EGW Writings1 Corinthians 3

The Voice in Speech and Song

Paul

VSS 374.2

Paul had necessarily adapted his manner of teaching to the condition of the church. “I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual,” he afterward explained to them, “but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:1.—The Acts of the Apostles, 270, 271.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 20 [Nos. 1420-1500]

MR No. 1490—Minds to Be Spiritual, Not Carnal: The Cross to Be Central in Preaching; Fanaticism and Trivial Ideas to Be Avoided

20MR 335.2

Paul writes, “I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it.... For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).

20MR 335.4

“For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?” (Verse 4). Their contentions did not reveal growth in grace, but a narrow, limited comprehension, a defective experience. “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one” (Verses 5-8). He who is a partaker of the divine nature will not seek to stand at the head of a party. True workers for God will not attract men to themselves, but to Christ. They will preach the truth which makes all men one in Christ Jesus.

20MR 335.5

“And every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor” (Verse 8). “Ye shall know them by their fruits,” Christ declared. “Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire” (Matthew 7:16-19).

20MR 336.3

The Lord meets men where they are. The Apostle declares, “We are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9). The Holy Spirit teaches those who are willing to be taught, not only what they should impart but how they should impart. To the believing Christian the highest purest instruction is given. Heavenly wisdom is imparted to him.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 10 [Nos. 771-850]

MR No. 814—Marriage and the Christian Home

10MR 186.5

Paul continues: [1 Corinthians 3:1-17 quoted.]

10MR 190.2

We read in God’s Word: [2 Corinthians 6:14-16 quoted]. If we follow Christ, His Holy Spirit will work and speak through us and we will be living epistles, known and read of all men. [2 Corinthians 7:1: Leviticus 26:11, 12: and 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17 quoted.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 231, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 231, 1903, par. 15

“If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereon, 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. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” [1 Corinthians 3:1-17.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)

Lt 66, 1908

23LtMs, Lt 66, 1908, par. 6

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God,” the apostle continues, “and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy: for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” [1 Corinthians 3:1-17.]

The Acts of the Apostles

Chapter 26—Apollos at Corinth

AA 271.1

Paul had necessarily adapted his manner of teaching to the condition of the church. “I, brethren could not speak unto you as unto spiritual,” he afterward explained to them, “but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 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.” 1 Corinthians 3:1, 2. Many of the Corinthian believers had been slow to learn the lessons that he was endeavoring to teach them. Their advancement in spiritual knowledge had not been proportionate to their privileges and opportunities. When they should have been far advanced in Christian experience, and able to comprehend and to practice the deeper truths of the word, they were standing where the disciples stood when Christ said to them, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” John 16:12. Jealousy, evil surmising, and accusation had closed the hearts of many of the Corinthian believers against the full working of the Holy Spirit, which “searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:10. However wise they might be in worldly knowledge, they were but babes in the knowledge of Christ.

AA 273.3

Paul had sought to impress upon the minds of his Corinthian brethren the fact that he and the ministers associated with him were but men commissioned by God to teach the truth, that they were all engaged in the same work, and that they were alike dependent upon God for success in their labors. The discussion that had arisen in the church regarding the relative merits of different ministers was not in the order of God, but was the result of cherishing the attributes of the natural heart. “While one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3:4-7.

AA 275.1

“Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” Verses 8, 9. In this scripture the apostle compares the church to a cultivated field, in which the husbandmen labor, caring for the vines of the Lord’s planting; and also to a building, which is to grow into a holy temple for the Lord. God is the Master Worker, and He has appointed to each man his work. All are to labor under His supervision, letting Him work for and through His workmen. He gives them tact and skill, and if they heed His instruction, crowns their efforts with success.

AA 280.1

There was danger that this party spirit would result in great evil to the Christian church, and Paul was instructed by the Lord to utter words of earnest admonition and solemn protest. Of those who were saying, “I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ,” the apostle inquired, “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” “Let no man glory in men,” he pleaded. “For all things 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; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” 1 Corinthians 1:12, 13; 3:21-23.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 16 [Nos. 1186-1235]

MR No. 1213—Each Follower of Christ is Called to Work; All are to Copy Christ, the Pattern; Harmony to Prevail

16MR 196.2

All who should receive the truth in the love of the principles of the truth would make straight paths for their feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way. Many for want of meekness and humility and wholehearted kindness, would consider themselves independent atoms, or, as in the days of the apostle Paul, would consider they were to link up with the one man under whose labors they received the light of present truth. 1 Corinthians 3. This whole chapter was the education the apostle was trying to give to those who claimed to believe, and yet a strong spirit had taken possession of them. He did not give them up and let them alone as irreclaimable, but tried to bring them to a better understanding of the spirit that should control their actions as believers in Christ Jesus.

16MR 197.1

All who placed themselves on the side of the one who brought to them light and truth, and refused to be in harmony with their brethren, were not being sanctified through the truth. 1 Corinthians 3:1. The difficulty is plainly stated to warn all believers off this dangerous ground. Those who suppose that they are cemented to the man who brought them the truth, and tie up in separate bundles, need a reconversion as soon as possible, else their claimed conversion is a stumbling block to sinners. [2 Corinthians 3:1-5, quoted.]

16MR 197.3

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” [1 Corinthians 3:6]. These were men ordained of God as His helping hand to do this work; if they became exalted because of their success, and lifted up their souls unto vanity, the Lord would remove their light from them. “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither is he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase” [verse 7]. Now the wise conclusion: “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” [verses 8, 9].

16MR 198.1

Here is our subject matter. “Let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” [verses 10, 11]. Shall one draw apart from his brother for no other reason, only his own misconceived opinions? Would he not much better go apart for himself and think soundly what he is doing in estranging himself from his brethren? This is a much more inconsistent thing to persist in handling, for if he begins in self-confidence to build after certain notions of his own plans and his own desires, without reference to his brethren, he will bring in material and lay on the foundation a mass of suppositions of his own, which is only rubbish.

[1 Corinthians 3:12-15, 18-20, quoted.]

16MR 198.3

“Therefore let no man glory in men.” [1 Corinthians 3:21-23; 4:1-5, quoted.] “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another [showing and talking your preferences, comparing one with another to the detriment of the one you do not prefer]. For who maketh thee to differ from another?” And now comes the grave question: “And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hast not received it?” [verses 6, 7].

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 56, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 56, 1893, par. 13

I speak to you the message that God has given me. “Ye are not your own, ye are bought with a price.” [1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.] And what a price! May the Lord God of Israel help you to see that it is the greatest honor that can be bestowed upon men to have the privilege of linking up with Christ, to wear His yoke, to bear His burden. Hear the Word of the Lord that is spoken to finite, mortal man, “Ye are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] What material are you bringing into this character building? “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever.” [Romans 11:33-36.]

8LtMs, Lt 56, 1893, par. 25

Please read with much prayer the first, second, and third chapters of 1 Corinthians.

8LtMs, Lt 56, 1893, par. 27

“If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise, ... let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours ... and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” [1 Corinthians 3:11-21, 23.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 108, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 108, 1898, par. 2

Read the third chapter of First Corinthians, for it contains a lesson for the church in every place. The apostle says, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God? and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” [Verses 16-19.] “What, know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” [1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 74, 1899

NP

May 11, 1899 [typed]

Portions of this manuscript are published in 6BC 1082, 1086.

14LtMs, Ms 74, 1899, par. 1

The third chapter of First Corinthians should be read with careful and prayerful consideration by every church member. The first and second chapters of this epistle prepare the way for the third, and in this are lessons for every church in our world. The cause of their difficulties is plainly revealed.

14LtMs, Ms 74, 1899, par. 2

Paul longed to speak to the church in Corinth of spiritual things. But to his sorrow he found it in great weakness. The church members could not even bear to hear the truth concerning themselves. “I, brethren,” he said, “could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 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.” The spiritual growth of this people was so dwarfed that a plain “Thus saith the Lord” was an offence to them. Paul knew that by giving them the truth he would be ranked as an accuser and faultfinder. He said, “Ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one said, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” [1 Corinthians 3:1-6.]

14LtMs, Ms 74, 1899, par. 3

These professed converts were not converted. They carried into the church the same dispositions and character which they had before they professed to believe. They were not conformed to the Spirit of Christ. Paul declared to this people, “The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” [1 Corinthians 1:18, 19.]

14LtMs, Ms 74, 1899, par. 4

In the year 1898 we find the same difficulties existing in the church which Paul found in his day, and which prevented him from presenting advanced truths to the people. The messages which the servants of God bring, condemning the selfishness, and the irreligious course of action, and exposing their defects of character, offend them, and they become enemies of their brethren and of the church. They pursue a course which not only leads to the ruin of their own souls, but which deceives others as well. These poor, dwarfed, spiritually feeble souls are under the spell of Satan.

14LtMs, Ms 74, 1899, par. 5

A noble, pure, true character, with all its grand possibilities, has been provided for every soul. But man has not an earnest longing for this character. He is not willing to part with the evil that he may have the good. Great opportunities are placed within his reach. But he neglects to take hold of the blessings which would bring him into conformity with the will of God. He works at cross-purposes with God and with all who seek his good. It is the Lord’s purpose that every God-given faculty shall be recognized and acknowledged by the one to whom the gift is entrusted, and put into the service of God.

14LtMs, Ms 74, 1899, par. 6

There are two classes brought to view in the Word of God—the wise and the foolish. “Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine,” Christ said, “and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock. And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” [Matthew 7:24-27.]

14LtMs, Ms 74, 1899, par. 7

These two classes are again represented in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins—those who receive the oil of grace, and keep their lamps filled and burning, and those who feel no anxiety to be watchful of their words and careful of their behavior. Those who prayerfully study the Word of God, and with a heart of obedience choose to obey, will always have the oil of grace in their vessels with their lamps. They will hear, and be ready to respond to the midnight cry.

14LtMs, Ms 74, 1899, par. 8

God and man must co-operate in the work of character-building. “We are laborers together with God; ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon; for other foundation can no men lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 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.” [1 Corinthians 3:9-13.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Lt 37, 1899

14LtMs, Lt 37, 1899, par. 12

“Ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planted anything, neither he that watered; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one, and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God: Ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 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. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” [1 Corinthians 3:3-11.]

14LtMs, Lt 37, 1899, par. 17

We must abide in Christ and Christ must abide in us, for “we are laborers together with God; ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] Read the whole of the third chapter of First Corinthians. Every word in it is to be understood and appreciated. The Christian work is an individual work. Let no man feel that it is his duty to pick flaws in another man’s work. Cease finding fault. Improve yourself as you think your brethren should improve. It is your privilege to live in Christ, the bread of life. Those who do this will have a wholesome experience, and the light of God will go before them as they do the work specified in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 130, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 130, 1899, par. 13

The third chapter of First Corinthians contains instruction which all who claim to be following Jesus should study. Contentions in the body of believers are not after the order of God. They are the result of the manifestation of the attributes of the natural heart. To all who bring in disorder and disunion the words of Paul are applicable: “I brethren could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 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.” [Verses 1, 2.]

14LtMs, Ms 130, 1899, par. 17

“Ye are yet carnal,” Paul declared, “for whereas there is among you envying and strife and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos, are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man.” [1 Corinthians 3:3-5.] Their contentions revealed that they had not the mind and spirit of Christ, that they were walking after the wisdom of their narrow, conceited minds. Their views and feelings were bound about by selfishness. They did not show the liberality, the generosity, the tenderness, which reveals an abiding Christ.

14LtMs, Ms 130, 1899, par. 19

The Lord would have the soul temple kept free from all defilement. “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise”—in his own eyes—“let him become a fool, that he may be wise.” [Verse 18.] Let him who seeks the highest place learn to think far less of his worldly wisdom, and humble himself, that God may give him the wisdom which is bestowed only when true humility is shown. The world may call him a fool, but God calls him wise; for “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” [Psalm 111:10.] Obedience to God is of far higher value than the estimation of the world.

14LtMs, Ms 130, 1899, par. 21

Paul declares, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” [1 Corinthians 3:6.] Paul preached the gospel first at Corinth. He organized the church there. Apollos came after, winning his way to the hearts of the people, and instructing them. But God alone gave the increase. The success of both came from Him.

14LtMs, Ms 130, 1899, par. 23

“Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one; and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.” [Verse 8.] God, and not man, is the judge of man’s work, and He will apportion to each his just reward. Every man will be rewarded according to his work. It is not given to any human being to judge between the different servants of God. The Lord alone is the judge and the rewarder of every good work.

14LtMs, Ms 130, 1899, par. 24

“Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one,” engaged in the same work—the saving of souls. “We are laborers together with God; ye are God’s husbandry; ye are God’s building.” [Verse 9.] Here the church is compared to a cultivated field, in which the husbandmen are to labor, caring for the vines of the Lord’s planting; and to a building, which is to grow into a holy temple for the Lord. Christ is the Master-worker. All are to work under His supervision, letting Him work for and through His workmen. He gives them tact and skill, and crowns their labor with success if they heed His instructions. None are to complain against God, who has appointed each man his work. He who murmurs and frets, and who wants to alter his fellow laborers to suit his own ideas, needs the divine touch before he is qualified to labor in any line. Unless he is changed, he will surely mar the work.

14LtMs, Ms 130, 1899, par. 28

“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon.” Others afterward bore their message, and gathered in the souls of those who believed and were converted. “But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.” [1 Corinthians 3:10.] God’s servants are to use the greatest care in regard to the doctrines they teach, the example they set, and the influence they exert on those associated with them. The great apostle appeals to the church and to God to witness to the truth and sincerity of his profession. “Ye are my witnesses, and God also,” He says, “how holily and justly and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you.” [1 Thessalonians 2:10.]

14LtMs, Ms 130, 1899, par. 29

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” [1 Corinthians 3:11.] Isaiah declares, “Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste. Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet. And the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.” [Isaiah 28:16, 17.] Christ has been crucified for us. He is the propitiation for our sins. He is the atoning sacrifice, the true, immovable foundation. He has gathered the believers in church capacity, that they may labor unitedly, strengthening and building up one another in the faith.

14LtMs, Ms 130, 1899, par. 30

“Now if any man build upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, 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.” [1 Corinthians 3:12, 13.] It is for our eternal interest to place the right material upon the right foundation. Christ is the great necessity for every one. It will be to the peril of our soul that we mingle selfishness with the offering laid on the foundation. The laborer for God is to do thorough work, that he may present to his fellow workers a pure, clean mind, free from all cheapness, which is represented as wood, hay, and stubble. The work of those who bring their offerings to God in humility and love, depending hour by hour on the grace of Christ to sanctify and cleanse from moral impurities, bears the impress of God, who estimates our work, not according to the outward appearance, but according to the heart-purity brought into it.

14LtMs, Ms 130, 1899, par. 32

The long-expected day of God will soon test every man’s work. “The fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” [Verse 13.] In the great day of God the worthless material will be consumed; but the gold of true, simple, humble faith will never lose its value. It can never be consumed; for it is imperishable. All selfishness, all false religion, will then appear as they are. One hour of transgression will be seen to be a great loss, while the fear of the Lord will be seen to be the beginning of wisdom. The pleasure of self-indulgence will perish as stubble, while the gold of steadfast principle, maintained at any cost, will endure forever.

14LtMs, Ms 130, 1899, par. 42

Stinginess and selfishness are current coin, and are very abundant. God calls them covetousness, which is idolatry. But every man’s work is to be made manifest. God keeps the ledger of heaven, and measures every action and the spirit which prompted it. “If any man’s work abide, which he hath built thereon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work be burned, he shall suffer loss. But he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” [1 Corinthians 3:14, 15.] He may have been, as he thought, a sincere believer of the truth, but notwithstanding this, he has placed worthless material on the foundation stone. Self has been the mainspring of action; and if he is saved at all, it is as though his house, with all his goods, were burned, and he only saved as by fire. But he will be saved only by repentance and conversion.

14LtMs, Ms 130, 1899, par. 44

“Know ye not,” the apostle continues, “that ye are the temple of the Holy Ghost, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” [Verses 16, 17.] Man is God’s workmanship, His masterpiece, created for a high and holy purpose; and on every part of the human tabernacle God desires to write His law with His own Almighty finger. Every nerve and muscle, every mental and physical endowment, is to be kept pure.

14LtMs, Ms 130, 1899, par. 51

When a man accepts Christ as a representative of the Father, his faith makes him a representative of Christ, and to him the words are spoken, “Ye are God’s husbandry; ye are God’s building.” [Verse 9.] “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God that worketh in you, to will and to do of his good pleasure.” [Philippians 2:12, 13.] Those engaged in the work of character-building should educate themselves to acknowledge the workmanship of God. Have faith that you can use every entrusted capability to God’s glory. He has not given us talents to hide away in a napkin. We are to impart as we receive. The mind is to be brought into contact with the things that are unseen. No amount of profession can take the place of honesty and fidelity.

14LtMs, Ms 130, 1899, par. 57

God has purchased every man by the gift of His Son. Our time, our strength, our intellect, our every capability, belongs to God. We are to remember that we are under His control. We are to obey the laws of His kingdom, making of ourselves all that it is possible for us to be. Earnestly we are to cultivate the highest powers of our being, remembering that we are God’s property, God’s building. We are required to improve every day. Even in this world of sin and sorrow, we may, by earnest, persevering effort, rise to the highest spiritual efficiency. “Ye are God’s husbandry; ye are God’s building.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] In spirit and word, in every phase of our character-building, we are to please God. This we may do; for Enoch pleased <God,> though living in a degenerate age. And there are Enochs in this our day.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 67, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 67, 1900, par. 14

The first, second, and third chapters of First Corinthians contain instruction which is of the greatest importance to all who have entered the Lord’s army. After earnestly declaring that the reason [for] the weakness of the church was the envy and strife cherished by the members, Paul points with pain to the result of their course. “Are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” he asks. “For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?” Does not this condemn withdrawing from some, for no reason but that which exists in the imagination, and binding up with others? “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos?” the apostle asks, “but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man. I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase.” [1 Corinthians 3:3-7.]

15LtMs, Ms 67, 1900, par. 15

“Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one.” Although their work may differ in some respects, yet their object is to be the same. “And every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.” [Verse 8.] It may be that one of God’s ministers does not dwell upon the very same things as his brother ministers, but emphasizes some other phase of the truth, or presents the Word in a different way. Should he be condemned for this? And should that minister be afraid of his brethren, thinking that they do not regard him and his exposition of truth as of the highest consequence? Those who allow discord to enter their hearts, who cherish envy and jealousy against their brethren, act as did the Corinthians to whom Paul is speaking.

15LtMs, Ms 67, 1900, par. 25

God is seeking to prepare His people to bear fruit to His glory. Paul says, “We are laborers together with God; ye are God’s husbandry; ye are God’s building.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.]

15LtMs, Ms 67, 1900, par. 26

“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereupon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 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. 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 10-15.] In the day of judgment every man’s work will be seen just as it is. God will then place His estimate upon the work of each one.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 130, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 130, 1901, par. 25

All who should receive the truth in the love of the principles of the truth would make straight paths for their feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way. Many, for want of meekness and humility and wholehearted kindness, would consider themselves independent atoms, or, as in the days of the apostle Paul, would consider they were to link up with the one man under whose labors they received the light of present truth. 1 Corinthians 3. This whole chapter in the Bible was the education the apostle was trying to give to those who claimed to believe in his time, and yet a strong spirit had taken possession of them. He did not give them up and let them alone as irreclaimable, but tried to bring them to a better understanding of the spirit that should control their actions as believers in Christ Jesus. All who placed themselves on the side of the one who brought to them light and truth, and refused to be in harmony with their brethren, were not being sanctified through the truth (1 Corinthians 3:1). The difficulty is plainly stated to warn all believers of this dangerous ground. Those who suppose that they are cemented to the man who brought them the truth, and tie up in separate bundles, need a reconversion as soon as possible, else their claimed conversion is a stumbling block to sinners.

16LtMs, Ms 130, 1901, par. 26

Let us hear the words of Paul: “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 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. For ye are carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?” [Verses 1-5.]

16LtMs, Ms 130, 1901, par. 28

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” [1 Corinthians 3:6.] These were men ordained of God as His helping hand to do this work; if they became exalted because of their success, and lifted up their souls unto vanity, the Lord would remove their light from them. “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” [Verse 7.] Now the wise conclusion: “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” [Verses 8, 9.]

16LtMs, Ms 130, 1901, par. 29

Here is our subject matter. “Let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” [Verses 10, 11.] Shall one draw apart from his brother for no other reason only his own misconceived opinions? Would he not much better go apart by himself and think soundly what he is doing in estranging himself from his brethren? This is a much more inconsistent thing to persist in handling, for if he begins in self-confidence to build after certain notions of his own plans and his own desirings, without reference to his brethren, he will bring in material and lay on the foundation a mass of suppositions of his own, which is only rubbish.

16LtMs, Ms 130, 1901, par. 30

“Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 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. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.” [Verses 12-14.]

16LtMs, Ms 130, 1901, par. 31

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” Now comes the warning: “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.” [Verses 16-20.]

16LtMs, Ms 130, 1901, par. 33

“Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things 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; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified; but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another”—showing and talking your preferences, comparing one with another to the detriment of the one you do not prefer. “For who maketh thee to differ from another?” And now comes the grave question: “And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” [1 Corinthians 3:21-4:7.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 70, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 70, 1901, par. 1

There is a special work to be done at this time. Please read and study carefully the first, second, and third chapters of First Corinthians. I present these chapters as of great importance. The Lord desires His people to understand and practice the instruction they contain.

16LtMs, Ms 70, 1901, par. 2

Paul writes, “I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat; for hitherto ye were not able to bear it. ... For ye are yet carnal; for whereas there is among you envying and strife and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” [1 Corinthians 3:1-3.]

16LtMs, Ms 70, 1901, par. 4

“For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?” [Verse 4.] Their contentions did not reveal growth in grace, but a narrow, limited comprehension, a worthless, <defective> experience. “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one.” [Verses 5-8.] He who is a partaker of the divine nature will not seek to stand at the head of a party. True workers for God will not attract men to themselves, but to Christ. They will preach the truth which makes all men one in Christ Jesus.

16LtMs, Ms 70, 1901, par. 5

“And every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.” [Verse 8.] “Ye shall know them by their fruits,” Christ declared. “Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” [Matthew 7:16-19.]

16LtMs, Ms 70, 1901, par. 8

The Lord meets men where they are. The apostle declares, “We are laborers together with God; ye are God’s husbandry; ye are God’s building.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] The Holy Spirit teaches those who are willing to be taught, not only what they should impart, but how they should impart. To the believing Christian the highest, purest instruction is given. Heavenly wisdom is imparted to him.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 80, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 80, 1902, par. 1

I have read your last letter to me, and the copy of your letter to Brother Shireman. I hope that Brother Shireman will listen to the counsel of his brethren. This will be his safety and his strength. The Lord has not qualified any one of us to bear the burden of the work alone. He has associated together men of different minds, that they may counsel with and assist one another. In this way the deficiency in the experience and the abilities of one is supplied by the experience and the abilities of another. We should all study carefully the instruction given in Corinthians and Ephesians regarding our relation to one another as members of the body of Christ.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 59, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 59, 1902, par. 7

In the night season I was reading to persons who were not in harmony. Among other Scriptures, the third and fourth chapters of First Corinthians were presented before me, and I was calling the attention of the brethren to the subject matter of these Scriptures. I was awakened at one o’clock at night with these chapters impressed upon my mind. Especially was my mind forcibly impressed with the third chapter. The entire chapter, I was instructed, is applicable to the situation.

17LtMs, Ms 59, 1902, par. 8

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 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. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” [1 Corinthians 3:1-9.]

17LtMs, Ms 59, 1902, par. 27

God’s servants are to work not only with their own energy, but with an energy imparted by the Holy Spirit. Co-operating with the Lord Jesus, they are to be “laborers together with God.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] Never are they to spend time in watching for defects to criticize and condemn in those who are endeavoring to put heart and mind and soul into the Master’s service. There are men who are working in the very best way in which they know how to work. These men may make mistakes; but because of their mistakes, their brethren are not to stand by as idle spectators and condemn them. Those who do not try to co-operate with their brethren are spoiling their own experience and dwarfing their own character. The ones who are very free to express words of sharp reproof and discouraging criticism are doing a work that must sometime be repented of. By thus following Satan’s plans, they create in themselves not only an appetite for the forbidden fruit of evil, but also a desire to give this objectionable knowledge to others. They suppose that a knowledge of evil is of advantage, but it is not. A knowledge of good only is essential.

17LtMs, Ms 59, 1902, par. 73

Consider these words: “Every man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labor.” [1 Corinthians 3:8.] Because we are often crossed in our expectations, we are not to be discouraged. Was not Christ often disappointed in work in our world? In patience and hope we are to work together with God, devoting all we have and are to the advancement of His cause. Thus only can we be successful workers for Christ. Now we have the toil and hardship; by and by we shall share in the glorious reward.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Ms 141, 1904

19LtMs, Ms 141, 1904, par. 2

Thank the Lord this morning I have had better rest and sleep the past night, Thursday, than several nights past. I praise the Lord for His great goodness and mercy to me. I open to 1 Corinthians this morning. In this is a lesson for every household and every church. May the words of the apostle encourage us to meet and be thankful that it is our privilege to place ourselves in right relation to God. The letter written by the great apostle Paul comes down the line to our time.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Lt 280, 1906

21LtMs, Lt 280, 1906, par. 25

Read also the third chapter of First Corinthians.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Lt 170, 1906

21LtMs, Lt 170, 1906, par. 13

In the third chapter we read: “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” [Verses 5-9.]

21LtMs, Lt 170, 1906, par. 14

Now if I say “we” and “us,” you may understand what I mean—we are laborers together with God. The whole of the third chapter of First Corinthians needs to be carefully studied. Study every verse of this chapter; for it means much to you and your associates, as well as to me.

21LtMs, Lt 170, 1906, par. 15

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” [Verse 16.] Then why should not I say “we” in a peculiar and significant sense? I myself and you yourself must be united in mind, in heart, in soul, in strength, with heavenly agencies. This is our only hope of success. The less that is said of “I,” the more correct will be our understanding of the great I AM.

21LtMs, Lt 170, 1906, par. 16

“If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” [Verses 17-19.]

21LtMs, Lt 170, 1906, par. 20

At whatever sacrifice of ease or reputation, at whatever sacrifice of property or cost of labor, a Christian must maintain the reformative doctrines of the gospel. In short, if a man is risen with Christ by profession of faith in the Son of God as his Redeemer, he has made a most solemn pledge to maintain these reformative doctrines. As he advances in the Christian life, he will gladly accept the self-denial and self-sacrifice involved. “Ye are laborers together with God.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Ms 128, 1906

21LtMs, Ms 128, 1906, par. 1

On Sabbath day, Elder Haskell spoke to our people in the old Oakland church building, which was mercifully spared us. Sister Haskell spoke to a company assembled at Alameda. Brother Dores Robinson spoke to the Berkeley church. In the afternoon I filled an appointment in Oakland. We had a large, commodious meeting room, which was well filled. I brought before the hearers lessons from the First Epistle to the Corinthians.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Ms 73, 1907

22LtMs, Ms 73, 1907, par. 13

Read also the third chapter of this book, and study and pray over these words. As a people our faith and practice need to be energized by the Holy Spirit. No ruling power that would compel men to obey the dictates of the finite mind should be exercised. “Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils,” the Lord commands. [Isaiah 2:22.] By turning the minds of men to lean on human wisdom, we place a veil between God and man, so that there is not a seeing of Him who is invisible.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Ms 129, 1907

22LtMs, Ms 129, 1907, par. 1

On Sabbath day, Elder Haskell spoke to our people in the old Oakland church building, which was mercifully spared us. Sister Haskell spoke to a company assembled at Alameda. Brother Dores Robinson spoke to the Berkeley church. In the afternoon I filled an appointment in Oakland. We had a large, commodious meeting room, which was well filled. I brought before the hearers lessons from the first epistle to the Corinthians.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)

Ms 128, 1908

23LtMs, Ms 128, 1908, par. 20

Read 1 Corinthians chapter 3. All these Scriptures are essential to instruction in righteousness. The Holy Spirit is needed in this our day, that we may not work, any of us, in our own natural, unconverted spirit, to order or dictate or control God’s laborers, for no such work has been laid upon us. Mistakes may be made by some in their labors through their lack of judgment, but to put up the bars because some one has made a mistake, that all are to be under bands and bars and yokes and the ruling of their fellow men, is a false conception of the Word, and a hundredfold more grievous in the sight of God. To place His servants under the discipline and judgment of fallible men to decide their duty would only stir up confusion and misunderstanding and bring great dishonor to the God of heaven.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 24 (1909)

Ms 111, 1909

24LtMs, Ms 111, 1909, par. 6

We want to ask every one, when you shall go to your homes, to read this second chapter of First Corinthians. Now I will read some of the third:

24LtMs, Ms 111, 1909, par. 7

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:1. Paul could not speak to the Corinthians as if they were in the advanced state, because they had not been laboring to place themselves in right relation to truth, to obtain a right experience that would bring them in close connection with God. We want to learn all that we should learn. It is high time that we trim our lamps, that we be all ready with the oil of grace in our hearts, that we not be taking a nap, as is represented of the ten virgins, five of whom were wise and five foolish. We cannot be of the foolish order. We must be where we can recognize Christ, where we can understand His will concerning us, that we shall fear to offend God. We want to stand in that position where we know that we shall have a right to the tree of life. Why will we have a right to the tree of life? Because we have eaten of the bread of life here. We have been fed with the heavenly manna from the Word, we have searched its pages, and we know what it says.

24LtMs, Ms 111, 1909, par. 9

“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.” Verse 2. Shall this be said of us? Shall we let earthly things, temporal things, and the things that are outside of our eternal interest absorb so much of our time and attention that we shall not have the preparation that is essential for us, that Christ may reveal Himself to us day by day? Why will He reveal Himself to us? Because we are seeking Him. He gave His life for us (John 3:16). Now face the subject; keep it in the mind; carry it with you when you go home: We are preparing to be translated.

24LtMs, Ms 111, 1909, par. 11

“For ye are yet carnal: For whereas there is among you envying,”—oh, what a miserable trait that is—“and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” [1 Corinthians 3] Verse 3. We won’t have any of that—“strife, and divisions.” We won’t allow it. We will come right in unison with Christ, and we will reprove anything of this deleterious order.

24LtMs, Ms 111, 1909, par. 12

“For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?” Verse 4. Showing your preference to men, and leaning upon them as though your eternal life depended upon them, will not do.

24LtMs, Ms 111, 1909, par. 13

“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” Verses 5, 6. It is God that is the backing of it all. It is His power that makes us. If we are sincere and earnest, and feel determined to believe the truth, then we shall have the truth in rich measure.

24LtMs, Ms 111, 1909, par. 15

“So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.” Verses 7, 8. “God that giveth the increase.” It is God that is to make the application of it all.

24LtMs, Ms 111, 1909, par. 16

“Every man shall receive his own reward.” [Verse 8.] Now here is a lesson you need not go to any of your neighbors to find out. Bear in mind that just according to the interest that you take in religious things you will be enlightened continually. Why? Because the angels of God are around about you to make the impression. Your individual course, your untiring efforts, your earnest prayer, your devotion to seek God—it is these which will give you spiritual understanding to know the truth when it is proclaimed. Each one has to know for himself where he stands.

24LtMs, Ms 111, 1909, par. 17

“For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” Verse 9. We all labor together. We are laborers together with God. “Ye are God’s husbandry; ye are God’s building.” Now let us take this into consideration.

24LtMs, Ms 111, 1909, par. 20

“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.” Verse 10. “Wise masterbuilder.” God will teach the master builder, if he will understand that he is co-operating with God, and God is co-operating with him. “I have laid the foundation.” Don’t go and get up some fallacy, and think that that means more than all the church profession, and you want to bring in your fallacy. No; that has been done too many times in our midst. We cannot build upon another man’s foundation. We have got to have a foundation of our own, a peculiarity of character that binds us up with the God of Israel.

24LtMs, Ms 111, 1909, par. 21

“Let every man take heed how he buildeth.” [Verse 10.] That is what is required of us. We want heaven, and we are too near the ending of this earth’s history to fail now. We must have heaven, or we will lose everything.

24LtMs, Ms 111, 1909, par. 22

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 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.” Verses 11-13. Christ is to be the hope of our calling. Now what is the fire? It is the fire of Satan’s temptations, and he lays a snare for the feet of this one and that one and the other one. If you yield to temptation, then you have lost the battle.

24LtMs, Ms 111, 1909, par. 23

“If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.” Verse 14. Thank the Lord.

24LtMs, Ms 111, 1909, par. 24

“If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” Verses 15-17. When you get up in the morning and things do not go just exactly as you want, have you just stepped aside into a room and prayed to the Lord to give you His Spirit? Have you received orders from above? What we want is a living, active, working faith; and if we have this, then we shall grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

24LtMs, Ms 111, 1909, par. 25

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God?” [Verse 16.] Now remember that. He gives you words, He gives you courage, He builds you up. He is doing a great deal more to perfect your character than you have any idea of, that you shall not lose eternal life by your carelessness or your foolishness, or entering into things that you have no business with.

24LtMs, Ms 111, 1909, par. 26

“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.” Verse 18. That is, let him be called a fool by the world. Let him be willing to be called foolish. There will be a good many tell you that you are a fool if you do this or that, but when it is the right thing to do, let no man deceive himself.

24LtMs, Ms 111, 1909, par. 27

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things 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; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” Verses 19-23.

24LtMs, Ms 111, 1909, par. 28

Now here is the work before us. I have read the second chapter, and I have read the third chapter, and I want you, when you go home, to think these things over, because there are a great many of us who think they are prepared for the Lord’s coming, but they are not. No, they are not. If you will just make an application of these chapters, God will help you to understand them.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Ms 58, 1911

25LtMs, Ms 58, 1911, par. 6

Take Corinthians, commencing from the first chapter of First Corinthians. Read carefully this chapter. Much may be brought into your careful study. Read the second chapter, also the third chapter. Here are the special chapters that I was to urge upon you. I tell you in the name of the Lord: Unless you humble your hearts before God, you will not have your names placed in the book of life.

The Acts of the Apostles

Chapter 29—A Message of Warning and Entreaty

AA 298.1

The first epistle to the Corinthian church was written by the apostle Paul during the latter part of his stay at Ephesus. For no others had he felt a deeper interest or put forth more untiring effort than for the believers in Corinth. For a year and a half he had labored among them, pointing them to a crucified and risen Saviour as the only means of salvation, and urging them to rely implicitly on the transforming power of His grace. Before accepting into church fellowship those who made a profession of Christianity, he had been careful to give them special instruction as to the privileges and duties of the Christian believer, and he had earnestly endeavored to help them to be faithful to their baptismal vows.

AA 298.2

Paul had a keen sense of the conflict which every soul must wage with the agencies of evil that are continually seeking to deceive and ensnare, and he had worked untiringly to strengthen and confirm those who were young in the faith. He had entreated them to make an entire surrender to God; for he knew that when the soul fails to make this surrender, then sin is not forsaken, the appetites and passions still strive for the mastery, and temptations confuse the conscience.

AA 299.1

The surrender must be complete. Every weak, doubting, struggling soul who yields fully to the Lord is placed in direct touch with agencies that enable him to overcome. Heaven is near to him, and he has the support and help of angels of mercy in every time of trial and need.

AA 299.2

The members of the church at Corinth were surrounded by idolatry and sensuality of the most alluring form. While the apostle was with them, these influences had but little power over them. Paul’s firm faith, his fervent prayers and earnest words of instruction, and, above all, his godly life had helped them to deny self for Christ’s sake rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin.

AA 299.3

After the departure of Paul, however, unfavorable conditions arose; tares that had been sown by the enemy appeared among the wheat, and erelong these began to bring forth their evil fruit. This was a time of severe trial to the Corinthian church. The apostle was no longer with them to quicken their zeal and aid them in their endeavors to live in harmony with God, and little by little many became careless and indifferent, and allowed natural tastes and inclinations to control them. He who had so often urged them to high ideals of purity and uprightness was no longer with them, and not a few who, at the time of their conversion, had put away their evil habits, returned to the debasing sins of heathenism.

AA 300.1

Paul had written briefly to the church, admonishing them “not to company” with members who should persist in profligacy; but many of the believers perverted the apostle’s meaning, quibbled over his words, and excused themselves for disregarding his instruction.

AA 300.2

A letter was sent to Paul by the church, asking for counsel concerning various matters, but saying nothing of the grievous sins existing among them. The apostle was, however, forcibly impressed by the Holy Spirit that the true state of the church had been concealed and that this letter was an attempt to draw from him statements which the writers could construe to serve their own purposes.

AA 300.3

About this time there came to Ephesus members of the household of Chloe, a Christian family of high repute in Corinth. Paul asked them regarding the condition of things, and they told him that the church was rent by divisions. The dissensions that had prevailed at the time of Apollos’s visit had greatly increased. False teachers were leading the members to despise the instructions of Paul. The doctrines and ordinances of the gospel had been perverted. Pride, idolatry, and sensualism, were steadily increasing among those who had once been zealous in the Christian life.

AA 300.4

As this picture was presented before him, Paul saw that his worst fears were more than realized. But he did not because of this give way to the thought that his work had been a failure. With “anguish of heart” and with “many tears” he sought counsel from God. Gladly would he have visited Corinth at once, had this been the wisest course to pursue. But he knew that in their present condition the believers would not profit by his labors, and therefore he sent Titus to prepare the way for a visit from himself later on. Then, putting aside all personal feelings over the course of those whose conduct revealed such strange perverseness, and keeping his soul stayed upon God, the apostle wrote to the church at Corinth one of the richest, most instructive, most powerful of all his letters.

AA 301.1

With remarkable clearness he proceeded to answer the various questions brought forward by the church, and to lay down general principles, which, if heeded, would lead them to a higher spiritual plane. They were in peril, and he could not bear the thought of failing at this critical time to reach their hearts. Faithfully he warned them of their dangers and reproved them for their sins. He pointed them again to Christ and sought to kindle anew the fervor of their early devotion.

AA 301.2

The apostle’s great love for the Corinthian believers was revealed in his tender greeting to the church. He referred to their experience in turning from idolatry to the worship and service of the true God. He reminded them of the gifts of the Holy Spirit which they had received, and showed that it was their privilege to make continual advancement in the Christian life until they should attain to the purity and holiness of Christ. “In everything ye are enriched by Him,” he wrote, “in all utterance, and in all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

AA 302.1

Paul spoke plainly of the dissensions that had arisen in the Corinthian church, and exhorted the members to cease from strife. “I beseech you, brethren,” he wrote, “by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

AA 302.2

The apostle felt at liberty to mention how and by whom he had been informed of the divisions in the church. “It hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.”

AA 302.3

Paul was an inspired apostle. The truths he taught to others he had received “by revelation;” yet the Lord did not directly reveal to him at all times just the condition of His people. In this instance those who were interested in the prosperity of the church at Corinth, and who had seen evils creeping in, had presented the matter before the apostle, and from divine revelations which he had formerly received he was prepared to judge of the character of these developments. Notwithstanding the fact that the Lord did not give him a new revelation for that special time, those who were really seeking for light accepted his message as expressing the mind of Christ. The Lord had shown him the difficulties and dangers which would arise in the churches, and, as these evils developed, the apostle recognized their significance. He had been set for the defense of the church. He was to watch for souls as one who must render account to God, and was it not consistent and right for him to take notice of the reports concerning the anarchy and divisions among them? Most assuredly; and the reproof he sent them was as certainly written under the inspiration of the Spirit of God as were any of his other epistles.

AA 303.1

The apostle made no mention of the false teachers who were seeking to destroy the fruit of his labor. Because of the darkness and division in the church, he wisely forbore to irritate them by such references, for fear of turning some entirely from the truth. He called attention to his own work among them as that of “a wise master builder,” who had laid the foundation upon which others had built. But he did not thereby exalt himself; for he declared, “We are laborers together with God.” He claimed no wisdom of his own, but acknowledged that divine power alone had enabled him to present the truth in a manner pleasing to God. United with Christ, the greatest of all teachers, Paul had been enabled to communicate lessons of divine wisdom, which met the necessities of all classes, and which were to apply at all times, in all places, and under all conditions.

AA 303.2

Among the more serious of the evils that had developed among the Corinthian believers, was that of a return to many of the debasing customs of heathenism. One former convert had so far backslidden that his licentious course was a violation of even the low standard of morality held by the Gentile world. The apostle pleaded with the church to put away from among them “that wicked person.” “Know ye not,” he admonished them, “that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.”

AA 304.1

Another grave evil that had arisen in the church was that of brethren going to law against one another. Abundant provision had been made for the settlement of difficulties among believers. Christ Himself had given plain instruction as to how such matters were to be adjusted. “If thy brother shall trespass against thee,” the Saviour had counseled, “go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:15-18.

AA 304.2

To the Corinthian believers who had lost sight of this plain counsel, Paul wrote in no uncertain terms of admonition and rebuke. “Dare any of you,” he asked, “having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? ... Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?”

AA 305.1

Satan is constantly seeking to introduce distrust, alienation, and malice among God’s people. We shall often be tempted to feel that our rights are invaded, even when there is no real cause for such feelings. Those whose love for self is stronger than their love for Christ and His cause will place their own interests first and will resort to almost any expedient to guard and maintain them. Even many who appear to be conscientious Christians are hindered by pride and self-esteem from going privately to those whom they think in error, that they may talk with them in the spirit of Christ and pray together for one another. When they think themselves injured by their brethren, some will even go to law instead of following the Saviour’s rule.

AA 305.2

Christians should not appeal to civil tribunals to settle differences that may arise among church members. Such differences should be settled among themselves, or by the church, in harmony with Christ’s instruction. Even though injustice may have been done, the follower of the meek and lowly Jesus will suffer himself “to be defrauded” rather than open before the world the sins of his brethren in the church.

AA 306.1

Lawsuits between brethren are a reproach to the cause of truth. Christians who go to law with one another expose the church to the ridicule of her enemies and cause the powers of darkness to triumph. They are wounding Christ afresh and putting Him to open shame. By ignoring the authority of the church, they show contempt for God, who gave to the church its authority.

AA 306.2

In this letter to the Corinthians Paul endeavored to show them Christ’s power to keep them from evil. He knew that if they would comply with the conditions laid down, they would be strong in the strength of the Mighty One. As a means of helping them to break away from the thralldom of sin and to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord, Paul urged upon them the claims of Him to whom they had dedicated their lives at the time of their conversion. “Ye are Christ’s,” he declared. “Ye are not your own.... Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

AA 306.3

The apostle plainly outlined the result of turning from a life of purity and holiness to the corrupt practices of heathenism. “Be not deceived,” he wrote; “neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” He begged them to control the lower passions and appetites. “Know ye not,” he asked, “that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God?”

AA 307.1

While Paul possessed high intellectual endowments, his life revealed the power of a rarer wisdom, which gave him quickness of insight and sympathy of heart, and brought him into close touch with others, enabling him to arouse their better nature and inspire them to strive for a higher life. His heart was filled with an earnest love for the Corinthian believers. He longed to see them revealing an inward piety that would fortify them against temptation. He knew that at every step in the Christian pathway they would be opposed by the synagogue of Satan and that they would have to engage in conflicts daily. They would have to guard against the stealthy approach of the enemy, forcing back old habits and natural inclinations, and ever watching unto prayer. Paul knew that the higher Christian attainments can be reached only through much prayer and constant watchfulness, and this he tried to instill into their minds. But he knew also that in Christ crucified they were offered power sufficient to convert the soul and divinely adapted to enable them to resist all temptations to evil. With faith in God as their armor, and with His word as their weapon of warfare, they would be supplied with an inner power that would enable them to turn aside the attacks of the enemy.

AA 307.2

The Corinthian believers needed a deeper experience in the things of God. They did not know fully what it meant to behold His glory and to be changed from character to character. They had seen but the first rays of the early dawn of that glory. Paul’s desire for them was that they might be filled with all the fullness of God, following on to know Him whose going forth is prepared as the morning, and continuing to learn of Him until they should come into the full noontide of a perfect gospel faith.

The Acts of the Apostles

Chapter 30—Called to Reach a Higher Standard

AA 309.1

In the hope of impressing vividly upon the minds of the Corinthian believers the importance of firm self-control, strict temperance, and unflagging zeal in the service of Christ, Paul in his letter to them made a striking comparison between the Christian warfare and the celebrated foot races held at stated intervals near Corinth. Of all the games instituted among the Greeks and the Romans, the foot races were the most ancient and the most highly esteemed. They were witnessed by kings, nobles, and statesmen. Young men of rank and wealth took part in them and shrank from no effort or discipline necessary to obtain the prize.

AA 309.2

The contests were governed by strict regulations, from which there was no appeal. Those who desired their names entered as competitors for the prize had first to undergo a severe preparatory training. Harmful indulgence of appetite, or any other gratification that would lower mental or physical vigor, was strictly forbidden. For one to have any hope of success in these trials of strength and speed, the muscles must be strong and supple, and the nerves well under control. Every movement must be certain, every step swift and unswerving; the physical powers must reach the highest mark.

AA 310.1

As the contestants in the race made their appearance before the waiting multitude, their names were heralded, and the rules of the race were distinctly stated. Then they all started together, the fixed attention of the spectators inspiring them with a determination to win. The judges were seated near the goal, that they might watch the race from its beginning to its close and give the prize to the true victor. If a man reached the goal first by taking an unlawful advantage, he was not awarded the prize.

AA 310.2

In these contests great risks were run. Some never recovered from the terrible physical strain. It was not unusual for men to fall on the course, bleeding at the mouth and nose, and sometimes a contestant would drop dead when about to seize the prize. But the possibility of lifelong injury or of death was not looked upon as too great a risk to run for the sake of the honor awarded the successful contestant.

AA 310.3

As the winner reached the goal, the applause of the vast multitude of onlookers rent the air and awoke the echoes of the surrounding hills and mountains. In full view of the spectators, the judge presented him with the emblems of victory—a laurel crown and a palm branch to carry in his right hand. His praise was sung throughout the land; his parents received their share of honor; and even the city in which he lived was held in high esteem for having produced so great an athlete.

AA 311.1

In referring to these races as a figure of the Christian warfare, Paul emphasized the preparation necessary to the success of the contestants in the race—the preliminary discipline, the abstemious diet, the necessity for temperance. “Every man that striveth for the mastery,” he declared, “is temperate in all things.” The runners put aside every indulgence that would tend to weaken the physical powers, and by severe and continuous discipline trained their muscles to strength and endurance, that when the day of the contest should arrive, they might put the heaviest tax upon their powers. How much more important that the Christian, whose eternal interests are at stake, bring appetite and passion under subjection to reason and the will of God! Never must he allow his attention to be diverted by amusements, luxuries, or ease. All his habits and passions must be brought under the strictest discipline. Reason, enlightened by the teachings of God’s word and guided by His Spirit, must hold the reins of control.

AA 311.2

And after this has been done, the Christian must put forth the utmost exertion in order to gain the victory. In the Corinthian games the last few strides of the contestants in the race were made with agonizing effort to keep up undiminished speed. So the Christian, as he nears the goal, will press onward with even more zeal and determination than at the first of his course.

AA 311.3

Paul presents the contrast between the chaplet of fading laurel received by the victor in the foot races, and the crown of immortal glory that will be given to him who runs with triumph the Christian race. “They do it,” he declares, “to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” To win a perishable prize, the Grecian runners spared themselves no toil or discipline. We are striving for a prize infinitely more valuable, even the crown of everlasting life. How much more careful should be our striving, how much more willing our sacrifice and self-denial!

AA 312.1

In the epistle to the Hebrews is pointed out the single-hearted purpose that should characterize the Christian’s race for eternal life: “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1, 2. Envy, malice, evil thinking, evilspeaking, covetousness—these are weights that the Christian must lay aside if he would run successfully the race for immortality. Every habit or practice that leads into sin and brings dishonor upon Christ must be put away, whatever the sacrifice. The blessing of heaven cannot attend any man in violating the eternal principles of right. One sin cherished is sufficient to work degradation of character and to mislead others.

AA 312.2

“If thy hand cause thee to stumble,” the Saviour said, “Cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. And if thy foot cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life halt, rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell.” Mark 9:43-45, R.V. If to save the body from death, the foot or the hand should be cut off, or even the eye plucked out, how much more earnest should the Christian be to put away sin, which brings death to the soul!

AA 313.1

The competitors in the ancient games, after they had submitted to self-denial and rigid discipline, were not even then sure of the victory. “Know ye not,” Paul asked, “that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?” However eagerly and earnestly the runners might strive, the prize could be awarded to but one. One hand only could grasp the coveted garland. Some might put forth the utmost effort to obtain the prize, but as they reached forth the hand to secure it, another, an instant before them, might grasp the coveted treasure.

AA 313.2

Such is not the case in the Christian warfare. Not one who complies with the conditions will be disappointed at the end of the race. Not one who is earnest and persevering will fail of success. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. The weakest saint, as well as the strongest, may wear the crown of immortal glory. All may win who, through the power of divine grace, bring their lives into conformity to the will of Christ. The practice, in the details of life, of the principles laid down in God’s word, is too often looked upon as unimportant—a matter too trivial to demand attention. But in view of the issue at stake, nothing is small that will help or hinder. Every act casts its weight into the scale that determines life’s victory or defeat. And the reward given to those who win will be in proportion to the energy and earnestness with which they have striven.

AA 314.1

The apostle compared himself to a man running in a race, straining every nerve to win the prize. “I therefore so run,” he says, “not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” That he might not run uncertainly or at random in the Christian race, Paul subjected himself to severe training. The words, “I keep under my body,” literally mean to beat back by severe discipline the desires, impulses, and passions.

AA 314.2

Paul feared lest, having preached to others, he himself should be a castaway. He realized that if he did not carry out in his life the principles he believed and preached, his labors in behalf of others would avail him nothing. His conversation, his influence, his refusal to yield to self-gratification, must show that his religion was not a profession merely, but a daily, living connection with God. One goal he kept ever before him, and strove earnestly to reach—“the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Philippians 3:9.

AA 314.3

Paul knew that his warfare against evil would not end so long as life should last. Ever he realized the need of putting a strict guard upon himself, that earthly desires might not overcome spiritual zeal. With all his power he continued to strive against natural inclinations. Ever he kept before him the ideal to be attained, and this ideal he strove to reach by willing obedience to the law of God. His words, his practices, his passions—all were brought under the control of the Spirit of God.

AA 315.1

It was this singlehearted purpose to win the race for eternal life that Paul longed to see revealed in the lives of the Corinthian believers. He knew that in order to reach Christ’s ideal for them, they had before them a life struggle from which there would be no release. He entreated them to strive lawfully, day by day seeking for piety and moral excellence. He pleaded with them to lay aside every weight and to press forward to the goal of perfection in Christ.

AA 315.2

Paul pointed the Corinthians to the experience of ancient Israel, to the blessings that rewarded their obedience, and to the judgments that followed their transgressions. He reminded them of the miraculous way in which the Hebrews were led from Egypt under the protection of the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Thus they were safely conducted through the Red Sea, while the Egyptians, essaying to cross in like manner, were all drowned. By these acts God had acknowledged Israel as His church. They “did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” The Hebrews, in all their travels, had Christ as a leader. The smitten rock typified Christ, who was to be wounded for men’s transgressions, that the stream of salvation might flow to all.

AA 315.3

Notwithstanding the favor that God showed to the Hebrews, yet because of their lust for the luxuries left behind in Egypt, and because of their sin and rebellion, the judgments of God came upon them. The apostle enjoined the Corinthian believers to heed the lesson contained in Israel’s experience. “Now these things were our examples,” he declared, “to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.” He showed how love of ease and pleasure had prepared the way for sins that called forth the signal vengeance of God. It was when the children of Israel sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play, that they threw off the fear of God, which they had felt as they listened to the giving of the law; and, making a golden calf to represent God, they worshiped it. And it was after enjoying a luxurious feast connected with the worship of Baalpeor, that many of the Hebrews fell through licentiousness. The anger of God was aroused, and at His command “three and twenty thousand” were slain by the plague in one day.

AA 316.1

The apostle adjured the Corinthians, “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Should they become boastful and self-confident, neglecting to watch and pray, they would fall into grievous sin, calling down upon themselves the wrath of God. Yet Paul would not have them yield to despondency or discouragement. He gave them the assurance: “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

AA 316.2

Paul urged his brethren to ask themselves what influence their words and deeds would have upon others and to do nothing, however innocent in itself, that would seem to sanction idolatry or offend the scruples of those who might be weak in the faith. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.”

AA 317.1

The apostle’s words of warning to the Corinthian church are applicable to all time and are especially adapted to our day. By idolatry he meant not only the worship of idols, but self-serving, love of ease, the gratification of appetite and passion. A mere profession of faith in Christ, a boastful knowledge of the truth, does not make a man a Christian. A religion that seeks only to gratify the eye, the ear, and the taste, or that sanctions self-indulgence, is not the religion of Christ.

AA 317.2

By a comparison of the church with the human body, the apostle aptly illustrated the close and harmonious relationship that should exist among all members of the church of Christ. “By one Spirit,” he wrote, “are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.... God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

AA 318.1

And then, in words which from that day to this have been to men and women a source of inspiration and encouragement, Paul set forth the importance of that love which should be cherished by the followers of Christ: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”

AA 318.2

No matter how high the profession, he whose heart is not filled with love for God and his fellow men is not a true disciple of Christ. Though he should possess great faith and have power even to work miracles, yet without love his faith would be worthless. He might display great liberality; but should he, from some other motive than genuine love, bestow all his goods to feed the poor, the act would not commend him to the favor of God. In his zeal he might even meet a martyr’s death, yet if not actuated by love, he would be regarded by God as a deluded enthusiast or an ambitious hypocrite.

AA 319.1

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.” The purest joy springs from the deepest humiliation. The strongest and noblest characters are built on the foundation of patience, love, and submission to God’s will.

AA 319.2

Charity “doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.” Christ-like love places the most favorable construction on the motives and acts of others. It does not needlessly expose their faults; it does not listen eagerly to unfavorable reports, but seeks rather to bring to mind the good qualities of others.

AA 319.3

Love “rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” This love “never faileth.” It can never lose its value; it is a heavenly attribute. As a precious treasure, it will be carried by its possessor through the portals of the city of God.

AA 319.4

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

AA 319.5

In the lowering of the moral standard among the Corinthian believers, there were those who had given up some of the fundamental features of their faith. Some had gone so far as to deny the doctrine of the resurrection. Paul met this heresy with a very plain testimony regarding the unmistakable evidence of the resurrection of Christ. He declared that Christ, after His death, “rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,” after which “He was seen of Cephas, then of the Twelve: after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, He was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all He was seen of me also.”

AA 320.1

With convincing power the apostle set forth the great truth of the resurrection. “If there be no resurrection of the dead,” he argued, “then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.”

AA 320.2

The apostle carried the minds of the Corinthian brethren forward to the triumphs of the resurrection morn, when all the sleeping saints are to be raised, henceforth to live forever with their Lord. “Behold,” the apostle declared, “I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? ... Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

AA 321.1

Glorious is the triumph awaiting the faithful. The apostle, realizing the possibilities before the Corinthian believers, sought to set before them that which uplifts from the selfish and the sensual, and glorifies life with the hope of immortality. Earnestly he exhorted them to be true to their high calling in Christ. “My beloved brethren,” he pleaded, “be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

AA 321.2

Thus the apostle, in the most decided and impressive manner, endeavored to correct the false and dangerous ideas and practices that were prevailing in the Corinthian church. He spoke plainly, yet in love for their souls. In his warnings and reproofs, light from the throne of God was shining upon them, to reveal the hidden sins that were defiling their lives. How would it be received?

AA 321.3

After the letter had been dispatched, Paul feared lest that which he had written might wound too deeply those whom he desired to benefit. He keenly dreaded a further alienation and sometimes longed to recall his words. Those who, like the apostle, have felt a responsibility for beloved churches or institutions, can best appreciate his depression of spirit and self-accusing. The servants of God who bear the burden of His work for this time know something of the same experience of labor, conflict, and anxious care that fell to the lot of the great apostle. Burdened by divisions in the church, meeting with ingratitude and betrayal from some to whom he looked for sympathy and support, realizing the peril of the churches that harbored iniquity, compelled to bear a close, searching testimony in reproof of sin, he was at the same time weighed down with fear that he might have dealt with too great severity. With trembling anxiety he waited to receive some tidings as to the reception of his message.

Loma Linda Messages

Paul’s Experience

LLM 231.2

Read also the third chapter of this book, and study and pray over these words. As a people our faith and practice need to be energized by the Holy Spirit. No ruling power, that would compel men to obey the dictates of the finite mind, should be exercised. “Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils,” the Lord commands. By turning the minds of men to lean on human wisdom, we place a veil between God and man, so that there is not a seeing of Him who is invisible.

The Review and Herald

June 13, 1893

RH June 13, 1893, par. 6

At the foot of the cross our laborers must learn the lessons to be communicated to the people. Thus will they bring sheaves to Jesus Christ. In the first chapter of 1 Corinthians Paul has given us instruction which every true laborer needs to study, especially the following verses: “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” Here is a lesson of special consequence to every worker in the vineyard of the Lord. It will not result in solid work for men to preach to please the ears of the people, while the truth is not held forth in a manner to bring them to the cross of Jesus Christ. The messenger of God must present eternal truths plainly, and keep in distinct view before the people their peril in neglecting eternal interests. While self is kept out of sight, Jesus Christ must be ever lifted up and exalted.

RH June 13, 1893, par. 11

Every one engaging in the work needs these words framed and hung in memory’s hall, “We are laborers together with God.” Then there will not be so many decided failures in the efforts made to win souls to Jesus Christ. There is need of bringing them to the foundation, and building them into a firm structure, that will abide the fires of the last great day. The people cannot be reached, and their hearts broken, except by God’s divine power. 1 Corinthians 3:9-15.

The Review and Herald

December 11, 1900

RH December 11, 1900, Art. A, par. 1

The third chapter of 1 Corinthians contains instruction which all who claim to be following Jesus should study. Contentions in the body of believers are not after the order of God. They result from the manifestation of the attributes of the natural heart. To all who bring in disorder and disunion, the words of Paul are applicable: “I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 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.” Paul here addressed a people whose advancement was not proportionate to their privileges and opportunities. They ought to have been able to bear the hearing of the plain word of God, but they were in the position in which the disciples were when Christ said to them, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye can not bear them now.” They ought to have been far advanced in spiritual knowledge, able to comprehend and practice the higher truths of the word; but they were unsanctified. They had forgotten that they must be purged from their hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong, and that they must not cherish carnal attributes.

The Review and Herald

November 5, 1901

RH November 5, 1901, par. 8

The first chapter of 1 Corinthians contains instruction which all who are workers together with God should follow. Paul heard that there was contention among the church-members at Corinth, and he wrote to them, saying, “I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Those who practice this instruction will reveal in their lives the purity of Christ, and will manifest His love in their dealings with one another.

From Trials to Triumph

Chapter 29—Lawsuits and Sexual Looseness Challenged

TT 159.1

For a year and a half Paul had labored among the believers in Corinth, pointing them to a crucified and risen Saviour and urging them to rely implicitly on the transforming power of His grace. Before accepting them into church fellowship he had been careful to instruct them as to the duties of the Christian believers, and he had endeavored to help them be faithful to their baptismal vows.

TT 159.2

Paul had a keen sense of the conflict every soul must wage with the agencies of evil, and he had worked untiringly to strengthen those young in the faith. He had entreated them to make an entire surrender to God, for he knew that when the soul fails to make an entire surrender, sin is not forsaken, and temptations confuse the conscience. Every weak, doubting, struggling soul who yields fully to the Lord is placed in direct touch with agencies that enable him to overcome. He has the help of angels in every time of need.

TT 159.3

The members of the church at Corinth were surrounded by idolatry and sensuality. While the apostle was with them, these influences had little power over them. Paul’s prayers, earnest words of instruction, and godly life helped them to deny self, for Christ’s sake, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin.

TT 159.4

After the departure of Paul, however, little by little many became careless and allowed natural tastes and inclinations to control them. Not a few who at their conversion had put away evil habits returned to the debasing sins of heathenism. Paul had written briefly, admonishing them “not to associate” with members who should persist in profligacy; but many quibbled over his words and excused themselves for disregarding his instruction.

TT 160.1

A letter was sent to Paul by the church, asking for counsel concerning various matters, but saying nothing of the grievous sins existing among them. The apostle was, however, impressed by the Holy Spirit that the true state of the church had been concealed.

TT 160.2

About this time there came to Ephesus members of the household of Chloe, a Christian family in Corinth. They told Paul that the dissensions that had prevailed at the time of Apollos’s visit had greatly increased. False teachers were leading the members to despise the instructions of Paul. Pride, idolatry, and sensualism were steadily increasing.

TT 160.3

Paul saw that his worst fears were more than realized. But he did not give way to the thought that his work had been a failure. With “anguish of heart” and with “many tears” (2 Corinthians 2:4) he sought counsel from God. Gladly would he have visited Corinth at once, but he knew that in their present condition the believers would not profit by his labors; therefore he sent Titus to prepare the way for a visit from himself later on. Then the apostle wrote to the church at Corinth one of the richest, most instructive, most powerful of all his letters.

TT 160.4

With remarkable clearness he answered questions and laid down general principles which, if heeded, would lead them to a higher spiritual plane. Faithfully he warned them of their dangers and reproved them for their sins. He reminded them of the gifts of the Holy Spirit they had received and showed them that it was their privilege to advance in the Christian life until they should attain to the purity and holiness of Christ.

TT 160.5

Paul spoke plainly of the dissensions in the Corinthian church. “I appeal to you, brethren,” he wrote, “that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” “It has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you.”

TT 161.1

Paul was an inspired apostle. The truth he taught he had received “by revelation”; yet the Lord did not directly reveal to him at all times the condition of His people. In this instance those who were interested in the church had presented the matter before the apostle, and from divine revelations he had formerly received he was prepared to judge these developments. Notwithstanding the fact that the Lord did not give him a new revelation for that special time, those who were seeking for light accepted his message as expressing the mind of Christ. As evils developed, the apostle recognized their significance. He had been set for the defense of the church. Was it not right for him to notice the reports concerning the divisions among them? Most assuredly; and the reproof he sent was as certainly written under the inspiration of the Spirit of God as were any of his other letters.

TT 161.2

The apostle made no mention of the false teachers who were seeking to destroy the fruit of his labor. He wisely forebore to irritate them by such references. He called attention to his own work as “a skilled master builder” who had laid the foundation on which others had built. “We are God’s fellow workers.” He acknowledged that divine power alone had enabled him to present the truth in a manner pleasing to God. Paul had communicated lessons which were to apply at all times, in all places, and under all conditions.

TT 161.3

One former convert had so far backslidden that his licentious course violated even the low standard of morality held by the Gentile world. The apostle pleaded with the church to put away from them this man. “Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened.”

TT 162.1

Another grave evil was that of brethren going to law against one another. Christ Himself had given instruction as to how such matters were to be adjusted: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.” Matthew 18:15-17, RSV.

TT 162.2

“When one of you,” Paul asked, “has a grievance against a brother, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, matters pertaining to this life! ... I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no man among you wise enough to decide between members of the brotherhood, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong?”

TT 162.3

Satan is constantly seeking to introduce distrust, alienation, and malice among God’s people. We shall often be tempted to feel that our rights are invaded, even when there is no real cause for such feelings. Those who will place their own interests first will resort to almost any expedient to maintain them. Many are hindered by pride and self-esteem from going privately to those whom they think in error, that they may talk with them in the spirit of Christ and pray together. When they think themselves injured by their brethren, some will even go to law instead of following the Saviour’s rule.

TT 162.4

Christians should not appeal to civil tribunals to settle differences among church members. Even though injustice may have been done, the follower of the meek and lowly Jesus will suffer himself “to be defrauded” rather than open before the world the sins of his brethren in the church.

TT 163.1

Christians who go to law with one another expose the church to the ridicule of her enemies. They are wounding Christ afresh and putting Him to open shame. By ignoring the authority of the church, they show contempt for God, who gave the church its authority.

TT 163.2

In this letter Paul endeavored to show the Corinthians Christ’s power to keep them from evil. To help them break from the thralldom of sin, Paul urged the claim of Him to whom they had dedicated their lives: “You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

TT 163.3

Paul begged them to control the lower passions and appetites. He aroused their better nature and inspired them to strive for a higher life. He knew that at every step in the Christian pathway the Corinthian believers would be opposed by Satan and that they would have to engage in conflicts daily. They would have to force back old habits and natural inclinations, ever watching unto prayer. But Paul knew also that in Christ crucified they were offered power sufficient to enable them to resist all temptations to evil.

TT 163.4

The Corinthian believers had seen but the first rays of the early dawn of God’s glory. Paul’s desire for them was that they might follow on to know Him whose going forth is prepared as the morning, and learn of Him until they should come into the full noontide of a perfect gospel faith.

From Trials to Triumph

Chapter 30—Paul Strengthens the Church for All Time

TT 164.1

Of all the games instituted among the Greeks and the Romans, the ancient foot races near Corinth were the most highly esteemed. They were witnessed by kings, nobles, and statesmen. Young men of rank and wealth took part and shrank from no effort or discipline necessary to obtain the prize.

TT 164.2

The contests were governed by strict regulations, from which there was no appeal. Those who desired to enter had to undergo severe preparatory training. Harmful indulgence of appetite, or anything that would lower mental or physical vigor, was forbidden. The muscles must be strong, and the nerves well under control. The physical powers must reach the highest mark.

TT 164.3

As the contestants made their appearance before the waiting multitude, their names were heralded, and the rules of the race were distinctly stated. Then they all started together, the fixed attention of the spectators inspiring them with determination to win. The judges were seated near the goal, that they might watch the race from beginning to end and give the prize to the true victor.

TT 164.4

Great risks were run. Some contestants never recovered from the terrible physical strain. It was not unusual for men to fall on the course, bleeding at the mouth and nose, and sometimes a contestant would drop dead when about to seize the prize.

TT 164.5

As the winner reached the goal, applause rent the air. The judge presented him with the emblems of victory—a laurel crown and a palm branch to carry in his hand. His praise was sung throughout the land, his parents received their share of honor, and even the city in which he lived was held in high esteem for having produced so great an athlete.

TT 165.1

Paul referred to these races as a figure of the Christian warfare. “Every athlete,” he declared, “exercises self-control in all things.” The runners put aside every indulgence that would tend to weaken the physical powers. How much more important that the Christian bring appetite and passion under subjection to reason and the will of God! Never must he allow his attention to be diverted by amusements, luxuries, or ease. Reason, enlightened by God’s Word and guided by His Spirit, must hold the reins of control.

TT 165.2

In the Corinthian games the last few strides of the contestants in the race were made with agonizing effort to keep up undiminished speed. So the Christian, as he nears the goal, will press onward with even more determination than at the first of his course.

TT 165.3

Paul contrasts the chaplet of fading laurel received in the foot races, and the crown of immortal glory that will be given to him who runs with triumph the Christian race. “They do it,” he declares, “to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” The Grecian runners spared themselves no toil or discipline. How much more willing should be our sacrifice and self-denial!

TT 165.4

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1, 2. Envy, malice, evil-thinking, evil-speaking, covetousness—these are weights that the Christian must lay aside. Every practice that brings dishonor on Christ must be put away, whatever the sacrifice. One sin cherished is sufficient to work degradation of character and to mislead others.

TT 166.1

The competitors in the ancient games, after they had submitted to self-denial and rigid discipline, were not even then sure of victory. “In a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize.” One hand only could grasp the coveted garland. As some reached forth to secure the prize, another, an instant before them, might grasp the coveted treasure.

TT 166.2

In the Christian warfare, not one who complies with the conditions will be disappointed at the end of the race. The weakest saint, as well as the strongest, may wear the crown of immortal glory. The principles laid down in God’s Word are too often looked upon as unimportant—too trivial to demand attention. But nothing is small that will help or hinder. And the reward given to those who win will be in proportion to the energy and earnestness with which they have striven.

TT 166.3

The apostle compared himself to a man running in a race, straining every nerve to win. “I do not run aimlessly,” he says, “I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” The words, “I pommel my body,” literally mean to beat back by severe discipline the desires, impulses, and passions.

TT 166.5

Paul realized the need of putting a strict guard on himself, that earthly desires might not overcome spiritual zeal. He continued to strive against natural inclinations. His words, his practices, his passions—all were brought under the control of the Spirit of God.

TT 166.6

Paul knew that the Corinthian believers had before them a life struggle from which there would be no release. He pleaded with them to lay aside every weight and press forward to the goal of perfection in Christ.

TT 167.1

He reminded them of the miraculous way in which the Hebrews were led from Egypt—they were conducted through the Red Sea, while the Egyptians, trying to cross in like manner, were all drowned. Israel “ate the same supernatural food and all drank the same supernatural drink. For they drank from the supernatural Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Christ.” The Hebrews had Christ as leader. The smitten rock typified Him, wounded for men’s transgressions that the stream of salvation might flow to all.

TT 167.2

Yet, because of the Hebrews’ lust for the luxuries left behind in Egypt, and because of their rebellion, the judgments of God came on them. “Now these things are warnings,” the apostle declared, “for us, not to desire evil as they did.” Love of ease and pleasure had prepared the way for sins that called forth the vengeance of God. When the children of Israel sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play, they threw off the fear of God. Making a golden calf, they worshiped it. And it was after a luxurious feast connected with the worship of Baal-peor that many Hebrews fell through licentiousness. The anger of God was aroused, and 23,000 were slain by the plague in one day.

TT 167.3

If the Corinthians should become boastful and self-confident, they would fall into grievous sin. Yet Paul gave them the assurance: “God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

TT 167.4

Paul urged his brethren to do nothing, however innocent, that would seem to sanction idolatry or offend those who might be weak in the faith. “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God.”

TT 167.5

The apostle’s words are especially applicable to our day. By idolatry he meant not only the worship of idols, but self-serving, love of ease, the gratification of appetite and passion. A religion that sanctions self-indulgence is not the religion of Christ.

TT 168.1

By a comparison of the church with the human body, the apostle illustrated the close relationship that should exist among all members of the church. “The body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ that would not make it any less a part of the body... . But as it is, God arranged the organs in the body, each one of them, as He chose... . God has so adjusted the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior part, that there may be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”

TT 168.2

And then Paul set forth the importance of love: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

TT 168.3

No matter how high the profession, he whose heart is not filled with love for God and his fellowmen is not a true disciple of Christ. In his zeal he might even meet a martyr’s death, yet if not actuated by love, he would be a deluded enthusiast or an ambitious hypocrite.

TT 168.4

“Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful.” The noblest characters are built on the foundation of patience, love, and submission to God’s will.

TT 169.1

Love “is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.” Christ-like love places the most favorable construction on the motives and acts of others. It does not listen eagerly to unfavorable reports, but seeks to bring to mind the good qualities of others.

TT 169.2

This love “never ends.” As a precious treasure, it will be carried by its possessor through the portals of the city of God.

TT 169.3

Among the Corinthian believers, some had gone so far as to deny the doctrine of the resurrection. Paul met this heresy with a very plain testimony regarding the unmistakable evidence of the resurrection of Christ. He was “raised on the third day,” after which “He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared also to me.”

TT 169.4

“If there is no resurrection of the dead,” Paul argued, “then Christ has not been raised; if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain and your faith is in vain... . For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life we who are in Christ have only hope, we are of all men most to be pitied.”

TT 169.5

“I tell you a mystery,” he declared. “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable nature must put on the imperishable, and this mortal nature must put on immortality.”

TT 169.6

The apostle sought to set before the Corinthian believers that which uplifts from the selfish and the sensual and glorifies life with the hope of immortality. “My beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

TT 170.1

Thus the apostle spoke plainly, yet in love. Light from the throne of God was shining, to reveal the hidden sins that were defiling their lives. How would it be received?

TT 170.2

Paul dreaded a further alienation and sometimes longed to recall his words. Those who have felt responsible for churches or institutions, can appreciate his depression and self-accusing. Servants of God who bear the burden of His work for this time know something of the same experience of labor, conflict, and anxious care. Burdened by divisions in the church, realizing the peril of churches that harbored iniquity, compelled to bear a searching testimony in reproof of sin, Paul was at the same time weighed down with fear that he might have dealt with too great severity. With anxiety he waited to receive some tidings as to the reception of his message.

From Trials to Triumph

The Race Where Everyone Can Win

TT 166.4

Paul realized that his conversation, his influence, his refusal to yield to self-gratification, must show that his religion was not a profession merely, but a daily, living connection with God. One goal he ever strove earnestly to reach—“the righteousness from God that depends on faith.” Philippians 3:9, RSV.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)

Lt 80, 1908

23LtMs, Lt 80, 1908, par. 3

My brother and sister, do not fail or become discouraged. The enemy has tried hard to obtain the victory over the work of this sanitarium; but I urge you to encourage the workers, saying to them, “We are laborers together with God.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] By watchfulness and prayer—the prayer of faith—we shall learn the Lord’s will concerning us. Our constant inquiry should be, “How can I best please my Lord and glorify my Saviour?”

23LtMs, Lt 80, 1908, par. 4

I ask you to study the third chapter of First Corinthians. I often read this chapter; for it is full of sound instruction. How good the Lord is to give us such definite instruction. None need err if they will follow the teachings of the Lord.

23LtMs, Lt 80, 1908, par. 5

The apostle writes: “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. For he that planteth and he that watereth are one; and every man shall receive his own reward according to his labor. For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry; ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereupon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” [Verses 5-11.]

From Trials to Triumph

Chapter 26—Church Politics at Corinth

TT 144.2

“I fed you with milk, not solid food,” he afterward explained, “for you were not ready for it; and even yet you are not ready.” 1 Corinthians 3:2, RSV. Many Corinthian believers had been slow to learn. Their advancement in spiritual knowledge had not been proportionate to their opportunities. When they should have been able to comprehend the deeper truths, they were standing where the disciples stood when Christ said, “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” John 16:12. Jealousy and evil surmising had closed the hearts of many against the full working of the Holy Spirit. They were babes in the knowledge of Christ.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 113, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 113, 1903, par. 9

God has a work to be done in the world. Those who believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as their personal Saviour are “laborers together with God.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] This “together” means much more than many realize. Together in unity, and in love, in the Spirit of Christ, let each one take up his appointed work.

18LtMs, Ms 113, 1903, par. 12

What a testimony was borne by Paul concerning those to whom he was writing!—“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. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” [1 Corinthians 3:2, 3.]

Testimony Treasures, vol. 2

God’s Standard Unchanged

2TT 82.1

Paul writes to his Corinthian brethren: “Ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” 1 Corinthians 3:3. It is impossible for minds distracted by envy and strife to comprehend the deep spiritual truths of God’s word. “The natural 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 discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14. We cannot rightly understand or appreciate divine revelation without the aid of that Spirit by whom the word was given.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9

Chapter 21—German and Scandinavian Conferences

9T 197.1

In the erection of national barriers you present to the world a plan of human invention that God can never endorse. To those who would do this, the apostle Paul says: “Ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal? ... Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:3-9.

Testimonies for the Church Regarding the Spirit of Unity

Chapter 7—German and Scandinavian Conferences

SpTB04 31.1

To those who would do this, the apostle Paul says, “Ye are yet carnal; for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal? ... Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered: but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one; and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God; ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:3-9.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 37, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 37, 1902, par. 15

Workers for God will have success only as they surrender themselves wholly to Him. Paul’s words to the Corinthians should be studied: “For ye are yet carnal; for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man.” [1 Corinthians 3:3-5.]

17LtMs, Ms 37, 1902, par. 16

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither is he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For ye are laborers together with God; ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 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. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereon, 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 6-15.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Ms 82, 1886

4LtMs, Ms 82, 1886, par. 10

There is too much of the spirit that “I am of Paul,” and “I am of Apollos.” [1 Corinthians 3:4.] There is too much of the feeling that, “I like such an one better.” “I would rather hear this one speak instead of him.” Now these preferences are all unsanctified. Wherever we go we want to give the impression that we are one. We are working to fit men for immortality, and we will study early and late to defend our brethren. Thus the work of God will move in harmony. There is a great deal more of self about us than we think. When God’s mold is upon us we can go to the uttermost part of the world and God will be with us. But when men who want their way and it is crossed, they go, as I have seen them in many places, and set a dead head against you. They may act as though they were on your side, but just let (their will be) crossed and they are against you.

From Trials to Triumph

How Paul Handled Sexual Immorality

TT 145.3

Paul had sought to impress his Corinthian brethren that he and the ministers with him were all engaged in the same work, alike dependent on God for success. The discussion in the church regarding the relative merits of different ministers was the result of cherishing the attributes of the natural heart. “For when one says, ‘I belong to Paul,’ and another, ‘I belong to Apollos,’ are you not merely men? ... I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” 1 Corinthians 3:4-7, RSV.

TT 146.1

“We are fellow workmen for God: you are God’s field, God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9, RSV. The apostle compares the church to a cultivated field and also to a building, which is to grow into a temple for the Lord. He gives His workmen tact and skill, and if they heed His instruction, crowns their efforts with success.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 86, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 86, 1902, par. 20

To the church In Graysville I send this message, “Let not your hands be slack. ‘Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man.” [1 Corinthians 3:5.] By the grace of Christ they were made what they were. By earnest, persevering prayer they obtained the endowment of the Holy Spirit, and then they went forth weighted with the burden of saving souls, filled with zeal to extend the triumphs of the cross. And under their labors many souls were brought from darkness to light, and many churches were raised up. Those who are working for Christ today may reveal the distinguishing excellence revealed by these earnest workers. God is just as ready to give power to His servants in 1902 as He was to give power to Paul and Barnabas.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 150, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 150, 1900, par. 22

The Lord desires us to distinguish between the means and the instrument. “Who then is Paul,” the apostle asks, “And who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” [1 Corinthians 3:5, 6.] The human agent is only the instrument; it is to the Lord he owes his efficiency. He must cooperate with divine power.

Ye Shall Receive Power

To Be God’s Instrumentalities, July 2

YRP 192.1

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 1 Corinthians 3:5.

YRP 192.3

“Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor” (1 Corinthians 3:8). God, and not man, is the judge of man’s work, and He will apportion to each his just reward. It is not given to any human being to judge between the different servants of God. The Lord alone is the judge and rewarder of every good work.

YRP 192.4

“He that planteth and he that watereth are one,” engaged in the same work—the salvation of souls. “We are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” (verse 9). In these words the church is compared to a cultivated field, in which the husbandmen are to labor, caring for the vines of the Lord’s planting; and to a building, which is to become a holy temple for the Lord. Christ is the Master Workman. All are to work under His supervision, letting Him work for and through His workmen. He gives them tact and skill, and if they heed His instructions, crowns their labor with success.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 145, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 145, 1898, par. 6

We feel that Brisbane will be benefitted by this meeting. There are many who would gladly co-operate in a work of temperance in this place. If we walk humbly with God, I believe we shall see of His salvation. The Lord will help us. He has helped us in every way beyond our expectations. Our lessons are given us by the great apostle: “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believe, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. ... Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” [1 Corinthians 3:5, 6, 8, 9.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 39, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 39, 1902, par. 13

“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one; and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God; ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 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. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 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.” [1 Corinthians 3:5-13.]

17LtMs, Lt 39, 1902, par. 14

“I have planted.” It was Paul who first preached the gospel to the Corinthians and gathered the church together. This was the work the Lord assigned him. “I have planted, Apollos watered.” The Lord directed that other workers should be brought in to stand in their lot and place. The seed sown must be watered, and this work Apollos was to do. He followed Paul in his work, to give further instruction, to help the seed sown to develop. “But God giveth the increase.” [Verse 6.] His was the power that gave success to the efforts of the laborers. Those that plant and those that water are not the cause of the growth of the seed. They work under God. They are His helping hand, co-operating with Him in His work. They are instruments in the hands of the unseen Master Worker.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 165, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 165, 1899, par. 13

Let every one remember the words, “We are laborers together with God; ye are God’s husbandry; ye are God’s building.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] God works upon mind and heart, and this work produces character. “Ye are God’s building.” You are representatives of the great Master-Worker. God forbid that we should neglect to learn the trade of character building. The course to be pursued in this work is not according to the ideas of the world; the fashioning is not similar to the fashioning of the world. Those who enter the work of God without hiding self in Christ will soon disconnect themselves from the Master’s building.

14LtMs, Ms 165, 1899, par. 39

In time, his motives are read even by worldly men, and he loses all by his selfishness. God will not serve with any man who links himself with worldlings or church members to secure influence. Influence must come in God’s way, or it is not of the least value. The wisdom of the wise is foolishness with God. “The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise that they are vain; therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours, ... and ye are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” [1 Corinthians 3:20, 21, 23.] Please read the second chapter of First Corinthians.

14LtMs, Ms 165, 1899, par. 51

The wisdom of this world, of which worldly men are proud, in which they glory, brings no honor to God. Let not any man deceive himself by thinking that he has superior wisdom. Paul declares, “If any man among you seemeth to be wise,” ... if he thinks that alone he is able to do an important work—“let him becomes a fool that he may be wise.” [1 Corinthians 3:18.] His only hope is to renounce dependence on human wisdom, and realize his need of divine guidance at every step. He is to seek every day for the Holy Spirit’s power which God gives to all who are humble and trustful. He is to stand on vantage ground before the world, before angels, and before men, for he is seeking for light. He depends on God to show him the way. He does not rush on in self-confidence.

14LtMs, Ms 165, 1899, par. 52

Let those who have been blessed by a knowledge of the Word of God remember the words of Paul, “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered, but God giveth the increase. ... Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one; and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God; ye are God’s husbandry; ye are God’s building.” [Verses 5, 6, 8, 9.]

Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2

Chapter 81—Safe Mind Therapy

2MCP 736.4

Do not think you are left to do impossible things. Do not expect impossible things of others. Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but God giveth the increase (see 1 1 Corinthians 3:6). “Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. They shall perish, but Thou shalt endure” (Psalm 102:25, 26). “They all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt Thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail” (Hebrews 1:11, 12).—Letter 86a, 1893.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 9 [Nos. 664-770]

Mr No. 725—Compelling Power in Preaching

9MR 208.1

A mere theory of the truth is powerless. It needs the heavenly endorsement, the finish that God alone can give it. Every petition put up in faith is lodged in heaven and will not be neglected, but will bring precious returns. I saw that there was too little praying, too little humbling the soul before God, too little laying hold above and importuning and earnest wrestling with God that He may make His truth like a sharp, two-edged sword, to cut every way. There has been more trusting in reading and studying than in the power of God. A Paul may plant and an Apollos water, but God giveth the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6, 7). God’s ministers have more knowledge than living faith and godliness. These treasures all should seek after earnestly. Then will they exercise temperance in reading, in studying. They will depend more on the Spirit of God and His power to set home the truth to the hearts of the hearers than upon knowledge obtained from much reading. The theory of truth without the power of God will produce but little effect.

Ye Shall Receive Power

Instrumentalities for the Saving of Souls, June 9

YRP 169.1

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6, 7.

From the Heart

Receive to Give, August 26

FH 250.1

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6, 7.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 20 [Nos. 1420-1500]

MR No. 1498—State of the Work in Ohio; General Conference to Establish and Control Medical Institutions; Physicians to Be Models of Morality

20MR 379.2

“Neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase” [1 Corinthians 3:7]. Here is presented the comparative value of the two agencies, the human and the divine. The Lord Jesus declared, “Without Me ye can do nothing.” Man can accomplish nothing without God, but God has chosen human agencies to cooperate with His divine power. We are laborers together with God. He has made His church the depository of sacred trusts. His people are the channels through which spiritual light flows to the world. Your heart, your mind, and all your affections belong undividedly and eternally to Christ. If you are accepted in Christ, what are you doing for him?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Lt 84, 1887

5LtMs, Lt 84, 1887, par. 8

Brethren Matteson and Olsen are much pleased with success that promises to attend the meeting. Tomorrow is also a holiday so that there is nothing to hinder the people from coming out to hear. May the good seed of truth be dropped into the souls of many. “God giveth the increase.” [1 Corinthians 3:7.] I attend the morning meeting and speak in the afternoon as today, if the Lord giveth me strength.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Lt 22, 1890

6LtMs, Lt 22, 1890, par. 6

“Neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” [1 Corinthians 3:7.] Here is presented the comparative value of the two agencies, the human and the divine. The Lord Jesus declared, “Without me you can do nothing.” [John 15:5.] Man can accomplish nothing without God, but God has chosen human agencies to cooperate with His divine power. We are laborers together with God. He has made His church the depository of sacred trusts. His people are the channels through which spiritual light flows to the world. Your heart, your mind, and all your affections, belong undividedly and eternally to Christ. If you are accepted in Christ, what are you doing for Him?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 27, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 27, 1893, par. 4

Without faith it is impossible to please God. “Without me,” says Christ, “ye can do nothing.” [John 15:5.] “Neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” [1 Corinthians 3:7.] Here is the comparative estimate placed on the human and the divine agency. It is God’s plan that the human should co-operate with the divine. The frail human instrumentality, in and of itself, is nothing; but through connection with the Source of all power, by living faith, the human agent becomes a laborer together with God. All the eloquence and power of the human, alone, can accomplish nothing in the conversion of a soul; but the Holy Spirit of God acts through and uses the inferior instrument for the accomplishment of the work. The divine agency alone can give efficiency. The human worker must place himself in the divine channel. The ministry fills an important place in the divine plan. For “how can they believe in him whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without a preacher?” [Romans 10:14.] We are dependent upon the Spirit of God. Faith in Christ is essential in every plan, in every movement, even in temporal business.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Ms 41, 1906

21LtMs, Ms 41, 1906, par. 18

A voice is to be heard in the Tabernacle giving the Word of God in clear notes of warning for this time. God has His human instrumentalities that shall not hold their peace. They are to advocate the Word and work and way of the Lord, to be accomplished through His human instrumentalities. In a clear, decided manner they are to proclaim the truth in distinct lines. None of the dangerous sophistries devised by Satan are to be introduced; for these lead to skepticism of the fundamental truths that the Lord has substantiated by many miraculous evidences during the past half century. A voice is to be heard in clear affirmation of the truth, in contradistinction to the skepticism and fallacies that have been coming in from the enemy of truth. Spiritual transformations will take place, and the working out of the principles of divine truth will reveal the change of character; for the divine agencies are efficient to address the human understanding. “So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” [1 Corinthians 3:7.] Oh, let us win souls to Christ. Let us labor as those who have experienced the virtue of truth as it is in Jesus.

This Day With God

Partners With God, September 24

TDG 276.1

So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:7.

TDG 276.3

The former and the latter rains are needed. “We are labourers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9). The Lord alone can give the precious former and latter rain. The clouds, the sunshine, the dews at night—these are heaven’s most precious provisions. But all these favors graciously bestowed of Heaven will prove of little worth to those who do not appropriate them by diligent, painstaking effort on their part. Personal efforts must be put forth in agriculture. There is the plowing and replowing. Implements must be brought in and human skill must use them. The seed must be sown in its season. The laws which control seedtime and harvest must be observed, else there will be no harvest....

TDG 276.4

The apostle brings in another figure: “Ye are God’s building” (verse 9)—an edifice to be erected. The construction of a building calls for skill in using the timber which God has caused to grow for the happiness and blessing of man. The Lord has provided the forest trees, and now man must use the trees. They must be cut down and prepared by saw, and axe, and wedge, and hammer, to be fitted for the building....

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Ms 6, 1892

7LtMs, Ms 6, 1892, par. 48

“Neither is he that planted anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” [1 Corinthians 3:7.] Here is plainly represented the comparative value of the two agencies, the human and the divine. The Lord Jesus understands this matter fully, that man cannot accomplish any good thing without God. But God has honored human agencies by taking them into partnership with His divine power. “We are laborers together with God.” [Verse 9.] Here is an association that is pure, elevating, ennobling. God has made His church the depositaries of sacred trusts; His people are the channels through which spiritual life flows to the world.

This Day With God

Receive That You May Give, September 1

TDG 253.1

Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 1 Corinthians 3:8.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Ms 35, 1887

5LtMs, Ms 35, 1887, par. 12

I have had a very restless night. It is light until nearly eleven o’clock in midsummer, although the sun sets about half-past nine or ten o’clock. The children kept up their amusements, hollering and shouting and running upon the rocky pavements, making it impossible to sleep. I arose about half-past four. Attended the half-past five o’clock morning meeting. There were fifty-two present, intelligent looking men and women. I spoke to them from 1 Corinthians 3:8-13. There were good testimonies borne which were interpreted to me by Brother Olsen. Brother Olsen speaks this forenoon. Elder Ings gives a Bible reading at half-past two. I speak at five o’clock. Elder Matteson speaks at eight o’clock.

Christ Triumphant

We Are Laborers Together With God, December 20

CTr 361.1

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:9.

Faith and Works

God Works, and Man Works

FW 26.2

“Ye are God’s husbandry” (1 Corinthians 3:9). The heart is to be worked, subdued, plowed, harrowed, seeded, to bring forth its harvest to God in good works. “Ye are God’s building.” You cannot build yourself. There is a Power outside of yourself that must do the building of the church, putting brick upon brick, always cooperating with the faculties and powers given of God to man. The Redeemer must find a home in His building. God works and man works. There needs to be a continual taking in of the gifts of God, in order that there may be as free a giving out of these gifts. It is a continual receiving and then restoring. The Lord has provided that the soul shall receive nourishment from Him, to be given out again in the working out of His purposes. In order that there be an outflowing, there must be an income of divinity to humanity. “I will dwell in them, and walk in them” (2 Corinthians 6:16).

Sermons and Talks, vol. 1

Eternal Life

1SAT 246.1

We want Christ and His obedience and we want to drink in of the Spirit of God. I want to be like Him. I want to practice His virtues and be a doer of the Word. And what did He say on the Mount? “Think not”—on their startled ears fell the words, their very thoughts unrolled before them—“think not that I am come to destroy the law of the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). He came to fulfill every specification of the law. “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (V. 18). I want you to take this. It is the word of God. You will hear from the word of men that the law is abolished and that it is not binding upon men. And they act just so. But you cannot afford to work against God. “Ye are laborers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9). I would rather be a laborer with God than to be laboring counter to Him. I see in Him matchless charms.

Sermons and Talks, vol. 1

Seeking Heavenly Treasures

1SAT 256.2

He wants us to do what? “We are laborers together with God; ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” [1 Corinthians 3:9]. And that is what we are in the world for—not to eat and to drink and to attend horse races, and to use the holidays in idling and in gratifying self; and if we have a shilling, get on the cars and go somewhere to have a good time. There are souls to be saved. There are youth to be educated by our precept and example. The Lord is coming. The end of all things is at hand, and it is time now, as the end of all things is at hand, that we commence the work for youth; that we begin to see what we can do to gather souls to Jesus Christ. There is poverty around us; there is distress; there are the naked to clothe, the hungry to feed; and those that are thirsting for the water of life and hungering for the bread of salvation, we want to give it to them.

The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials

Danger of False Ideas on Justification by Faith

1888 818.4

“Ye are God’s husbandry.” 1 Corinthians 3:9. The heart is to be worked, subdued, ploughed, harrowed, seeded to bring forth its harvest to God in good works. “Ye are God’s building.” You cannot build yourself. There is a Power outside of yourself that must do the building of the church, putting brick upon brick, always cooperating with the faculties and powers given of God to man. The Redeemer must find a home in His building. God works and man works. There needs to be a continual taking in of the gifts of God, in order that there may be as free a giving out of these gifts. It is a continual receiving and then restoring. The Lord has provided that the soul shall receive nourishment from Him, to be given out again in the working out of His purposes. In order that there be an outflowing, there must be an income of divinity to humanity. “I will dwell in them, and walk in them.” 2 Corinthians 6:16.

The Kress Collection

The Physician’s Work a Cure of Souls

KC 51.3

Every opportunity of working as Christ worked should be carefully improved. The physician should talk of the works of healing wrought by Christ, of His tenderness and love. He should believe that Jesus is his companion, close by his side. “We are laborers together with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9. Never should the physician neglect to direct the minds of his patients to Christ. If he has the Saviour abiding in his own heart, his thoughts will ever be directed to the great Healer of soul and body. He will lead the minds of sufferers to Him who can restore, who when on earth restored the sick to health, and healed the soul as well as the body, saying, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” Mark 2:5.

Sermons and Talks, vol. 2

Manuscript 8, 1904

2SAT 250.3

While living in this world, we are to be God’s helping hand. Paul declared, “Ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” [1 Corinthians 3:9]. We are to cooperate with God in every measure that He desires to carry out. Are we fulfilling the purpose of the eternal God? Are we daily seeking to have the mind of Christ and to do His will in word and work?

2SAT 252.1

Of those who do their part faithfully, it is said, “Ye are laborers together with God” [1 Corinthians 3:9]. Apart from divine aid, man can do very little; but the heavenly Father and His Son are ready to work through everyone who consecrates himself wholly on the altar of service. Every soul before me may cooperate with God, and labor for Him acceptably. The Lord desires us all to come into line. To every man He has given an appointed work, according to their several ability.

Australasian Union Conference Record

November 23, 1908

AUCR November 23, 1908, par. 1

“For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9.

The Colporteur Evangelist

Enduring Hardness

CEv 84.4

Christ laid aside His glory and came to this earth to suffer for sinners. If we meet with hardships in our work, let us look to Him who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Then we shall not fail nor be discouraged. We shall endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. Remember what He says of all true believers: “We are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9.

The Review and Herald

January 19, 1864

RH January 19, 1864, par. 15

“I saw that ministers who labored in word and doctrine have a great work before them, and a heavy responsibility rests upon them. I saw that when they labor they do not come close enough to hearts. Their work is too general, and often too scattered. Their labor must be concentrated to the very ones they are laboring for. When they are preaching in the desk, their work is only commenced. They must then live out their preaching, ever guard themselves, that they bring not a reproach upon the cause of God. They should illustrate by example the life of Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:9. ‘For we are laborers together with God.’ 2 Corinthians 6:1. ‘We then as workers together with him beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.’ The minister’s work is not done when he leaves the desk. He should not then throw off the burden and occupy his mind with reading or writing, unless it is actually necessary; but should follow up his public labors by private efforts—laboring personally for souls whenever an opportunity presents—conversing around the fireside, beseeching and entreating souls in Christ’s stead to be reconciled to God. Our work here is soon to close, ‘and every man will receive his own reward according to his own labor.’

The Review and Herald

June 14, 1887

RH June 14, 1887, par. 1

“For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9.

Faith and Works

Not Saved in Indolence

FW 71.4

Now we want that faith. But will man be saved in indolence? Can he be saved in doing nothing? Never, never! He must be a colaborer with Jesus Christ. He cannot save himself. “We are labourers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9). And how is it? All heaven is laboring to elevate the human race from the degradation of sin. All heaven is open to the inhabitants of earth. The angels of God are sent to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. “It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

Testimony Treasures, vol. 2

Restore the Fallen

2TT 89.2

God’s Building. “Ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9. This figure represents human character, which is to be wrought upon, point by point. Each day God works with His building, stroke upon stroke, to perfect the structure, that it may become a holy temple for Him. Man is to co-operate with God. Each worker is to become just what God designs him to be, building his life with pure, noble deeds, that in the end his character may be a symmetrical structure, a fair temple, honored by God and man. There is to be no flaw in the building, for it is the Lord’s. Every stone must be perfectly laid, that it may endure the pressure placed upon it. One stone laid wrong will affect the whole building. To you and to every other worker God gives the warning: “Take heed how you build, that your building may stand the test of storm and tempest, because it is founded on the eternal Rock. Place the stone on the sure foundation, that you may make ready for the day of test and trial, when all will be seen just as they are.”

Testimony Treasures, vol. 2

Reflecting God’s Glory

2TT 328.1

“We are laborers together with God,” “stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9; 1 Peter 4:10. The knowledge of God’s grace, the truths of His word, and temporal gifts as well,—time and means, talents and influence,—are all a trust from God to be employed to His glory and the salvation of men. Nothing can be more offensive to God, who is constantly bestowing His gifts upon man, than to see him selfishly grasping these gifts and making no returns to the Giver. Jesus is today in heaven preparing mansions for those who love Him; yes, more than mansions, a kingdom which is to be ours. But all who shall inherit these blessings must be partakers of the self-denial and self-sacrifice of Christ for the good of others.