1 Corinthians 3:1-5

§ 12. CHRIST'S SERVANTS ANSWERABLE TO HIMSELF. The Ap. has shown his readers their own true position so high and yet so lowly (§ 11); Paul, Apollos, Cephas are but part of a universe of ministry that waits upon them. But more is to be said about the Christian leaders, whose names are sc much abused at Cor [629] If the Church is to understand its proper character, it must reverence theirs. They are its servants; it is not their master. They are its property, because they are Christ's property; and His instruments first of all. P. thus resumes the train of thought opened in § 10, where the work of Church-builders was discriminated in relation to the building; now it is viewed in its relation to God the Householder. Here lies another and the final ground of accusation against the Cor [630] parties: those who maintained them, in applauding this chief and censuring that, were putting themselves into Christ's judgment-seat, from which the Apostle thrusts them down.

[629] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[630] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.