1 Corinthians 3

1 My fellow believers, [when I was with you previously], I was not able to teach you as [I would teach people who are controlled by the Holy] Spirit {[whom the Holy] Spirit [controls]}. Instead, [I had to teach you as I would teach] people whom their self-directed nature controls. [I taught very simple concepts to you who had recently believed] in Christ, [as a parent would speak very simple words] to a baby.

And I myself And I myself brothers not was able to speak to you as to spiritual but as (to fleshly, *N(k)O*) as to infants in Christ.

2 I did not [teach] you [things that were difficult for you to understand, just like a woman does not] give [her baby] solid food [that the baby cannot chew and digest]. [And just like a woman] ([gives her baby milk/breast-feeds her baby]), [I taught you simple spiritual concepts], because at that time you were not able to understand difficult things. And you are still not able to understand difficult concepts,

Milk you I gave to drink, (and *k*) not solid food; not yet for were you able, In fact (not *N(k)O*) still now are you able;

3 because you are still controlled by your self-directed nature. Some of you are jealous and quarreling. (That shows that your self-directed nature is controlling you!/Does not that prove your self-directed nature is controlling you?) [RHQ] It shows that [you are acting like] unbelievers act.

still for fleshly you are. Where for [are] among you jealousy and strife (and dissensions *K*) surely fleshly are you and according to man are walking?

4 By some of you saying, “I am [loyal to] Paul,” and others saying, “I am [loyal to] Apollos,” (you show that [you are acting like] unbelievers./does not it show that [you are acting like] unbelievers?) [RHQ]

When for may say one; I myself indeed am of Paul, another however I myself of Apollos, (surely *N(k)O*) (human *N(K)O*) are you?

5 [So what you really ought to think about] Apollos and me [RHQ] is that we(dl) are merely men who serve God. As a result of our [telling you the message about Christ], you trusted in him. Both of us [(dl)] are merely doing the work that the Lord appointed us to do.

(who *N(k)O*) then is Apollos (who *N(k)O*) now (is *no*) Paul (other than *K*) Servants through whom you believed, also to each as the Lord has given.

6 I was [the first one who preached God’s message to you. I was like] [MET] someone who plants seeds. [Later], Apollos [taught you more of God’s message. That was like] [MET] someone who waters plants [after they start to grow]. But it is God who [enables people to grow spiritually, just like he is the one who] causes [plants] to grow.

I myself planted, Apollos watered, but God was [it] growing;

7 So [the person who first preaches God’s message to people is not important, and the person who later teaches people more of God’s message is not important, just like] [MET] it is not the person who plants [the seeds] or the person who waters [the plants] who is important. Instead, it is God, who causes plants to grow [and who causes people to grow spiritually, who is important].

So neither the [one] planting is anything nor the [one] watering, but [only] the [One] giving growth — God;

8 The person [who first preaches God’s message to people and the one who later teaches them more of God’s message] [MET] both (are [trying to reach the] same [goal]/have the same [purpose]). And [God] will reward each of them according to how they served him.

The [one] planting now also the [one] watering one are, each now [his] own reward will receive according to [his] own labor.

9 Remember that Apollos and I are both working together for God. [You do not belong to us]. Just like a field [belongs to its owner, not to those who work in it], you belong to God, [not to us who work for him]. 1 Corinthians 3:9b-15 Also, a house belongs to its owner. [It does not belong to the man who built it. Similarly, God is the one to whom you belong].

Of God for we are fellow workers; God’s field, God’s building you are.

10 [Just like] a skilled person puts a foundation in the ground [before he builds a house], as a result of God kindly helping me [MET], [I was the first one who declared the message about Christ to you. And, just like] others build a house on its foundation, there were [others who later taught you more about Christ]. But [just like each person who builds a house] must be careful about what materials he uses to build it [MET], each person [who teaches God’s truth must be careful about what he teaches].

According to the grace of God which having been given to me as a wise master builder [the] foundation (I laid, *N(k)O*) another however is building upon [it]. Each one however should take heed how he builds upon [it].

11 Just like people can put in [only] one foundation [for a house] [MET], [there is only one message that we can give to people. That message is about] Jesus Christ.

Foundation for another no [one] is able to lay besides the [one] being already laid, which is Jesus (*k*) Christ.

12 Furthermore, people can build a house on its foundation [with materials that are valuable and do not burn easily, such as] gold, silver, and expensive jewels. Or they could build a house with [materials that are not valuable and that burn easily, such as] wood, hay, and straw.

If now anyone builds upon foundation (this *k*) (gold, silver, *NK(o)*) stones precious, wood, hay, straw,

13 Later it will become clear/evident what kind of material they used to build the house. [Similarly, when people teach others God’s truth], it will later become clear [what kind of things they taught]. [God] will make that clear/evident at the time [when he judges us] [MTY].

of each the work manifest will become; the for day will disclose [it], because in fire it is revealed, and of each the work what sort it is the fire (itself *no*) will prove.

14 When a fire [starts burning a house], it becomes clear whether the builders used [materials in their] work [that will burn, or materials that will not burn]. Similarly [MET], when God judges us, it will be clear whether we taught others things that were long-lasting and valuable or not. If [the materials that are used to] build a house [are materials that] do not burn, the builder will receive a reward [MET]. [Similarly, if we have taught others things that are valuable and long-lasting, God will give us a reward].

If of anyone the work will remain which he built up, a reward he will receive;

15 If [the things that we have taught] are not valuable and long-lasting [MET], [we will not get a reward]. We will be saved {[God] will save us} [from hell], but [that is all that we will get. We will be like a man who] escapes from a fire [without saving any of his possessions]. (questioned)

If of anyone the work will be burned up, he will suffer loss, he himself however will be saved so however as through fire.

16 You need to remember that God [is present among] you [(pl) as he was present in the] Temple [in Jerusalem]. [RHQ] God’s Spirit lives within you.

Surely you know that temple of God you yourselves are, and the Spirit of God dwells in you

17 So, [just like] God will destroy anyone who tries to destroy his Temple, [he will destroy anyone who destroys the unity of a congregation. He will do that] because [he has set] you, [his people, apart for himself, just like he set] his Temple [apart for himself].

If anyone the temple of God destroys, will destroy him God; for the temple of God holy is, which are you yourselves.

18 Some among you think that you are wise because unbelievers thought you were wise previously. Stop deceiving yourselves. [If you really want to be wise, by accepting what God considers to be wise] you should [be willing to let unbelievers consider that you are] foolish [IRO]. (aiōn g165)

No one himself should deceive; if anyone thinks [himself] wise to be among you in age this, foolish he should become so that he may become wise. (aiōn g165)

19 You should do that because things that unbelievers [consider to be] [IRO] wise, God considers to be foolish. [We can learn from] the Scriptures [what God says about] that: Those who think that they are [IRO] wise, he messes up their plans by the mistakes they make!

The for wisdom of the world this foolishness with God is. It has been written for: [He is] the [One] catching the wise in the craftiness of them;

20 And [we can learn from] these words of Scripture, The Lord considers as useless the thoughts of [humans who think that they are] [IRO] wise.

And again; [The] Lord knows the thoughts of the wise that they are futile.

21 So, stop boasting about [how good one Christian leader is or how good another Christian leader is]. All [of us(exc) exist as leaders only to help] you!

Therefore no one should boast in men; All things for of you are,

22 Specifically, do not boast about me, or about Apollos, or about Peter! Everything in the world exists to [benefit] you [believers]. Whether you live or whether you die, the things that are happening now or the things that will happen in the future, they are all to benefit you.

whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or [the] world or life or death or things being present or things to come — all yours (is — *k*)

23 [You should boast about] Christ, [not about your leaders, because] you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

you now of Christ, Christ now of God.