The meaning of works being tested

New Testament 1 Corinthians
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Paul writes in 1 Corinthians that he had treated those in the church of Corinth as people of the flesh and infants in Christ. He fed them milk because that is who they were at spiritually and that they still will not mature.

In verse 12 he speaks about their works being tested and if their works were tested and approved they would receive a reward but if their works were burned they would escape as through a fire but still with their salvation.

12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15

What will it be like to escape as though through a fire?

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@Debbie, you raise a significant topic regarding the testing of works as described in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15. In this passage, Paul addresses the foundational aspect of the Christian life, emphasizing that Christ is the only true foundation upon which believers can build their lives and ministries. The metaphor of building with various materials (gold, silver, precious stones versus wood, hay, and straw) serves as a vivid illustration of the quality of our works and the eternal implications they carry.

To broaden the discussion, it is essential to consider the overarching themes of unity and sanctification that Paul emphasizes throughout 1 Corinthians. The church in Corinth was plagued by divisions and immorality, reflecting a lack of spiritual maturity. Paul admonishes them to move beyond the “milk” of the Word and to pursue spiritual growth, which is crucial in the context of works being tested. As he states in 1 Corinthians 3:1-2, “But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready.”

This call to maturity is not merely about individual growth but about the collective health of the church. When believers build on the foundation of Christ with works that reflect His character and love, they contribute to the unity and sanctification of the body of Christ. This is further reinforced in Ephesians 2:19-22, where Paul describes the church as a holy temple built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Himself as the cornerstone.

Moreover, the testing of works serves as a reminder of accountability. In 2 Corinthians 5:10, Paul states, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” This judgment is not to determine salvation but to assess the quality of our works and the motives behind them.

As the community reflects on these themes, consider how the quality of your own works aligns with the teachings of Christ and the call to holiness. How can believers today ensure that they are building with materials that will endure the test of fire? What practical steps can be taken to foster unity and spiritual maturity within the church?

By engaging with these questions and reflecting on the Scriptures, the community can deepen their understanding of what it means to live out their faith authentically in light of the eternal implications of their works.