of personal accountability for life’s decisions and deeds, 2 Corinthians 5:9-11.

3) "For the day shall declare it." (he gar hemera deloseis) "For the day will declare or disclose it." The work of every saved person (good or bad) will be tested by the Word of God at the judgment seat of Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:10.

4) "Because it shall be revealed by fire." (hoti en puri apokaluptelai) "because by fire it is disclosed." As gold, silver, and precious stones, endure fire, so shall all the work of a man done in and as fruits of the spirit, endure the hour of testing for rewards. 2 John 1:8.

5) "And the fire shall try every man’s work." (kai hekastou to ergon to pur auto dokemasei) "And the work of each one (who builds) the fire will prove it." If the work be carnal, chaff, unapproved, it shall be burned; If it be spiritual, it shall merit the doer rewards. Christian service, not salvation, is the theme.

6) "Of what sort it is." (hopoion estin) "What kind or sort of doing or work it is." Work done to try to merit salvation for one has God’s disapproval, Matthew 7:21-23; Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 11:6; Titus 3:5.

Verse 14

1) "If any man’s work abide" (ei tinos to ergon menei) "if of anyone the work remains" (after the testing by the fire-standard of God’s Word).

2) "Which he hath built thereupon." (ho epoikodomesen) "which he built on" - (during his life). The type of building refers to building up a life of spiritual virtues on Christ Jesus, the true foundation. The spiritual works are referred to as gold, silver, and precious stone material, expressed Galatians 5:22-25. Life worthwhile, built to honor God, must embrace these nine Divine attributes.

3) "He shall receive a reward." (misthon lempsetai)

a reward he shall receive." Revelation 22:12. Salvation is offered to unsaved people who will believe and rewards are offered to the saved for faithful service rendered according to His Word.

EXAMPLES OF REWARDS:

1) Salvation is referred to as a gift from God. John 4:10; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-10.

2) Rewards refer to earnings for work done –Matthew 10:42; Luke 19:17; 1 Corinthians 9:24-25; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Revelation 2:10.

3) Salvation is a present life experience – Luke 7:50; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:47; John 10:27-29.

4) Rewards are future, to be attained at or in the coming of Christ. Matthew 16:27; 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 22:12.

Verse 15

1) "If any man’s work shall be burned." (ei tinos to ergon katakaesetai) "if of anyone the work will be consumed." Upon the condition that anyone’s work, being of unspiritual, unbiblical nature, will be consumed or burned, how about the soul of the one who started on Christ, the true foundation?

2) "He shall suffer loss." (Greek zemiotheoetai) "He will suffer loss." Though the builder will suffer loss for doming up, or tempering his building of life of temporal, unspiritual things, and though he shall suffer loss of rewards at his judgment hour, Paul assures:

3) "But he himself shall be saved." (autos de sothesetai) "yet he himself shall be saved or delivered" It is great for one to be saved from a fire that destroys his own home. But it is much greater if he can also save his household goods, treasures, endearing possessions of a lifetime. All the saved shall be saved from the fires of hell, but some will be without rewards, saved as if by fire, Matthew 10:27.

4) "Yet so as by fire." (houtos de hos dia puros) "Yet so as through fire." Blessed is one’s eternal soul security in Christ Jesus. But more blessed is the one who also builds a life on Christ, His Divine attributes of gold, silver, and precious stones of enduring nature, so that his works may also be saved and merit him rewards and a well done at his judgment hour, Matthew 25:21.

BARELY SAVED!

One time, Dr. R.E. Neighbour preached a sermon on the possibility of God’s children being saved "so as by fire" and receiving no rewards when they stand before Christ. After the service, the minister walked home with a wealthy businessman who said, "I didn’t like that sermon about the possibility of some Christians barely entering heaven and not receiving any rewards for faithful service. Why, I will be satisfied if I just get inside of heaven and can lean against the walls!" At that moment the two reached the palatial home of the wealthy businessman. It was filled with all the luxuries that money could buy. How different was the wealthy man’s thinking about his heavenly home. Let us aspire to enter glory abundantly and triumphantly. Peter said, "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" 2 Peter 1:11.

-W. B. K.

Verse 16

1) "Know ye not." (Greek ouk oidate) "Do you not perceive, see, or recognize" - Paul probes the Spiritual perception of the carnal, strife torn, contentious members of the Corinth church, to stir them to recognize their high calling to service through the church.

2) "That ye are the temple of God." (hoti naos theou este) "that you all constitute a shrine or temple of God?" Can’t you comprehend that Jesus is in your fellowship, and Divine Royalty beholds your personal and church life? Paul rhetorically questions. See also 1 Peter 2:1-9; 1 Peter 2:19-22.

3) "And that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (Kai to pneuma tou theou en humin oikei) "And the spirit of the Trinitarian God is enshrined in the fellowship of you all."

The Holy Spirit, the paraclete, the indwelling vice-gerent or representative of Jesus Christ, is in every fellowship of scripturally baptized and covenanted affinity of believers who are pledged to each other to work together in any locality to carry on a program of work and worship of Jesus Christ according to His Word. Paul believed this and wanted to remind the Corinth church members of their lofty calling which entailed accountable conduct before God and the world. John 16:7-15; John 14:16-18; Acts 2:1-8; Acts 2:15-21.

Verse 17

1) "If any man defile the temple of God." (eis is ton vaon tou theou) "If anyone the shrine, temple, or habitation fellowship of God defiles." The warning and necessary inference set forth is that it is possible for one to defile, make useless, or tear up the temple, shrine, or church of the Lord where His spirit dwells and empowers.

2) "Him shall God destroy." (phtherei touton ho theos) "This one God shall defile or tear up." This bespeaks God’s certain anger and judgment in some form on any person who presumes to split, divide, defile, or tear up the shrine, temple, or fellowship of the church where God’s Spirit dwells.

3) "For the temple of God is holy." (ho gar naos tou theou hagios estin) "For the shrine-temple or habitation-fellowship of God is holy or sacred." Each true church of our Lord is a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit which came to dwell in the first church from Pentecost and has enshrined Himself in every church of like nature and practice wherever two or three have gathered together in the name of the Lord ever since, Matthew 18:15-20; Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13. Each church, body, or assembly is Holy Spirit indwelt and empowered.

4) "Which temple ye are." (oitines este humeis) "Which (holy temple, habitation, shrine or church) you all are or constitute." 1 Corinthians 6:11. In spite of the imperfections of this church and her members, as a church, they were beheld of the Lord as sanctified, holy, and washed. And Paul warned of God’s judgment on any that should attempt to defile her or tear her up. See also Matthew 16:18; Matthew 28:20; Ephesians 3:21.

Verse 18

1) "Let no man deceive himself." (medeis heauton eksapatato) "Let no one deceive or delude Himself." To be self deceived is the worst type of deception. The rich barn builder, the prodigal son, Judas Iscariot, and Ananias and Sapphira were self deceivers.

2) "If any man among you." (ei tis en humin) "If anyone among you or in your midst." This is an hypothetical, or suppositional approach - perhaps used to bring conviction to any among the Corinth church who had caused strife and contention, 1 Corinthians 3:4.

3) "Seemeth to be wise in this world," (dokei sophos einai en to aioni touto) "should seem or appear a wise one (wise-acre) to be in this age." Some posed as superior in wisdom and judgment to evaluate the greatest of preachers among Paul, Apollos, and Cephas, 1 Corinthians 1:12-13. Such was in conflict with the Word of our Lord, Matthew 20:24-28.

4) "Let him become a fool." (genestho moros) "Let him become a moron," Treat the sower of strife as a moron, one who presumes to broadcast his wisdom as superior, but whose judgment is hastily given and has not developed above a twelve year old’s mental maturity.

5) "That he may be wise." (Greek hina) In order that (purpose clause) (genetai sophos) "he may become wise." Treat him as a would-be trouble-maker, a sower of discord, ignoring or turning away from his presumptuous mouthing, in order that he may recover from his moronity, stop his free-babbling, unsolicited advice. 2 Timothy 2:24; Proverbs 6:16.

Verse 19

1) "For the wisdom of this world." (he gar sophia tou kosmou toutou) "For this world-order of wisdom" - wisdom of men of the world, who know not God and have not His Spirit, the natural man’s wisdom, 1 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 1:20-25.

2) "Is foolishness with God" (Greek moria para to theo estin) "Is folly or moronic in nature in comparison with or alongside the wisdom of God," Romans 1:21-28.

3) "For it is written." (gegraptai gar) "For it has been written" Job had written of the worldly wise, those who presumed and assumed for themselves wisdom excelling that of God, Job 5:13.

4) "He taketh the wise." (Greek ho drassomenos tous sophous) "He grasps or takes hold of the wise ones," those who flout His Word, ways, and wisdom, as Pharaoh did, as Belshazzar and Nebuchadnezzar did, and as Jonah did (Exodus 14:19-28).

5) "In their own craftiness." (en te penourgia) "in the subtlety of their own presumptuous wisdom." He took Ananias and Sapphira this way, Acts 5 th Chapter.

LET MY WORDS BE FEW

Fools, hypocrites, and heathen may be identified by their multitude of words.

"God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few." Ecclesiastes 5:2.

Sensible men show their sense by saying much in a few words. Noble actions are the substance of life, not a multitude of platitudes.

A fool’s voice is known by a multitude of words. (Ecclesiastes 5:2-3) In Matthew 6:1-34 Jesus asserted that hypocrites make display-prayers to be seen of men; heathen use vain repetitions for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. Let us so act that we may not be classed with fools, hypocrites and heathen.

- 365 Sunrays of Help

CAUSE FOR STUPIDITY

A facetious Irish minister remarked upon one of his stupid brethren, "Head! he has no head; what you call a head is only a top-knot that his maker put there to keep him from raveling out."

- 6000 Windows

Verse 20

1) "And again" (Kai palin) - Paul introduces another witness in addition to that of Job. This second witness is the Psalmist David.

2) "The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise." This is a quotation based on Psalms 94:11. The thoughts of the unregenerate man are there declared to be vain or empty. (Greek tous dialogismous) concerns "The reasonings" of the "wise ones," of this world order.

3) "That they are vain." (eisin mataioi) They are vain or empty, ephemeral, deceptive and transitory.

Verse 21

1) "Therefore, let no man glory in men." (hoste medeis kauchastho en anthropois) "So as not one let boast or gloat in men or humanity." Boast or gloat not in: 1) man’s Wisdom 2) man’s power; 3) man’s wealth; or 4) man’s natural goodness.

2) "For all things are yours." (panta gar humon estin) "For all kind of things are yours." Children of God in general, and members of the Lord’s church in particular, are now heirs or possessors of all things that belong to Christ in God. We await our full heirship - maturity which comes in the adoption, by the resurrection, Romans 8:17-23.

Verse 22

1) "Whether" (eite) These things are possessions of every church member:

a) Paul (Paulos)

b) or Apollos (Apollos)

c) or Cephas (Kephas)

d) or the world. The deranged world order (kosmos)

e) or life (zoe)

f) or death (thanatos)

g) or things present (enestota) "present standing things"

h) or things to come (mellonta) "things remaining."

2) "All are yours." (panta humon) "All things are yours. "

a) The ministry belongs to the church, Matthew 28:18-20.

b) The whole world is the church’s territory, Matthew 16:15; Acts 1:8.

c) Life - undying belongs to each of the redeemed, 1 John 5:13.

d) Death belongs to God’s children, a transport to glory, 2 Corinthians 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:8.

e) Present things - redeemed ones have personal world rulership and dominion qualities and rights restored to them, Genesis 1:27-28; Ephesians 5:16.

f) Coming things - In the millennial with Christ, kings and priests, Revelation 5:9-10.

Verse 23

1) "And. ye are Christ’s" (humeis de Christou) "Indeed ye are of Christ." This raises Christ highly enthroned over all men. He is the (Christou) "the one of the anointing," as prophet, priest, and king before whom all should bow and the only one to whom men should attribute glory, Luke 4:18-21; Isaiah 61:1.

2) "And Christ is God’s." (Christos de theou) "Christ indeed is of God) Jesus Christ came to do His father’s will and always those things pleasing in His sight. Here Paul exalts the sovereignty of God as over all through Jesus Christ, John 5:30; John 8:29; 1 Corinthians 8:6.