Paul is exhorting the brethren at Corinth to not forget by whom they were saved, vs 5: What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. (NAS) Paul reminded them, that he only planted (the seed through the preaching of the gospel); Apollos watered (the seed through his ministry); but only God can provide the increase (birthing of souls into the kingdom). In our lives today, we should remember that we can only do so much and then we must pray that God will ultimately fill new babes with His Spirit.
The church at Corinth did not have a solid and simple truth that they stood on even after the ministering of Paul and Apollos. Paul reminded them that given the foundation that his preaching laid (Jesus Christ-vs 11), they couldn't lay another foundation nor could they adequately build a house that is made of worldly things – gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble. Why? Because vs 13 says that fire will come to test the house and the one that abides will produce a reward (vs 14).
Then Paul equates the house to a man's body and reminds that our bodies are the temple of God. If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (KJV, vs 17) We should be reminded of this daily and understand that this does not apply to the outward appearance only, but since the Spirit of God dwelleth in you (vs 16), then whatever we put into our bodies, whether through our eyes or ears is forcing God to share the space with that thing/habit.
Men, let's remember that our lives are built upon the chief cornerstone-Jesus Christ and we should build our lives with what allows us to receive a great reward-heaven. Let's pray that God will put a guard about our eyes and ears and remind us that whatever we are digesting is sharing space with God, let it be something He doesn't mind sharing space with, 'for ye are Christ's'!! (vs 23)
Tim Jacobs
