1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. I. TO MINISTERS (ver. 11). 1. Ministers are to preach as the foundation — Christ. Recollect what Paul's own Christianity was: a few facts respecting his Redeemer's life, a few of his Master's precepts out of which he educed all Christian principles, and on which he built all that noble superstructure — his Epistles. Remember how he sums all up (Philippians 3:10). His life, death, and resurrection, working daily in us, "being made manifest in our body." Christianity is Christ; understand Him, breathe His spirit, comprehend His mind; Christianity is a life, a spirit. Let self die with Christ, and with Him rise to a life of holiness, and then you need not care what discussions may arise; you stand upon a rock. 2. On this foundation we are to build the superstructure. Christianity is a few living pregnant principles, and on these you may construct various buildings. Christianity is capable of endless application to different circumstances, ages and intellects. Now in the words of ver. 12, observe that there are not six kinds of superstructure, but two: gold, silver and precious stones, the materials of the temple; wood, hay and stubble, of a cottage; but in these buildings the materials of each are of various degrees of excellence, and the latter, good, bad and indifferent. Now what do these symbolise? Perhaps doctrines or systems; but more probably persons. Some of straw, utterly worthless; some of silver, sound, good, but not brilliant men; some of gold, characters true to the very centre; some of precious stones, men in whom gifts are so richly mingled with useful qualities that they are as jewels in the Redeemer's crown. And such was the author of this Epistle. 3. Now there follows from all this the doctrine of the rewardableness of work. All were one, on the one foundation; yet they were not one, in such a sense that all their work was equally valuable, for, "every man shall receive his own reward according to his labour." Therefore, Christian men, work on — your work is not in vain. A cup of cold water, given in the name of a disciple, shall not lose its reward. 4. There is also here a distinction between the truth of work and its sincerity. In that day nothing shall stand but what is true; but the sincere worker, even of untrue work, shall be saved (ver. 15). Sincerity shall save him in that day, but it cannot accredit his work. But what is this day? Generally speaking, time; more particularly the trial day, which every advent is, and especially the last. Nothing gilded or varnished will remain; for just as fire burns straw so must all that is not based on the truth perish. Then elaborate systems of theology shall be tried and found worthless. Then many a Church order, elaborately contrived, shall be found something unnecessarily added to the foundation, and overlying it. And then many a minister, who has prided himself on the number of his listeners, will be stripped of his vain-glory, if that which seems to be souls won for God, turns out to be only hearts won for self. II. TO CONGREGATIONS. 1. A warning against all ministers who should so teach as to split the Church into divisions (ver. 21). 2. A warning against sectarianism, on the ground of Christian liberty (ver. 21). Man enters this world, finding himself in the midst of mighty forces of which he seems the sport and prey. But soon Christianity reveals to him God's will, which makes these things co-operate for his good. And so he learns his own free-will, and uses them as the sailor does the winds, which as he uses them become his enemies or his friends. Then it is that he is emancipated from the iron bondage to circumstances: then all things are his — this marvellous life, so full of endless meaning, so pregnant with infinite opportunities. Still more death, which seems to come like a tyrant, to lead hint to higher life. Paul is his, to teach him freedom. Apollos his, to animate him with his eloquence. Cephas his, to fire him with his courage. Every author his, to impart to him his treasures. 3. St. Paul refers all this to the universal law of sacrifice: all things are ours on this condition — that we are Christ's. The law which made Christ God's has made us Christ's. (F. W. Robertson, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.WEB: For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ. |
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