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1 Corinthians 2:14-16 But the NATURAL {psychikos} man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are SPIRITUALLY {pneumatikōs} discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual {pneumatikos} judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

Word Study: Last we saw the difference between the “NATURAL” (psychikos, sensual, psychotic, bestial or animal like) person and the “SPIRITUAL” (pneumatikos, Spirit led) Child of God. The flesh controlled person can not receive the things of the Spirit of God. They are enslaved to the flesh. They have not been set free by faith in Jesus. Jesus said:

(John 8:34-36 LSB) … Truly, truly, I say to you, EVERYONE WHO COMMITS SIN IS THE SLAVE OF SIN. [35] “And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. [36] “So IF THE SON MAKES YOU FREE, YOU WILL BE FREE INDEED.

We are born into this world bound to the flesh and sin. This is the “NATURAL” state. But once you receive Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior, He sends the Holy Spirit to us to cause our new birth and indwell us. Once saved, the “SPIRITUAL” or Spirit led Christian – though they may occasionally sin- are no longer bound to sin but to righteousness. The Apostle said:

(Romans 6:1-2 KJV) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall WE, THAT ARE DEAD {apothnēskō} TO SIN, live any longer therein?

Word Study: The Greek apothnēskō means “to be at the point of death, to kill off”. The word is used for those who physically died, as when Jesus said “Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness and ARE DEAD (apothnēskō)”. When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, sin loses its control over us. We become the possession of God. Though we may have residual sin in our lives, it is not enslaving sin. The Apostle said:

(Romans 6:11-14 NKJV) Likewise you also, RECKON YOURSELVES TO BE DEAD (nekros) INDEED TO SIN, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. [12] Therefore DO NOT LET SIN REIGN IN YOUR MORTAL BODY, that you should obey it in its lusts. [13] And do not present your members [as] instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but PRESENT YOURSELVES TO GOD as being alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness to God. [14] For SIN SHALL NOT HAVE DOMINION OVER YOU, for you are not under law but under grace.

Word Study: Here the Apostle uses a different word for our relationship to sin: we are nekros. This word means “one who has breathed his last, one whose soul is in heaven or hell, without life”. Paul is emphatic:

(Romans 6:17-18 NKJV) But God be thanked that [though] you WERE slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. [18] And having been set free from sin, YOU BECAME SLAVES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

The lost soul is led by the flesh, servants of sin, separated from God. The saved person is led by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, servants of righteousness, bound to God eternally.

When the Apostle says:

vs 15 he that is spiritual {pneumatikos} judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man

he is not saying that we make our own rules as Christians. What he is saying is that – as we follow the Word of God and the Spirit of God – the judgments of this world do not matter. We are servants of God – and we are in the right place because we are walking with God.

Verse 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but WE HAVE {echō, to possess} THE MIND OF CHRIST.

The Holy Spirit and the Book that He wrote – the Bible – is the “MIND OF CHRIST”. We have access to the mind of God in the Scripture. The “MIND OF CHRIST” has at least 7 characteristics that God wants to develop in us:

1. Controlled {praos} and humble {tapeinos}

(Matthew 11:29 KJV) Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I AM MEEK {praos} AND LOWLY {tapeinos} IN HEART: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

2. Sacrificially loving

(John 13:34 NKJV) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, that you also love one another.

(2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, YET FOR YOUR SAKES HE BECAME POOR, that YOU THROUGH HIS POVERTY MIGHT BECOME RICH.

3. Compassionate for the wandering

(Matthew 9:36-38 NKJV) But when He saw the multitudes, He was MOVED WITH COMPASSION {splagchnizomai, have deep sympathy or pity} for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. [37] Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly [is] plentiful, but the laborers [are] few. [38] “Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

4. Faithful and obedient to His calling

(Hebrews 3:1-2 NKJV) Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, [2] WHO WAS FAITHFUL TO HIM WHO APPOINTED HIM, as Moses also [was faithful] in all His house.

5. Passionate in His service

(John 2:17 NKJV) Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE HAS EATEN ME UP.”

Psalm 69:9 (ESV) For ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE HAS CONSUMED ME, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on Me.

6. Enduring and visionary

(Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares [us], and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] LOOKING UNTO JESUS, the author and finisher of [our] faith, who FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM ENDURED THE CROSS, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

7. Unconditionally forgiving

(Luke 23:34 NKJV) Then Jesus said, “FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.

Though They Had Access To The Mind Of Christ,
The Corinthian Believers Did Not Have It

The Corinthians do not actually “HAVE and hold” (echo) the mind of Christ at this time. They have access to it – but are themselves acting foolishly. Saved by Grace, they are not living the Spirit filled life. They are allowing self and the flesh to control them, rather than the Spirit. This is brought out in this chapter.

1 Corinthians 3:1-2 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto SPIRITUAL {pneumatikos}, but as unto CARNAL {sarkikos}, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

Word Study: Paul could not speak to the Corinthian believers as if they were pneumatikos or Holy Spirit led, because they, like Israel when they came out of Egypt, kept going back to Egypt in their minds every time they were challenged. Paul told them they were sarkikos, which means “under the control of animal appetites; depraved, acting like animals”.

When a Christian is first born again, they must be fed basic truths. Paul taught the Corinthians the basic truths of the faith. These are found in:

(Hebrews 6:1-2 NKJV) Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary [principles] of Christ, LET US GO ON to PERFECTION {teleiotēs, the state of the mature}, not laying again the FOUNDATION {themelios, first principles, foundation} of REPENTANCE from dead works and of faith toward God, [2] of the DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS, of LAYING ON OF HANDS, of RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, and of ETERNAL JUDGMENT.

Salvation is by Grace, but GROWTH is by PARTNERSHIP. We as believers must submit ourselves to the Word of God and the Spirit of God to “GO ON to PERFECTION – Christian maturity”.

The JFB Commentary notes, “When building a house one must never leave the foundation; yet to be always laboring in ‘laying the foundation’ would be ridiculous”. The foundational truths on which our faith is built on is:

1. Repentance from dead works and faith toward God: Our works will not save us. Apart from God’s intervention we are spiritually dead, divorced from God. Our own righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Repentance means turning from our own means of salvation and surrendering to God – receiving Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior.

2. The doctrine of baptisms: Jesus was baptized in water, though perfect and holy. Jesus considered it necessary. Baptism is a symbolic washing of a believer in Christ, ordered by Christ. Baptism did not save Jesus, nor does it save the believer in Jesus. But our Lord commands it.

3. Laying on of hands: The laying on of hands is a sacred physical act used to transfer authority, to bless, in prayers for those in need. Under the Old Covenant the sinner laid hands on the animal to be sacrificed to symbolically transfer the sin to the sacrifice (Leviticus 4:24; 16:21). Jesus laid hands on the sick (Luke 4:40) to heal people, and Jesus told us to “lay hands on the sick and they will recover” (Mark 16:18). Our Lord Jesus blessed the children by laying hands on them (Matthew 19:13-15). When ordaining Deacons or Pastors hands are laid on the candidate (Acts 6:6; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6) to transfer authority from the ordained to the candidate. Under the Old Covenant Moses transferred authority to Jacob (Numbers 27:22-23) by laying on of hands.

4. Resurrection of the dead: Though the Old Testament spoke of resurrection of the dead (Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2; Ezekiel 37:12-14), and in particular Job said:

(Job 19:25-26 LSB) As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will rise up over the dust [of this world]. [26] “Even after my skin is destroyed, YET FROM MY FLESH I SHALL BEHOLD GOD

The thought that there was no future resurrection crept into Judaism through the liberal theology of the Sadducees. They rejected all of Scripture BUT the Torah, the five Books of the Law. Jesus proved to the Sadducees that there is a future resurrection, and that all will stand before God one day. Quoting Exodus 3:6 Jesus told them:

(Matthew 22:31-32 LSB) But REGARDING THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, [32] ‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB’? HE IS NOT THE GOD OF THE DEAD, BUT OF THE LIVING.

5. Of eternal judgment: There is a judgment day coming. For the unbeliever, they shall stand before a Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15; John 5:22; Revelation 22:1, 3; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29). For the believer, they shall stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 4:5). One judgment is to damnation, the other to judge the works the believer did in this life.

1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet CARNAL {sarkikos}: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and WALK AS MEN?

Paul started the Corinthians on the “MILK” of the Word of God, teaching them the five foundational truths of Christianity. But he could go no further in their training because they allowed selfish sins of the flesh to control them. Notice the progression of sin. It starts out as “ENVY”, wanting what someone else has rather than enjoying what God has given you. This leads to “STRIFE”, non-productive battles within the assembly of the saints. These things lead to “DIVISIONS”, breaking apart of the harmony of the assembly of God. This is Satanic. When Peter tried to keep Jesus from fulfilling His mission – to Cross – Jesus told Peter:

(Matthew 16:23 KJV) … Get thee behind Me, Satan: THOU ART AN OFFENSE UNTO ME: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Peter was walking according to his own desires, not according to the will of God. So was the Corinthian Church. They had broken into factions. Jesus told us,

(Matthew 12:25 KJV) Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

The reason many Churches today do not flourish is because of the members failing to move forward in application of Scripture in their lives. Internal divisions disrupt the Kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 3:4-8 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not CARNAL {sarkikos}? 5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, EVEN AS THE LORD GAVE TO EVERY MAN? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and EVERY MAN SHALL RECEIVE HIS OWN REWARD ACCORDING TO HIS OWN LABOR

God will not bless division. He gives each person spiritual; gifts, and each person is responsible to use his or her own spiritual gifts in a way that will build up the fellowship of the Kingdom of God. God will reward those who labor for Him at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s HUSBANDRY {geōrgion}, ye are God’s BUILDING.

We are all suppose to be working together for the glory of God. We belong to God. We are “bought with a price. Because of this, glorify God in your body and in your spirit. You belong to God!” (1 Corinthians 6:20).

The Church Belongs To God

The Apostle said that the Church is “God’s HUSBANDRY”. This is the Greek geōrgion, which means “a cultivated field, a garden”. In John 15:5 Jesus told us:

(John 15:5 KJV) I am the Vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.

As children of God, if we “ABIDE IN CHRIST” then we will produce fruit that glorifies God our Father. If we do NOT produce fruit, Jesus said,

(John 15:1-2 KJV) … My Father is the {Gardener}. [2] Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit {the Father} taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, He {prunes} it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

The Church is the Garden of God. The members that will not bear fruit to the glory of God will be cut away – sometimes even to physical death. The members that bear fruit will be pruned – tried and tested – so they can bear even more fruit. God is continually working on His Church. We are His BUILDING {oikodomē, that which He is growing}.

The Judgment Seat Of Christ

Now Paul begins to speak of the judgment that every believer will go through: The Judgment Seat of Christ. Paul laid the foundation in Corinth – as He should – on Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:10-11 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, WHICH IS JESUS CHRIST

The foundation of every person’s faith is Jesus Christ. Once saved we begin to build on that foundation. Everything built on that Foundation is to be honoring to Jesus Christ. We live to bring glory and honor to our Savior. We do the things we do to honor Jesus. Christ is the Foundation of the Church. Christ is the Foundation of the Christian Way of Life. Christ is the Rock on which we are to be built. It is His Word that brings stability to the Life we have. We are to do His Word for blessing in this life:

Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV) Everyone then who HEARS these words of Mine and DOES them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who HEARS these words of mine and DOES NOT DO them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

The Judgment Seat of Christ does not determine if we as Christians are saved or not. It determines the quality of the works we did for Jesus.

1 Corinthians 3:12-13 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 EVERY MAN’S WORK SHALL BE MADE MANIFEST: for the day shall declare it, because it shall BE REVEALED BY FIRE; and THE FIRE SHALL TRY EVERY MAN’S WORK of what sort it is.

There are six materials listed here. Gold, silver, and precious stones are QUALITY materials all found in the building of the Temple in Israel. These are materials worthy of the Foundation that is Christ. Wood, hay, and stubble are POOR materials.

When wood was used in the Temple of Israel it was overlayed by gold or precious stones.

When you stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ it is not the QUANTITY of works that are judged but the QUALITY of the works. When you look at this list it can be divided into two categories:

Fireproof or Inflammable
Eternal or Temporal
Worshiping Jesus or Pleasing Men
Willing Service orLittle or No Service
Generosity or Stinginess & Self Centeredness

Illustrate A wealthy woman died one day and went to heaven. Jesus took her to her heavenly abode, which was a plain old ordinary building. Right next door to her was her gardener who had a palatial mansion. She said, “How did my gardener get a mansion and I get a plain old ordinary building?” Jesus said, “Well, I built with the material you sent Me”. Don’t expect a mansion if you gave little or nothing to Jesus in this life.

What is the FIRE that judges our works? The Book of Revelation describes Jesus in glory this way:

Revelation 19:12-13 (KJV) HIS EYES WERE AS A FLAME OF FIRE, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself. 13 And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God.

Jesus – the Word of God will intensely examine our works. The works we did for the glory of God will be purified by fire. But the works we did that were out of self and pride will burn under the gaze of our Master.

1 Corinthians 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, HE SHALL RECEIVE A REWARD.

This reward is spoken of several times in Scripture. For instance, Paul wrote:

Colossians 3:23-25 (KJV) And whatsoever ye do, DO IT HEARTILY, AS TO THE LORD, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that OF THE LORD YOUN SHALL RECEIVE THE REWARD of the inheritance: for YE SERVE THE LORD CHRIST. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

What you reap, you will sow. If you strive to serve Jesus from the heart – even if you do so imperfectly – Jesus will know your heart and reward you accordingly. We are to do our best – our best – for His glory. BUT if our works do not stand up to Jesus’ judgment, we have this assurance:

1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED; yet so as by fire.

Unlike the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15), this is not a judgment for eternal life. This is a judgment of temporal works, and it determines whether there will be eternal rewards for those works or not. If your works do not stand up to Christ’s judgment, the work itself will burn up – and with in your reward. But rest assured – only the poorest of Christians, the most carnal, will leave the Judgment Seat without some type of reward. May God touch your hearts with His Word.