Spiritual Immaturity, Ministry, and God's Building
1 Corinthians 3:1-23
1Cor.3.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Καγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ηδυνηθην: VERB,aor,mid,ind,1,sg
- λαλησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ως: ADV
- πνευματικοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- αλλ᾽ως: CONJ+ADV
- σαρκινοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- ως: ADV
- νηπιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 (thematic): Both passages contrast spiritual discernment with a non-spiritual (or fleshly) state; Paul distinguishes those who are 'spiritual' from those who are not able to receive spiritual teaching.
- 1 Corinthians 3:2 (structural): Immediate continuation of 3:1: Paul explains he gave 'milk, not solid food' and explicitly calls the recipients 'infants in Christ,' developing the same infant/milk metaphor.
- Hebrews 5:12-14 (verbal): Uses the milk vs. solid food metaphor to distinguish spiritual infancy from maturity and perceptive ability—closely parallels Paul's imagery and concern for believers' lack of maturity.
- 1 Peter 2:2 (verbal): Addresses Christians as 'newborn infants' who should crave 'pure spiritual milk,' echoing the infant/milk language for spiritual beginnings and growth.
- Ephesians 4:14 (thematic): Warns against remaining like children tossed by every teaching; thematically parallel to Paul's critique of immaturity and susceptibility to worldly, fleshly behavior.
Alternative generated candidates
- Brothers, I could not speak to you as spiritual people but as fleshly—mere infants in Christ.
- And I, brothers, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to fleshly people, as to infants in Christ.
1Cor.3.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- γαλα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- εποτισα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- ου: PART,neg
- βρωμα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- ουπω: ADV
- γαρ: PART
- εδυνασθε: VERB,impf,mid,ind,2,pl
- αλλ᾽ουδε: CONJ
- ετι: ADV
- νυν: ADV
- δυνασθε: VERB,pres,mid,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- Hebrews 5:12-14 (verbal): Uses the same milk vs. solid food contrast to distinguish elementary teaching for infants from mature, discerning instruction.
- 1 Peter 2:2-3 (thematic): Calls believers to crave 'pure spiritual milk' so they may grow, employing the milk-as-nourishment metaphor for basic teaching and spiritual infancy.
- Hebrews 6:1-3 (thematic): Urges moving beyond elementary or 'milk'-level doctrines (foundations) toward maturity, paralleling Paul's critique of spiritual immaturity.
- Ephesians 4:14 (thematic): Describes believers who are not mature—'tossed by every wind of teaching'—connecting Paul's charge that the Corinthians remain spiritually immature and unable to handle solid food.
Alternative generated candidates
- I fed you with milk, not with solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed even now you are not able.
- I fed you with milk, not with solid food, for you were not yet able; and even now you are not able.
1Cor.3.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ετι: ADV
- γαρ: PART
- σαρκικοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- οπου: ADV,rel
- γαρ: PART
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ζηλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ερις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ουχι: PART
- σαρκικοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- κατα: PREP
- ανθρωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- περιπατειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- Galatians 5:19-21 (verbal): Lists 'works of the flesh' including jealousy and factions/strife—verbal and thematic overlap with Paul's diagnosis of believers as 'carnal' because of jealousy and quarrels.
- James 3:14-16 (thematic): Links bitter jealousy and selfish ambition to disorder and every evil practice, echoing the moral and communal consequences of carnality found in 1 Cor 3:3.
- James 4:1-3 (thematic): Explains that quarrels and fights among people arise from sinful desires within, providing a theological explanation for the jealousies and strife Paul condemns as carnality.
- Romans 8:5-8 (verbal): Contrasts living 'according to the flesh' with living 'according to the Spirit'; parallels Paul's language of being 'sarkikoi' (carnal) and 'walking according to man'—an indicator of spiritual immaturity.
- 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 (structural): Immediate context: Paul explicitly identifies the Corinthians as infants in Christ and ties their jealousy and divisions to spiritual immaturity—direct contextual parallel that frames 3:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- For you are still of the flesh. For where there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and walking like mere humans?
- For you are still fleshly. For where there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly and walking like mere men?
1Cor.3.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- οταν: CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- λεγη: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,sg
- τις·Εγω: PRON,nom,sg,m+PRON,nom,sg,1
- μεν: PART
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- Παυλου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ετερος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- δε·Εγω: PART+PRON,nom,sg,1
- Απολλω: PROPN,dat,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ανθρωποι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 1:12 (verbal): Same language and issue earlier in the letter: believers saying 'I am of Paul... I of Apollos,' introducing the factionalism Paul confronts.
- 1 Corinthians 3:3 (structural): Immediate context: Paul links the party spirit to jealousy, strife, and carnality, diagnosing the moral/spiritual problem behind the 'I follow' claims.
- Acts 18:24-28 (allusion): Background account of Apollos' ministry in Corinth (and his influence), which helps explain how followings around leaders like Apollos arose in the Corinthian church.
- 1 Corinthians 11:19 (thematic): Paul elsewhere acknowledges that factions exist among the community; both passages treat divisions as a problematic but observable reality in the churches.
- Romans 16:17 (thematic): Paul's warning to mark and avoid those causing divisions echoes his concern in 1 Cor 3:4 about parties and their disruptive effect on the body.
Alternative generated candidates
- For when one says, 'I belong to Paul,' and another, 'I belong to Apollos,' are you not merely human?
- For when one says, 'I belong to Paul,' and another, 'I belong to Apollos,' are you not merely men?
1Cor.3.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Τι: PRON,nom,sg,neut
- ουν: CONJ
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- Απολλως: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- διακονοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- δι᾽ων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,m
- επιστευσατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- εκαστω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- ως: ADV
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εδωκεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- 1 Cor 4:1 (verbal): Uses the same servant language (διακόνους/servants) and depicts apostles as servants/stewards of Christ and of God’s mysteries, reinforcing the ministerial/humble role described in 3:5.
- Rom 1:1 (verbal): Paul’s self-designation as ‘servant/slave (δοῦλος) of Jesus Christ’ echoes the servant-terminology and stresses apostolic humility and vocation referenced in 3:5.
- Acts 18:24-28 (allusion): Narrative account of Apollos as an effective teacher and minister who helped believers grow—provides the historical/background basis for calling Apollos a ‘servant through whom you believed.’
- 1 Cor 12:5-6 (thematic): Speaks of diversities of service/ministries but the same Lord and God who works in all—parallels 3:5’s point that different ministers serve distinct roles ‘as the Lord gave to each.’
- Matt 20:25-28 (thematic): Jesus’ teaching that greatness is expressed in servanthood and that the Son of Man came to serve echoes the theological framing of apostles/teachers as servants given by the Lord in 3:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, each as the Lord gave to him.
- What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, each as the Lord gave to him.
1Cor.3.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- εφυτευσα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- Απολλως: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εποτισεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αλλα: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ηυξανεν·: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- 1 Cor 3:5 (structural): Immediate context: Paul identifies himself and Apollos as the servants through whom the Corinthians came to faith—setting up the ‘I planted; Apollos watered’ contrast.
- 1 Cor 3:7 (verbal): Closely parallel wording and idea: neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is ultimate—‘but God gave the growth’ restates and emphasizes divine agency.
- Mark 4:26-29 (thematic): Parable of the growing seed: the evangelist plants and the sower’s seed grows by mysterious, God-orchestrated growth—paralleling human labor versus divine growth.
- John 15:1-5 (thematic): Vine and branches imagery: fruitfulness ultimately depends on remaining in the vine (Christ) and the vinedresser’s care—echoes dependence on God for growth and fruit.
- Isaiah 55:10-11 (thematic): God’s word compared to rain that causes seed to grow: emphasizes that productive outcome (growth) is the result of God’s action rather than merely human effort.
Alternative generated candidates
- I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.
- I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.
1Cor.3.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ωστε: CONJ
- ουτε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- φυτευων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- ουτε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ποτιζων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- αλλ᾽ο: CONJ
- αυξανων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 3:6 (verbal): Immediate verbal parallel in the same context: 'I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.' 3:7 reiterates that planters and waterers are not what matters—God gives the growth.
- John 15:5 (thematic): Jesus as the vine: 'apart from me you can do nothing.' Emphasizes dependence on Christ/God as the true source of life and fruit, paralleling the claim that God gives growth.
- Mark 4:26-29 (thematic): Parable of the growing seed where the seed sprouts and grows by God's providential process until harvest—underscores that growth comes from God's action rather than human effort.
- Psalm 127:1 (thematic): 'Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.' Expresses the same theological principle that human activity is futile without God's enabling blessing, echoing 1 Cor 3:7's dependence on God for growth.
Alternative generated candidates
- So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
- So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who gives the growth.
1Cor.3.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- φυτευων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ποτιζων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- εκαστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ιδιον: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
- μισθον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- λημψεται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- κατα: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ιδιον: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
- κοπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 3:6 (structural): Immediate context: Paul uses the same planting/watering imagery ('I planted, Apollos watered') and contrasts human labor with God's giving the growth, framing the verse's point about cooperative ministry.
- John 4:36-38 (verbal): Jesus speaks of sowers and reapers and explicitly mentions the one who reaps receiving wages—closely parallels the language and imagery of sowing, reaping, and reward.
- Galatians 6:7-9 (thematic): Paul's principle that one reaps what one sows echoes the same causative relation between labor (sowing/working) and the resulting reward.
- 1 Corinthians 3:14-15 (structural): Same chapter develops the theme of each person's work being tested and receiving reward or loss—'each will receive his reward' corresponds to receiving wages according to labor.
- 2 Corinthians 5:10 (thematic): Eschatological parallel: every person will receive recompense according to what he has done—the theme of judgment/reward according to one's deeds echoes the verse's claim about wages tied to labor.
Alternative generated candidates
- The one who plants and the one who waters are one, and each will receive his own reward according to his labor.
- The one who plants and the one who waters are one, and each will receive his own reward according to his labor.
1Cor.3.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- εσμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- συνεργοι·θεου: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- γεωργιον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- οικοδομη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 6:1 (verbal): Uses the same formulation 'we are God's coworkers' (συνεργοὶ γὰρ ἐσμεν θεοῦ), directly echoing the language of partnership in divine ministry.
- Ephesians 2:21-22 (structural): Presents the church as a building in which believers are fitted together and become a dwelling for God—paralleling 'God's building' language and the corporate, constructed image of the community.
- John 15:5 (thematic): Employs an organic agricultural metaphor (vine and branches) to describe believers' relationship to Christ and dependence on divine life, resonating with 'God's field' imagery.
- 1 Corinthians 3:6 (thematic): 'I planted, Apollos watered' continues the agricultural imagery in the immediate context, highlighting cooperative labor in God's field and the distribution of roles among servants of God.
- 1 Corinthians 3:16 (structural): Declares 'you are God's temple' (οἶκος τοῦ θεοῦ), a closely related building/temple image that reinforces the idea of the community as God's sacred, constructed dwelling.
Alternative generated candidates
- For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
- For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
1Cor.3.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Κατα: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- χαριν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- δοθεισαν: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,acc,sg,f
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- ως: ADV
- σοφος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- αρχιτεκτων: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- θεμελιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εθηκα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- αλλος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- εποικοδομει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εκαστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- βλεπετω: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
- πως: ADV
- εποικοδομει·: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 3:11 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same passage: develops the foundation motif, stating that no one can lay a different foundation than the one already laid (Jesus Christ).
- 1 Corinthians 3:6 (thematic): Similar cooperative-ministry language — 'I planted, Apollos watered' — which parallels 'I laid a foundation, and another is building,' emphasizing different roles in building the church.
- 1 Corinthians 3:9 (verbal): Uses the same building imagery ('we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building'), connecting Paul’s architect/founder language to the corporate identity of the church.
- Ephesians 2:20 (allusion): Speaks of the church being built on a foundation (apostles and prophets) with Christ as cornerstone; echoes the architectural/foundational metaphor for Christ and ministry roles.
- Matthew 7:24-27 (thematic): Parable of the wise and foolish builders: the importance of a sound foundation for a house parallels Paul’s concern with how the church is founded and built.
Alternative generated candidates
- According to the grace of God given to me, I laid a foundation as a wise master builder, and another is building upon it. But let each one take heed how he builds upon it.
- According to the grace of God given to me, I laid a foundation as a wise master builder, and another is building upon it. But let each one take heed how he builds upon it.
1Cor.3.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- θεμελιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- γαρ: PART
- αλλον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- ουδεις: PRON,nom,sg,m
- δυναται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- θειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- παρα: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κειμενον: PART,perf,pass,acc,sg,m
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Χριστος·: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Eph.2.20 (verbal): Identifies Christ as the foundation/cornerstone of the church—language of foundation and Christ as the defining basis of the building closely parallels Paul’s claim that no other foundation can be laid.
- Isa.28.16 (allusion): Prophetic image of God laying a tested, precious stone as a foundation/cornerstone; NT writers apply this foundational stone to Christ, echoing the foundational language of 1 Cor 3:11.
- 1Pet.2.6 (allusion): Quotes Isaiah’s cornerstone language and explicitly applies it to Jesus (‘a chosen cornerstone’), reinforcing the NT theme that Christ is the singular foundation.
- Matt.7.24-27 (thematic): Uses building/foundation imagery (house on rock vs. sand) to teach the necessity of a proper foundation—parallels Paul’s insistence that Christ is the true foundation for the community of faith.
- Matt.16.18 (thematic): Jesus’ promise to build his church ‘on this rock’ links the identity and stability of the church to a foundational rock—complements Paul’s claim that Jesus Christ is the one foundation.
Alternative generated candidates
- For no one can lay any other foundation than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
- For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Cor.3.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- εποικοδομει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- επι: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεμελιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- χρυσον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αργυρον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- λιθους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- τιμιους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- ξυλα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- χορτον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- καλαμην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 7:24-27 (thematic): Uses the building/foundation metaphor—wise/foolish builders—to emphasize that the quality of the foundation and construction determines endurance, paralleling the contrast between enduring (gold, silver, precious stones) and perishable materials.
- Luke 6:47-49 (thematic): Parallel account of Jesus' teaching about building on a rock versus sand; reinforces the theme that proper foundation and sound construction yield stability like the durable materials listed in 1 Cor 3:12.
- Ephesians 2:19-22 (structural): Describes the church as a building fitted together on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ as cornerstone, echoing 1 Cor 3's imagery of believers being built on a foundation (Christ) with varying materials/workmanship.
- Isaiah 28:16 (allusion): Old Testament foundation/cornerstone motif (‘a tested stone, a precious cornerstone’) provides the theological background for Paul’s claim that the foundation is Christ and for the valuation of ‘precious’ materials in 1 Cor 3:12.
- Revelation 21:19-21 (verbal): Lists precious stones as the foundations of the New Jerusalem; closely parallels the concrete imagery of gold and precious stones in 1 Cor 3:12 and the motif of building with costly, enduring materials.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw,
- Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw—
1Cor.3.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- εκαστου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εργον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- φανερον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- γενησεται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- γαρ: PART
- ημερα: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- δηλωσει·οτι: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- πυρι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- αποκαλυπτεται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- εκαστου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εργον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- οποιον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πυρ: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,neut
- δοκιμασει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (structural): Immediate context: expands the same idea—various building materials (gold, silver, wood) are tested by fire and each builder's work is shown and judged.
- 2 Corinthians 5:10 (thematic): Both passages teach that all must appear before Christ's judgment and receive recompense according to their works.
- Malachi 3:2-3 (allusion): Uses the image of a refiner's fire that tests and purifies—background imagery for divine testing by fire in 1 Cor 3:13.
- 1 Peter 1:7 (verbal): Speaks of faith being tested by fire so that it may result in praise—parallels the motif of testing by fire to reveal true quality.
- Matthew 3:11-12 (thematic): John's prophecy of fire that separates and burns up chaff echoes the purgative/judicial aspect of divine fire that exposes and consumes inferior works.
Alternative generated candidates
- each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done.
- each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.
1Cor.3.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τινος: PRON,gen,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εργον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- μενει: VERB,pres,subj,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εποικοδομησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- μισθον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- λημψεται·: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- 1Cor.3.13 (structural): Immediate context: the fire will test each person’s work, and if the work endures the testing the builder 'will receive a reward,' directly explaining how a work 'remains' leads to reward.
- 1Cor.3.8 (verbal): Same chapter teaching: 'each will receive his own reward according to his labor,' echoing the idea that individual labor/works determine reward.
- Rev.22.12 (verbal): Close verbal and thematic parallel: 'Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be,' linking eschatological recompense to one’s works.
- Matt.16.27 (thematic): Eschatological judgment motif: the Son of Man 'will repay everyone according to his works,' reflecting the principle that deeds determine final recompense.
- Col.3.23-24 (thematic): Practical ethic: servants are to work as for the Lord 'knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward,' connecting faithful labor to a divinely given reward.
Alternative generated candidates
- If the work that someone has built endures, he will receive a reward.
- If the work which anyone has built on the foundation remains, he will receive a reward.
1Cor.3.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τινος: PRON,gen,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εργον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- κατακαησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- ζημιωθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,3,m
- δε: CONJ
- σωθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- ουτως: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- ως: ADV
- δια: PREP
- πυρος: NOUN,gen,sg,neut
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 5:10 (thematic): Allusion to final assessment of believers' works: each will appear before Christ's judgment seat to receive recompense for deeds—parallels the testing of builders' work and possible loss.
- Malachi 3:2-3 (verbal): The Lord is pictured as a refiner's fire who will purify and judge; the image of fire testing and purifying closely parallels 'saved... as through fire.'
- 1 Peter 1:7 (thematic): Faith is described as being tested by fire so that it may result in praise and salvation—echoes the motif of being saved though one's work/faith is tested by fire.
- Zechariah 13:9 (allusion): God speaks of bringing a remnant 'through the fire' and refining them, a prophetic background for NT language of purification and survival through fiery testing.
Alternative generated candidates
- If someone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; yet he himself will be saved, but as through fire.
- If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
1Cor.3.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Ουκ: PART,neg
- οιδατε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- ναος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- οικει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 6:19 (verbal): Paul repeats the idea that believers' bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, a close verbal and conceptual parallel reinforcing indwelling presence.
- 2 Corinthians 6:16 (verbal): Paul likewise calls the community 'the temple of the living God' and cites God's dwelling among his people, echoing 1 Cor 3:16 language and theme.
- John 14:17 (verbal): Jesus speaks of the Spirit 'dwelling with you and in you,' a Johannine parallel to the claim that God's Spirit dwells in believers.
- Ezekiel 37:27 (allusion): The promise that God will make his dwelling among his people ('my dwelling shall be with them') resonates with Paul's assertion of God's Spirit dwelling in the community.
- Leviticus 26:11-12 (allusion): God's covenantal pledge to 'dwell among you' and be their God provides the Old Testament background for Paul's temple/dwelling imagery.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
- Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
1Cor.3.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ναον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- φθειρει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- φθερει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τουτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος·ο: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- ναος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αγιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- οιτινες: PRO,rel,nom,pl,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
Parallels
- 1 Cor.6.19 (verbal): Directly echoes the idea that believers' bodies are God’s temple/temple of the Holy Spirit — reinforces holiness and personal indwelling language ('you are') found in 3:17.
- 2 Cor.6.16 (verbal): Uses the same phrase 'temple of the living God' and links the community of believers to God’s dwelling, supporting Paul’s identification of the congregation as holy space.
- John 2.19-21 (allusion): Jesus’ saying about destroying and raising the 'temple' (his body) provides an earlier use of temple-imagery for God’s presence in a person and anticipates the New Testament reapplication of 'temple' to Christ and to believers.
- Eph.2.21-22 (structural): Develops the building/dwelling metaphor: the whole structure is built into a habitation of God, paralleling Paul’s use of temple imagery to describe the Christian community as God’s holy dwelling.
- Acts 17.24-25 (thematic): Paul’s proclamation that God does not dwell in man-made temples contrasts and complements 3:17: rather than a stone temple, God’s dwelling is now the holy community/individuals, explaining the seriousness of defiling that temple.
Alternative generated candidates
- If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
- If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.
1Cor.3.18 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Μηδεις: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εαυτον: PRON,acc,sg,masc,reflex
- εξαπατατω·ει: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg + CONJ
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- δοκει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- σοφος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- αιωνι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- τουτω: DEM,dat,sg,m
- μωρος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- γενεσθω: VERB,aor,mid,imp,3,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- γενηται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- σοφος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Romans 1:22 (verbal): Uses almost identical wording and idea: those who 'claim to be wise' become fools—same rhetorical move about human wisdom's failure.
- 1 Corinthians 1:20 (allusion): Paul's broader polemic against worldly wisdom—'Where is the one who is wise?'—sets the context for 3:18's admonition against trusting age-bound wisdom.
- 1 Corinthians 1:25 (thematic): Expresses the paradox that God's 'foolishness' is wiser than human wisdom, supporting 3:18's call for becoming 'foolish' in worldly terms to attain true wisdom.
- 1 Corinthians 4:10 (structural): Paul and his coworkers embrace being 'fools for Christ'; reflects the practical outworking of 3:18's valuation of seeming foolishness for gospel sake.
- James 3:13-17 (thematic): Contrasts earthly, bitter, self-seeking 'wisdom' with wisdom from above—echoes 3:18's critique of worldly wisdom and its moral/spiritual consequences.
Alternative generated candidates
- Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
- Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool so that he may become wise.
1Cor.3.19 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- γαρ: PART
- σοφια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κοσμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τουτου: DEM,gen,sg,m
- μωρια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- παρα: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- εστιν·γεγραπται: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg+VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
- γαρ·Ο: PART+ART,nom,sg,m
- δρασσομενος: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,sg,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- σοφους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- πανουργια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αυτων·: PRON,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Job 5:13 (quotation): Direct source quoted by Paul: 'He takes the wise in their own craftiness' (LXX/Hebrew), used to show human wisdom is caught by God.
- 1 Corinthians 1:20 (verbal): Close verbal and thematic link within Corinthians: Paul challenges 'Where is the wise?' and exposes the impotence of worldly wisdom before God.
- 1 Corinthians 1:25 (thematic): Develops the same contrast: 'For the foolishness of God is wiser than men,' reinforcing that worldly wisdom is inferior to God's wisdom.
- Isaiah 29:14 (allusion): Prophetic parallel: God will 'destroy the wisdom of the wise' and nullify human understanding—similar motif of God overturning human wisdom.
- Jeremiah 9:23-24 (thematic): Warning against boasting in human wisdom, strength or riches; glory is to be in knowing God—echoes Paul's devaluation of worldly wisdom.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their craftiness;'
- For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, 'He takes the wise in their own craftiness.'
1Cor.3.20 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- παλιν·Κυριος: ADV+NOUN,nom,sg,m
- γινωσκει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- διαλογισμους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- σοφων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- ματαιοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Psalm 94:11 (quotation): Direct source quoted or alluded to by Paul: 'The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are vanity,' matching the wording and idea of 1 Cor 3:20.
- Job 5:13 (quotation): Closely paired in Paul’s proof (1 Cor 3:19–20); Job 5:13 ('He takes the wise in their own craftiness') supplies the preceding citation that together with Psalm 94:11 forms Paul’s argument.
- Jeremiah 17:10 (thematic): Both stress God’s searching knowledge of the heart and mind: 'I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins,' paralleling the idea that God knows human thoughts.
- Psalm 139:2–4 (thematic): Speaks of God’s intimate knowledge of inner life ('You know my sitting down and my rising up... there is not a word on my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, you know it altogether'), echoing the theme that God knows human thoughts.
- Hebrews 4:13 (thematic): Affirms that nothing is hidden from God’s sight and that all things are open to him—comparable to Paul’s assertion that the Lord knows the thoughts of the wise.
Alternative generated candidates
- and again, 'The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are worthless.'
- And again, 'The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.'
1Cor.3.21 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ωστε: CONJ
- μηδεις: PRON,nom,sg,m
- καυχασθω: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- ανθρωποις·παντα: NOUN,dat,pl,m;ADJ,nom,pl,n
- γαρ: PART
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 1:31 (verbal): Directly contrasts human boasting with boasting in the Lord—Paul cites Scripture to redirect boastfulness from men to God.
- 1 Corinthians 1:12–13 (structural): Earlier in the same letter; the factional claims ('I am of Paul/Apollos') set up the very problem—boasting in human leaders—that 3:21 rejects.
- 1 Corinthians 3:22–23 (structural): Immediate continuation of 3:21; specifies what 'all things are yours' means (Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and ultimately Christ and God), reinforcing the point that nothing belongs to human boast.
- Jeremiah 9:23–24 (thematic): Denounces boasting in wisdom, might, or riches and redirects boasting to knowledge of the Lord—an Old Testament analogue to Paul's anti‑boasting emphasis.
- Galatians 6:14 (thematic): Paul refuses to boast in human achievements or status and instead boasts only in the cross of Christ, echoing the principle of not boasting in men.
Alternative generated candidates
- So then let no one boast in men. For all things are yours—
- Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours—
1Cor.3.22 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ειτε: CONJ
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ειτε: CONJ
- Απολλως: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ειτε: CONJ
- Κηφας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ειτε: CONJ
- κοσμος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ειτε: CONJ
- ζωη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ειτε: CONJ
- θανατος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ειτε: CONJ
- ενεστωτα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- ειτε: CONJ
- μελλοντα: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,n
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
Parallels
- 1 Cor 3:21-23 (structural): Immediate context: Paul rebukes boasting in human leaders and concludes with the claim that ‘all things are yours’ and that ‘you are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s,’ which frames v.22's catalogue.
- 1 Cor 1:12 (thematic): Earlier in the same letter Paul cites divisions over Paul, Apollos, and Cephas—1 Cor 1:12 provides the background for the list of leaders named in v.22.
- Romans 14:7-8 (thematic): ‘Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s’ echoes the life/death contrast in 3:22 and the theological claim of belonging expressed there.
- Psalm 24:1 (allusion): ‘The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof’ parallels the idea that the world (and its contents) belong ultimately to the Lord—and so are ‘yours’ in Christ.
- 1 Cor 6:19-20 (thematic): ‘You are not your own…you were bought with a price’ resonates with the concluding ownership motif of 3:22–23: believers belong to Christ and through him to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, whether the world or life or death, whether things present or things to come—all are yours;
- whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present or things to come; all are yours.
1Cor.3.23 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- δε: CONJ
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 3:22 (verbal): Immediate context and near-verbatim parallel—verse 22 lists 'all are yours,' concluding with the identical affirmation 'and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.'
- 1 Corinthians 3:9 (thematic): Same chapter theme of ownership/relationship: believers described as 'God's field' and 'God's building,' emphasizing belonging to God/Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (thematic): Argues believers belong to Christ/God ('you are not your own... you were bought with a price'), reinforcing the ethical implications of being Christ's and ultimately God's.
- Romans 14:8 (thematic): Affirms the same possession-theme in worship/life language ('whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s'), paralleling the declaration that believers belong to Christ (and thereby to God).
Alternative generated candidates
- and you are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
- And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
Brothers, I could not speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not ready; and even now you are not ready,
for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly and do you not walk like mere men?
For when one says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not merely human?
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, and each as the Lord assigned to him.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive his own reward according to his labor.
For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it.
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
each worker’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it is revealed by fire—and the fire will test what sort of work each one’s is.
If the work that someone has built survives, he will receive a reward.
If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and that temple you are.
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”
and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.” So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours,
whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, whether the world or life or death, whether the present or the future—all are yours,
and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.