Scripture Reading: 1 Cor. 3:10; 4:1-2, 9, 13; 6:16-20; 9:9-10, 24-27
Ⅰ
The apostle Paul was a wise master builder, a chief craftsman—1 Cor. 3:10:
A
The Lord builds the church not directly but through His ministers, even through every member of His Body—Matt. 16:18; Eph. 4:16.
B
By the grace of God Paul was a wise master builder who had laid the unique foundation, Christ, for others to build upon—1 Cor. 3:10.
Ⅱ
The believers are symbolized by stewards—4:1-2:
A
The Greek word for steward is of the same root as the word for economy in Ephesians 1:10 and 1 Timothy 1:4; the word means "a dispensing steward, a household administrator, who dispenses the household supply to its members."
B
A steward is a dispenser, one who dispenses the divine life supply to God's children—Luke 12:42; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 4:10.
C
In the dispensing ministry it is most important that stewards be found faith-ful—1 Cor. 4:2; Matt. 24:45; 25:21:
１
Faithfulness, which means fidelity, trustworthiness, is shown toward the Lord and is for reigning in the kingdom—Gal. 5:22; Titus 2:10; Matt. 24:45, 47; 25:21; Rev. 17:14.
２
The faithful stewards are one with the faithful God and are constituted with Him as their faithfulness—2 Cor. 1:18-19; 1 Cor. 1:9; 2 Tim. 2:13.
Ⅲ
The believers are symbolized by a spectacle—1 Cor. 4:9:
A
The Greek word for spectacle refers to a show, a display, made in a theatrical way for entertainment; this also is a metaphor, referring to the fights between criminals and wild animals in the Roman amphitheater.
B
The apostles were such a spectacle to the whole universe.
C
In the New Testament all the overcoming believers are likened to such a spectacle, a gazingstock for the public—Heb. 10:33.
D
We who enjoy Christ have become as criminals in the sight of men for their enjoyment, but in the sight of God Christ is our destiny for our enjoyment.
Ⅳ
The believers are symbolized by the offscouring of the world and the scum of all things—1 Cor. 4:13:
A
Offscouring denotes that which is thrown away in cleaning; hence, refuse, filth; scum denotes that which is wiped off; hence, rubbish, refuse.
B
Both offscouring and scum are used metaphorically regarding condemned criminals.
C
In 1 Corinthians 4:13 Paul likens the apostles to the lowest animals, to off-scouring, scum, rubbish, refuse.
Ⅴ
The believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit—6:16-20:
A
The temple of God in 3:16 refers to the church corporately, whereas the temple of the Holy Spirit in 6:19 refers to the individual believers, in particular, a believer's body.
B
The Holy Spirit is in our spirit, and our spirit is within our body; hence, our body becomes a temple, a dwelling place, of the Holy Spirit—Rom. 8:16.
C
To glorify God in our body is to allow God, who dwells in us, to occupy and saturate our body and express Himself through our body as His temple—1 Cor. 6:20; 1 John 4:13.
D
The key to our being a temple of the Holy Spirit is that the indwelling Spirit of the resurrected Christ imparts life to our mortal bodies—Rom. 8:11.
Ⅵ
The believers are symbolized by threshing oxen—1 Cor. 9:9-10:
A
Paul quotes Deuteronomy 25:4 and applies it to the present situation, in particular, to those who labor in serving the Lord.
B
According to the type in Genesis 1:24, the cattle and the animals are a higher life that can accomplish something for God's purpose:
１
The ox typifies Christ as the One who bore responsibility and labored faithfully for the accomplishing of God's will—Matt. 20:28; John 6:38.
２
Through growth in the divine life, the believers are able to live on earth a life that is useful for the fulfillment of God's will—1 Cor. 15:58.
C
Instead of being muzzled, threshing oxen should be free to eat what is under their threshing—9:9.
Ⅶ
The believers are symbolized by contenders in a game—vv. 25-27:
A
The incorruptible crown, which the Lord will reward to His overcoming saints, is a reward—the crown of righteousness—in addition to salvation—2 Tim. 4:8.
B
In order to obtain this incorruptible crown, we must exercise strict self-control in all things and contend lawfully—1 Cor. 9:25-27; Gal. 5:22-23; 2 Tim. 2:5.
Ⅷ
The believers are symbolized by runners in a race—1 Cor. 9:24; Heb. 12:1:
A
The Christian life is a race, and we need to run this race to receive the prize, the crown of righteousness, which the Lord will award to his overcoming saints, who finish their course—Phil. 3:12-14; Acts 20:24.
B
The apostle Paul finished his course and obtained the prize—2 Tim. 4:7-8.
C
As we are running with endurance the race set before us, we need to receive grace and look away unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith—Heb. 12:1-2, 28.