Paul moves from the nature of the Christian Gospel (chapters 2) to that of the Christian Ministry. That is basically his theme in the remainder of this chapter and right through chapter 4. We shall endeavour to understand the nature of the office of minister for it is not viewed today by either the majority of its occupants nor by the flock of God as it is set forth here by the apostle Paul.
Paul had shown that they were yet carnal by the divisions amongst them, verse 3. The divisions centred upon their dividing into parties centred upon the ministers that had laboured amongst them, v. 4.
Paul asks the question:— Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, verse 5. His answer informs us as what a minister is.
I. THE CHARACTER OF A MINISTER’S DUTIES
Three words are used by Paul to describe his duties and to show that ministers are but instruments by which God carries on His work in the souls of men. God has often used angels but there is a role for man which no angel may perform. Cornelius, Acts 10:3-5.
1. He was a servant, verse 5. The word minister means one who carries out the commands of another. The Greek word is diakonos {dee-ak’-on-os} comes from an obsolete word, diako — to run on errands.
2. He was a labourer, verse 9. It is a lowly toiling in God’s fields.
3. He was a builder, verse 10. The Greek word is architekton {ar-khee-tek’-tone}, the one from which we get architect. He must build according to the divine plan set forth in Holy Scripture. The foundation must be laid, verse 11, and the proper material used in the construction, verse 10, 12.
The work the minister carries on is set down in verses 5 and 8. He is a soul winner, verse 5. By his labours in the gospel sinners are brought to faith in Christ. He is a planter of the seed of truth and thereafter waters it, verse 8.
II. A RIGHT VIEW OF THIS OFFICE WILL CAUSE US TO SEE THAT MAN IS NOTHING AND GOD IS ALL
This view of the minister is far removed from the from the modern view. Many ministers view themselves more as Masters than as servants and many Christians likewise glory in the servant rather than in the One he serves.
1. Let us rightly evaluate the man. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth, verse 7. Too high or too low a view of the minister is a sign of carnality or worldly thinking.
2. Let us strengthen our dependence upon God. Wherever a true minister is to be found there will be cultivation to some measure. But the effect is wrought by God not the minister. But God . . . giveth the increase, verse 7. What grace we have came from God, verse 5. There must be no glorying in the flesh, 1:29, but an utter dependence upon God. It is as it was with Elijah’s sacrifice. He could place the stones, the wood and the bullock in the ordered position but God must send the fire, I Kings 18:31-38.
3. An improper view of the ministry may lead to a neglecting of God’s commands. If you believe that man is merely speaking then you will dismiss the call to repent and believe, you will dismiss the picture of yourself as a sinner, Rom 3:10-19. But though the voice be man’s you would do well to heed and obey.
III. THE MINISTER’S WORK AS THAT OF ALL MEN SHALL BE TRIED ONE DAY
1. There is a truth her for all believers to note. Every man’s work shall be made manifest, verse 13. Though spoken specifically to ministers, all must heed this word for we are all be builders. Let us build into our lives nothing that is not of God. Let us be conformed to Christ, no narrower nor any broader than Him.
2. There will be a manifestation during life’s course. The architect must expect a testing of his construction by the stresses it will be subject to in its usage. Much deceit may be concealed in a building. The collapsing of buildings in S. Korea was caused by sub-standards materials. Stresses exposed the deceit. Life’s stresses will test your faith in Christ. How we react to life’s troubles show what we are, Matt 14:30, Rev 6:16.
3. There is a day when the Lord shall test us, verse 13. Be made manifest means to be brought out into the light. It is the day of Christ, Matt 25:31-33. Could there be a clearer manifestation of who is true and who is false than this? Christ shall stand between the true and the false. He shall be the dividing line. What sort it is, verse 13. It is possible to know what sort of person you are now, James 1:23-24. It is that view of yourself, sinner, we would have you consider.
4. Testing will be followed by reward or loss. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire, verses 14 & 15. How good to know that a true work shall abide the fire of God’s testing.
Therefore it shall abide the attacks of the devil.
Such endurance will be followed by reward, verse 8. Those rewards will consist of the status and responsibilities attained to in the life to come, Matt 25:23.
Those whose life’s labours consisted of nothing more than hay, wood and stubble shall suffer loss. Saved, yes, but suffering the loss of rewards that they could have had. Are you making of your life and privileges what you ought? If your life were now subject to fire what would remain? Have you been dealing with the gold, silver and precious stones of eternity or with the hay, wood and stubble of this life? Luke 12:21, 18:22.
The closing verses of the chapter present a further warning to those whose actions were a marring of the temple of God, the body of believers. The work of the gospel minister is to build up the church and woe unto any who hindered that work, verse 17.
The party spirit, the glorying in men (verse 21), in Corinth threatened to spoil the church. God has ordered all things so as to benefit the church. The whole course of this life’s affairs and the relationship of Christ with the Father and of us with Christ, all is order for our benefits. Let us then cease to arrange ourselves in to parties and factions.