Paul continues to address the divisions within the Corinthian Church. He tells them to grow up, they can’t just be sustained on milk, meaning they have to start acting more mature. Paul is going to give them something to chew on. Currently, they are acting out in jealousy and strife, which are not the ways of the Spirit. 

He starts out questioning their devotion to one teacher over another. First he uses a farming metaphor. He planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God gave it growth. Each minister did an important job, and each will be paid for their work. One minister not better or interchangeable with another, each has their role. We can get pretty entrenched in one type of teaching over another, but maybe many have something important to offer our faith journey and we can appreciate someone else’s contribution.

Then, Paul switches the metaphor of builders, each teacher adding on to the foundation laid by Jesus Christ. Like a real construction project, each worker needs to build up to the standard with high quality materials. The work will be tested by fire and those using gold, silver and precious stones will remain while the wood, hay and straw will burn away. 

Living on the West Coast, we go through wildfire season every summer and how your building is constructed matters. The foundation of our faith should be Jesus and the teachings we follow will be tested by hardships and trials. Don’t fall for cheap materials. 

Finally, Paul reminds his readers that their bodies are the temple of God. The Spirit lives in the people, not buildings. The wisdom of God is often opposite of the wisdom of the world so we shouldn’t get caught up with big personalities. Everything is God’s so we don’t have to strive or compete with each other because he has everything that we need. 

Is your faith up to code?