Christian Responsibility and Accountability
Lesson 13
Lesson Thirteen
Remember Who We Are
Text: 1 Corinthians 3:16,17
The first four chapters of the letter we call 1 Corinthians were committed to a discussion of
congregational division in the troubled congregation at Corinth. The division problem in that
congregation is introduced in 1:10: Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made
complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.
The rivaling groups within the congregation declared different allegiances: "I am of Paul; I am of
Apollos; I am of Cephas (Peter); I am of Christ." Several things are worthy of special attention.
(1) Paul made it clear he did not encourage Christians in Corinth to form a group devoted to him.
(2) None of the groups were commended, not even those who declared, "I am of Christ." All of
them were wrong. None were complimented. (3) This was a problem within the congregation.
The groups were rivaling each other within the congregation. The division problem was a problem
among Christians, not among external forces that opposed Jesus Christ. (4) Paul, Apollos,
Peter, or any other preacher/teacher/apostle should be viewed by Christians only as tools used
by God for His purposes (3:1-9). The significance was in the God who gave these men a
message and enabled them to serve, not in the human individual. (5) Dedication must be to
advancing God's purposes, not to championing an individual.
It is in the context of opposing those who promote division among Christians that one of the
strongest statements in the New Testament was made. This strong statement declared
Christians who promote or champion division do not know who they are. The statement began
with an identity reminder: [my paraphrase] "Do you not realize that you (the congregation) are
God's temple housing God's Spirit who lives in you (the Christian individual)?"
This is an instance when one translation provides an insight other translations do not note.
(Each translation has its strengths and weakness. The fullest insights are gained by noting the
strengths of each translation.) In Greek, the original language of the documents composing New
Testament, there is a plural pronoun for "you" and a singular pronoun for "you." In English, the
pronoun "you" is used for both the plural and the singular. "'You' (the team) must play hard if we
are to win!" Or, "'You' (a person in a key position) must play hard if we are to win!" In English,
only the context indicates if "you" is singular or plural. In Greek, the "you" is either in singular
form or plural form. The King James translation distinguishes between the singular and plural
'you'. When the plural form of "you" occurs, the King James translates the plural form with "ye."
Note the difference:
New American Standard: "Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of
God dwells in you?"
King James: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in
you?"
Or, "Understand your identify as a congregation and as an individual Christian. Division is
unworthy of you as a community of Christians and of you as Christian individuals!"
The Jewish temple was a building devoted to one purpose: honoring the presence of God. The
congregation is dedicated to one purpose: honoring the presence of God. The Christian
individual is dedicated to one purpose: honoring the presence of God. There was a time when
God's temple was a building. No longer! God's temple is His people. There was a time when
God's presence filled a building (1 Kings 8:11; 2 Chronicles 5:14). No longer! God's presence
must fill His people. God's presence cannot fill His people if His people promote division.
Division among Christians is the opposite of God's presence!
Congregations exist to radiate God's presence. The Christian individual also exists to radiate
God's presence. Collectively, we are God's community because of God's presence. Individually,
we are God's possession because of God's presence.
God's ability to make His presence evident in a congregation who accepts the rule of the Lord
Jesus Christ and to make His presence evident in the life of the man or woman who belongs to
Him is extremely important. That importance is evidenced by God's perseverance!
When I was a boy, 1 Corinthians 3:17 was frequently used to oppose anything regarded
destructive to the human body--tobacco, alcohol, promiscuous behavior, etc. In context, the
concept is much more serious than that. God made an enormous investment to bring the
Christian community and the Christian individual into existence. He was extremely patient. He
invested the life of His son. He invested the death of His son. He invested the resurrection of
His son. He kept His promise and His oath--in spite of all the oppositions of Satan and the
failures of people. To destroy God's enormous investment is to anger God in a manner that
welcomes destruction. To allow internal division to destroy God's holy temple invites the
destruction of those who cause division.
The directive is clear: do not destroy a congregation! If you do, you will receive God's
destruction! We are accountable for the way we interact with the Christian community as
Christian individuals! God's purpose is to declare His holiness through His people. We dare not
oppose God's purpose collectively or individually!
For Thought and Discussion
- What is the overall focus of 1 Corinthians chapters 1-4?
- Discuss the fact that every translation has strengths and weaknesses.
- What is the strength to be found in the King James translation in 1 Corinthians 3:16?
- How did the presence of God reveal itself when He accepted the Jewish temple?
- What is now the temple of God?
- For what reason do congregations and Christian individuals exist?
- Discuss the seriousness of destroying "the temple of God."
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 13
Copyright © 2005
David Chadwell & West-Ark Church of Christ
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