1 Corinthians 3

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 3 of 16

1 And, brothers, I was not able to speak to you as to spiritual ones, but as to fleshly ones, as to babes in Christ.

2 I gave you milk to drink, and not solid food, for you were not then able, for neither are you yet able now.

3 For you are yet fleshly ones. For where among you is jealousy, and strife, and divisions, are you not fleshly ones and walking according to man?

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Chapter Summary

2 Milk is fit for children. 7 He that plants, and he that waters, is nothing. 9 The ministers are God’s fellow-workers; a field of God. 11 Christ the foundation.

Key Greek Words

θεμέλιος foundation G2310
ναός temple G3485
συνεργός fellow-worker G4904
σαρκικός fleshly G4559
μισθός reward G3408
σοφία wisdom G4678

People & Context

Paul

Planted the spiritual seed in Corinth; laid the foundation as a wise master builder

Apollos

Fellow minister who watered what Paul planted; a rallying point for Corinthian factions

Jesus Christ

The one foundation already laid, on which no other can be set

God the Father

The One who gives the growth; believers are His field, building, and temple

Cephas

Named with Paul and Apollos as one the Corinthians wrongly boasted in

Timeline

Fellow-Workers of God

Paul rebukes the Corinthians as fleshly babes for dividing over ministers, emphasizing that while Paul planted and Apollos watered, they are mere servants and God is the one who gives growth .

1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Building on Christ's Foundation

Paul warns believers to be careful how they build upon the sole foundation of Jesus Christ, as their works will be tested by fire, and reminds them that they are God's holy temple [11-13].

1 Corinthians 3:10-23

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