BHT with Abridged Translator’s Notes1 Corinthians 3 =
3
“Each Person...Must Be Very Careful About How He Builds”
1 And so as for me, brothers and sisters, I wasn’t able to speak to you as I would speak to people governed by the Spirit. No, I had to talk to you as I would to people who belong to the world,+ as I would to infants in union with the Messiah. 2 It was with milk that I had to feed you, not solid food, because you weren’t yet ready for it. In fact, you aren’t ready for it even now, 3 seeing as you are still acting just like the rest of the world.+ Wherever there exists among you jealousy and bitter arguing, you see, you are worldly, are you not? It is by mere human standards+ that you are conducting yourselves, is it not? 4 When, after all, one of you says, “I am Paul’s disciple,” and someone else, “I follow Apollos,” is it not like people devoid of the Spirit that you are conducting yourselves+? 5 What, then, is Apollos? Or what is Paul? Mere servants through whom you came to believe, each of us, indeed, doing what the Lord assigned.+ 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the plant to grow. 7 As a result, it is neither the person who plants nor the person who waters who is of any special account,+ but God, who causes the plant to grow. 8 The person who plants and the person who waters, moreover, do their work with the same goal in mind,+ and each one will receive, in keeping with his own hard work, his own reward.+ 9 Yes, it is in God’s service that Apollos and I+ work together;+ you are God’s field, God’s building. 10 According to the ability that God freely gave to me,+ as a wise master-builder it was the foundation that I set in place. Someone else, moreover, is building on it. Each person, though, must be very careful about how he builds. 11 No one can lay any foundation, you see, other than the one already set in place, namely, Jesus the Messiah.
12 Now whether someone builds on the foundation using enduring materials+ like gold, silver, and precious stones, or with perishable materials+ like wood, hay, or straw, 13 the nature of each person’s work will become very evident. The Day, you see, will show it for what it truly is, because that Day+ will be revealed with fire,+ and each person’s work—its true quality—the fire will put to the test. 14 If someone’s work endures—what he built on the foundation—he will receive a reward. 15 If someone’s work is burned up, he will have to bear the loss.+ Though he himself will be saved, it will be like one who barely escapes through the flames.+ 16 Surely you realize, don’t you, that you constitute the very sanctuary of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in your midst+? 17 If anyone destroys the sanctuary of God, God will destroy this person. The sanctuary of God, you see, is holy, and you yourselves are that sanctuary. 18 Let no one deceive himself! If someone among you considers himself to be wise by the standards of this age,+ he must become a fool, so that he may become truly wise. 19 The so-called wisdom of this world, you see, is utter foolishness in the sight of God. For it is written:
“He traps the wise in their cleverness.”+
20 And again,
“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise,
that they are worthless and deluded.”+
21 So then, enough of the prideful talk over which puny little human you follow!+ All things, after all, are yours,+ 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Kefa or the world or life or death or things present or things to come.+ All things are yours! 23 You, moreover, serve and belong to the Messiah,+ and the Messiah serves and belongs to God.+
+1:1Or called. Following L-N in translation here (see L-N, 33.314).+1:2Lit summoned to be holy, or called/summoned to be saints. Cf 1 Th 4:7, 5:23; 2 Th 2:13.+1:3Unless otherwise marked (through superscript—ˢyou), all second person pronouns are in the second person plural.+1:5Or speech.+1:6Cf 1 Th 1:5.+1:6Cf 1 Co 2:1-5; Th 1:5. Translating ἐν ὑμῖν ( en humin) in a way similar to 1 Th 1:5 (cf CJB, ISV, NCV, NLT, and TEV at 1 Th 1:5). Paul’s point here is similar to his statements in 1 Th 1:4-5.+1:8Lit who.+1:8Cf Php 1:10; Col 1:22 Th 3:12, 5:23; Jud 24.+1:9Or trustworthy. Cf 1 Th 5:24; 2 Th 3:3.+1:9Or called, or invited.+1:9Cf Rm 5:3, 8:17, 8:27-30; Ga 2:20-21, 3:26-29; Php 3:10, 3:21; Col 3:1-4.+1:10Lit speak the same thing. ME (see BDAG, 588, sv λέγω 1.a.α.; ESS [1 Co 1-9], 32; UBSHS [1 Co], 20).+1:10For the basis of this rendering of νοῦς ( nous), see BDAG, 680, sv 2.b. An attitude of humility is what Paul means here (cf Php 2).+1:10Lit be restored to order/unity in the same mind and in the same conviction.+1:11Lit for it was made clear to me concerning you, my brothers, by those of Chloe, that there are bitter arguments/quarrels among you. ME. The mismatch in languages here is obvious.+1:12Lit each of you says. In English, this type of statement is more clearly and naturally expressed by distributing the subject and grouping it with the claim. Cf CJB, NCV, NIV, NLT.+1:12Lit I am of Paul. ME (see UBSHS [1 Co], 21). Variations of this are used here and in 1 Co 3:1, to aid in the translation of 3:21 (where the genitive is functioning on multiple levels at the same time, and where the things referred to are very diverse in nature).+1:13Or on your behalf, or in your place. See note at Ga 1:3.+1:13Cf Col 1:13.+1:16Cf CJB, NLT, TEV.+1:17Lit not with wisdom of speech/word. ME (see BDAG, 599, sv λόγος 1.a.β.; notes at 1 Th 1:5).+1:18Or deliverance.+1:19Cf Mt 11:25.+1:19Is 29:14+1:20Lit where. EFE. Though intelligible to some degree, the intended effect and meaning of the rhetorical question here doesn’t transfer as naturally into English simply with “where” (cf UBSHS [1 Co], 31). The CJB, LB, NCV, and TEV are best here.+1:20Lit where. EFE. See previous note.+1:20Lit where. EFE. See previous two notes.+1:20Lit Did not God make foolish the wisdom of the world? ME (see UBSHS [1 Co], 31). Cf TEV.+1:21Lit Since in the wisdom of God. ME (see ESS [1 Co 1-9], 52; UBSHS [1 Co], 32). Cf CJB, NLT, TEV.+1:21Cf Mt 11:25-28; Jn 1:18.+1:21IT. Cf TEV; UBSHS [1 Co], 32; v 1:18 above.+1:21Or in him. The object of faith is implied contextually. Cf CJB.+1:22Lit Greeks.+1:23Cf Dt 32:21; Ps 118:22; Is 28:16; Ac 22:22; Rm 9:33, 10:19, 11:9; 1 Pe 2:6-8.+1:23Because of the importance of the “stumbling block” motif in NT teaching, especially with regard to the Jewish people (see, eg, Ps 118:22; Is 28:16; Rm 9:33, 11:9; 1 Pe 2:6-8), I thought it important to maintain the literal imagery here. I have clarified the meaning (see L-N, 25.181), though, with an appositional phrase.+1:23See previous note.+1:23Cf Ac 17:16-21.+1:24Or called, or invited.+1:24Lit Greeks.+1:26Lit look at your calling. ME (see NET Bible Notes, 1 Co 1:26; UBSHS [1 Co], 37). Cf NET, TEV.+1:27Lit the foolish things of the world. ME Cf CJB, NLT, TEV.+1:27Or chose, or has chosen.+1:27Cf Dt 7:7-9; 1 Sm 16:1-12; 2 Sm 7:8; Am 7:14; Ac 4:13.+1:27Lit the weak things of the world. ME. Cf CJB, TEV.+1:28Lit the insignificant things of the world and the despised things. ME. Cf NCV, TEV.+1:28Lit the things not being. ME (see ESS [1 Co 1-9], 65; UBSHS [1 Co], 39). Cf NLT, NCV, TEV.+1:28Lit the things being. ME. Cf CJB, NCV, NLT, TEV. Here, the opposite of “the things not being” is meant (see note earlier in this verse).+1:29Lit all flesh, or any flesh, or any kind of flesh. Translated according to “Flesh” M, N (see FBT Chart). Cf translation and note at Ac 2:17.+1:29Lit so that no flesh may boast. ME (see notes at 2 Co 1:14).+1:30Lit out of him, or from him, or because of him, or by him. ME. Cf NASB, NCV, NLT, REB, TEV, TNT. Cf Dt 7:7-9, 9:4-6; Jr 9:23-24; Rm 9:14-18; 1 Jn 4:19; v 31.+1:30Cf CJB, ISV, NLT, TEV.+1:30This may well be an allusion to the cornerstone motif (cf Ps 118:22; Mt 21:42-43; Mk 12:10-11; Ac 4:11). Cf παρὰ κυρίου ( para kuriou) in Mt 21:42 with ἐξ αὐτοῦ ( ex autou) and ἀπὸ θεοῦ ( apo theou) in this verse, and note how this element receives focal prominence here and in Mt 21:42. Cf also the TEV’s translation of γίνομαι at Mt 21:28.+1:30Lit sanctification. ME/IT (see Timothy Miller, “Paul’s Priestly Mission and Salvation from the Coming Wrath: A Missiological Probe of Romans 15:16 and the Question of Divine Anger through the Worldview of Leviticus” [PhD diss., Columbia International University, 2024]).+1:31Lit boasts. ME (see notes at 2 Co 1:14).+1:31Lit in the Lord. ME(OTB) (see UBSHS [1 Co], 42; cf, eg, Ps 77:11, 78:4, 106:2). Cf TEV. Ga 6:14 confirms that the TEV has rightly identified the intending meaning here. Cf Rm 1:16-17.+1:31Jr 9:24+2:4Lit in persuasion of wisdom. ME. Cf NCV, NIV, NLT.+2:4Lit proof/demonstration [consisting] of the Spirit and power. ME. Following the lead of BDAG in translation here (see BDAG, 109, sv ἀπόδειξις), with the information in the verbal noun activated in verb form for more natural expression in English. Cf Ac 10:44-48, 11:15-17; Ga 4:6-7; 1 Th 1:5.+2:6Cf Ps 110:5-6; Is 24:21-23; Dn 10; Zc 14; 1 Co 6:1-3; Eph 3:10-11; 1 Jn 5:19; Re 19:11-21:15.+2:7Cf Rm 16:25; Eph 3:3-9; Col 1:25-28.+2:7The antecedent here is “wisdom.” When used with προορίζω ( proorizō), a wise plan or decision is meant (see L-N, 30.84; UBSHS [1 Co], 54; Ac 4:28; Eph 3:9). Cf NCV, NLT.+2:7Lit unto/for/with a view to our glory. ME (see BDAG, 257, sv δόξα 1.c.; translation and notes at Jn 7:39, Rm 8:30). Cf Is 52:12-53:12; 1 Pt 1:20.+2:8Cf Is 40:13-14; Rm 11:34.+2:8Cf Is 53:1; Jn 1:14, 12:38; Php 2:6-11; 1 Ti 3:16.+2:9Lit not ascend in/on the heart of man. ME(I/F) (see BDAG, 58, sv ἀναβαίνω 2; L-N, 30.17; UBSHS [1 Co], 56). Cf HCSB.+2:9Is 64:4+2:10Cf Eph 3:4-6; Col 1:26-27.+2:10Lit the deep things of God. ME (see L-N, 28.76; UBSHS [Re], 61). Cf Dn 2:20-23; 1 Pt 1:11.+2:11Lit Who among men knows the things of the man except the spirit of the man that is in him? ME. The gap between languages here is obvious. Cf NLT.+2:11Lit the things. What the “things” are is made clear from the context. Cf ESV, HCSB, NASB, RSV.+2:13Cf Is 54:13. Cf Jr 31:33-34; Jn 6:45, 16:13; Rm 2:15; 1 Th 4:9; Heb 8:10-11; 1 Jn 2:27.+2:13Or comparing things of the Spirit with things of the Spirit. Though I am not dogmatic here, Paul’s use of πνευματικοῖς ( pneumatikois) in 1 Co 3:1 causes me to favor the interpretation reflected in the translation. Also, looking to the context for the intended meaning of πνευματικὰ ( pneumatika) here: “My message and my preaching” (v 4); “God has revealed them to us by the Spirit” (v 10); “so that we may understand” (v 12); “taught by the Spirit” (v 13); “unable to understand” (v 14); “examined and understood” (v 14); “examine and understand all things” (v 15).+2:14Lit the natural man. ME (see ANLEX, 414, sv ψυχικός 2; UBSHS [1 Co], 61). In addition to the immediate context, Jude 19 makes it clear what is meant by ψυχικός ( psuchikos) here. Cf NIV, NCV, TEV.+2:14Cf Jn 14:15-17.+2:14Lit they.+2:15Cf 1 Co 4:8-13; Heb 11.+2:16A loose quotation of Is 40:13 (LXX).+2:16IT/ME(OTB) (see BDAG, 680, sv νοῦς 3; UBSHS [1 Co], 63; MT of Is 40:13, where rûach [“spirit/breath/mind”] is used). Many English readers might not realize the close relationship between spirit and mind presupposed by Paul’s statement here. Therefore, the IT has been made explicit in translation, so that the connection between this statement and information activated in the broader context is not lost in translation.+3:1Lit as to fleshly people. ME (see L-N, 41.42; UBSHS [1 Co], 67). Cf CJB, ISV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+3:3Lit for still you are fleshly. ME (see note at v 1).+3:3Lit according to man. ME (see NET Bible Notes, 1 Co 3:3). Cf CJB, LET, NCV, NET, NLT, TEV.+3:4Lit Are you not men? ME (see NET Bible Notes, 1 Co 3:3; UBSHS [1 Co], 70).+3:5Lit to each as the Lord gave. ME. Cf NCV, NLT.+3:7Cf NAB.+3:8Or are united. Lit are one. ME (see ESS [1 Co 1-9], 119; UBSHS [1 Co], 73). Cf HCSB, ISV, NCV, NIV, NLT, NRSV.+3:8Or wages.+3:9Lit we. The “we” here is an exclusive we, referring to Paul and Apollos (see UBSHS [1 Co], 74). Cf NLT. Cf also 1 Co 4:6.+3:9Lit For we are fellow-workers for God, or For we are God’s fellow-workers. ME. Cf REB, NCV, NRSV, TEV.+3:10Lit according to the grace/gracious gift of God that was given to me. ME (see ANLEX, 407, sv χάρις 3; UBSHS [1 Co], 75).+3:12ME(H)/IT (see ESS [1 Co 1-9], 128; UBSHS [1 Co], 77). Cf v 14.+3:12ME (H)/IT (see previous note).+3:13Or because each person’s work. Lit it.+3:13Cf 2 Pt 3.+3:15Or he will be punished. Cf REB.+3:15Lit but so as through fire. ME (see BDAG, 898, sv πῦρ a.; UBSHS [1 Co], 79). Cf CJB, HCSB ISV, NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+3:16Or in you, or among you.+3:18Lit in this age. ME (see L-N, 41.38). Cf NIV, NLT.+3:19Jb 5:13+3:20Ps 94:11. Cf the translation of μάταιος [ mataios] here with that at 1 Co 15:17. I have also used “worthless,” though, to preserve potential links in thought with Rm 1:21.+3:21Lit let no one boast in men. ME (see UBSHS [1 Co], 84; notes at Mt 19:26; 1 Co 1:12, 3:4). Cf HCSB, NET, NCV.+3:21The genitive is functioning at maximum capacity here, with different shades of meaning simultaneously at work because of the diverse nature of the things referred to in the list that follows. With Paul, Apollos, and Cephas, the meaning is that these men are given by God to serve the Corinthians. With “world,” the inheritance that believers will receive at the Second Coming is in view (cf Rm 4:13; Ga 4). “Life” could also conceivably be included with the inheritance, but because it is grouped with death (which certainly isn’t part of the inheritance), “life or death” most likely means something along the lines of passages like 2 Co 2:15, 4:1-12, and 2 Co 11:23, Eph 3:1, Php 1:20-25, Col 1:24, and 1 Th 1:5. “Things present” means the things experienced in this age for our good (cf Rm 8:28-29), and “things to come” refers again to the future inheritance (cf, eg, Rm 8:17). Cf ESS (1 Co 1-9), 143-6.+3:22Cf Jn 13:12-17; Rm 4:13, 8:17, 8:28-9; 2 Co 2:15, 4:1-12; Ga 4; Eph 3:1; Php 1:20-25, 3:10-11; Col 1:24; 1 Th 1:5.+3:23Lit You are of the Messiah. Maintaining consistency in translation with 1 Co 1:12 (see translation and note there).+3:23Lit the Messiah is of God. ME (see ESS [1 Co 1-9], 146). Cf Rm 8:17; 1 Co 11:3, 15:28.
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