A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold is as pictures of silver.(Prov.25:11) It is so important to speak the right words to people at the right time to produce the right results. When you think of apples of gold in pictures of silver, then you are thinking of wealth and excellence. When we speak wisdom into the lives of others we are making them wealthy. Therefore we must seek God for He is the source of all wisdom and He will give us just the right words needed at the right time.
Comments
#We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst and are naked and are buffeted and have no certain dwelling place; and labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. I Cor. 4:10-13
As Christians, we are fools for Christ's sake to this world for the glory of God. We are weak, while others are honorable. We are despised while others are strong. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we intreat: we are made as to the filth of the world and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. We praise God for the chance to suffer for Christ's sake and glorify the Lord in our bodies even though we are pilgrims and strangers in this present world.
#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 is, puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? 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? Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. I Cor.4:6-8
It is important to us not to think of men more than we ought to. For it is God who makes us differ from another. Now we are rich in Christ Jesus and are seated with Him in heavenly places. We can reign as kings by the power of God for He has given us all things that we have received.
#Let a man so account of us, as the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man is 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 my 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 comes, 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. I Cor. 4:1-5
Paul points out that we are ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards to be found faithful. For, Christ will judge us and bring the hidden things of darkness to light. Then shall every man have praise of God. Thank the Lord for the changing of the seasons, as it reminds us that time is moving us closer to the coming of the Lord and we need to be found faithful in our service.
#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. 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. I Cor. 3:18-23
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. It has pleased God that through the foolishness of the preaching of the gospel, to save them that believe. And again God knows 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, of Peter, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours. This passage is compared to Romans 8 for we are Christ's and Christ is God's. So let every man be careful how he walks not as wise but as fools for Christ's sake.
#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 defiles the temple of God, he shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. I Cor. 3:15-17
The temple is holy and must not be defiled, for God will destroy anyone that defiles the temple. Whoever has their works burned up, they shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved by fire. Whoever is at the Beama Seat of Christ shall be saved and only the loss of rewards will be the issue. So be ye holy and at peace with all men, so that you will have a reward in heaven.
#Now if any man builds upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, had, 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 abides which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. I Cor. 3:12-14
Yes, the Holy Spirit shall try every man's work by fire. For the day shall declare it of what sort it is, as gold, silver, and precious stone will not burn. Yet wood, hay, and stubble shall burn, for the quality of every man's work shall determine it at the Beama Seat of Christ.
#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. I Cor.3:10,11
Paul has learned to build on the solid foundation, who is Jesus Christ and every man must be careful how he builds, for no other foundation can no man lay than which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. For we are workers together with Jesus Christ and let the Holy Spirit guide us into all righteousness. Because we will all give an account of our works at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
#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. I Cor. 3:8,9
We are considered to be farmers of God planting seeds and watering them. We must be careful that we do not worship men, but be followers of God for we are his building. The preacher is nothing but a servant of God to lead men and women to Christ through the preaching of the gospel. God will reward us for our faithfulness to the task.
#I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watered, but God that giveth the increase. I Cor. 3:6,7
Paul has stated that he plants the word of God in his preaching, while Apollos has been appointed to water what has been planted, but it is God who gives the increase. So neither is the person who plants greater or least, but it is God who must be praised because He alone gives the increase.
#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 Cor. 3:1-5
Paul wanted to preach to the Corinthians as spiritual, but they were carnal, for there were some who were attached to Apollos. So they were fed milk and not meat; for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. Meat is for the mature who know right from wrong and exercise themselves into righteousness. So Paul said who then is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? For Apollos preached the Baptism of John and was not as Paul preached the doctrines of Christ. We must be followers of Christ and not of men.