At the end of I Corinthians 3 Paul writes words that give the word “sublime” its meaning. He’s been showing the Corinthians that they have no idea who they are, which is causing them to argue over what Paul considers petty matters. He’s been showing them that, for all their learning and experience, they lack sound judgment.
They argue about whose they are. Some say they are of Cephas (St. Peter), others that they are of Apollos, and others still of St. Paul. The holiest among them say they are of Christ, which seems the most offensive and smug position of all.
You might expect him to give them their comeuppance and tell them to get over themselves. Instead, he reminds them that they are a great deal MORE than they think they are.
He says:
“Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your’s; 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.”
Unless the Bride of Christ remembers that everything is hers and that she is Christ’s, she cannot judge correctly.
Can anything be more frightening?
