1 Corinthians 3 & 4

Question 1

How does Paul describe the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 3?

Answer 1

As worldly and mere infants in Christ

This reflects their spiritual immaturity and inability to receive deeper teachings.

Question 2

What metaphor does Paul use to describe the spiritual nourishment he provided to the Corinthians?

Answer 2

Milk instead of solid food

This indicates that they were not yet ready for more profound teachings.

Question 3

What causes Paul to question the spiritual state of the Corinthians?

Answer 3

Jealousy and quarreling among them

These behaviors are indicative of their worldly nature.

Question 4

What does Paul say about those who claim to follow different leaders like Paul or Apollos?

Answer 4

They are acting like mere men

This highlights the divisions within the church.

Question 5

What roles do Paul and Apollos play according to Paul?

Answer 5

Servants through whom people came to believe

They each have distinct tasks assigned by the Lord.

Question 6

Who ultimately makes things grow in the church, according to Paul?

Answer 6

God

This emphasizes the divine role in spiritual growth.

Question 7

What is the purpose of the man who plants and the man who waters?

Answer 7

They have one purpose

Each will be rewarded according to his own labor.

Question 8

What foundation has been laid according to Paul?

Answer 8

Jesus Christ

This is the only foundation that can be laid for spiritual building.

Question 9

What materials can be used to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ?

Answer 9

Gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw

The choice of materials reflects the quality of one’s work.

Question 10

What will test the quality of each man’s work?

Answer 10

Fire on the Day of Judgment

This reveals the true value of one’s spiritual contributions.

Question 11

What happens to a person’s work if it is burned up?

Answer 11

He will suffer loss, but he will be saved

This illustrates the concept of salvation despite loss of rewards.

Question 12

What does Paul say about the Corinthians’ identity?

Answer 12

They are God’s temple

This signifies the sacredness and importance of the church community.

Question 13

What warning does Paul give regarding those who destroy God’s temple?

Answer 13

God will destroy him

This emphasizes the seriousness of harming the church.

Question 14

What should one do if they think they are wise by the standards of this age?

Answer 14

Become a ‘fool’ to become wise

This suggests that true wisdom often contradicts worldly wisdom.

Question 15

What does Paul say about the wisdom of this world?

Answer 15

It is foolishness in God’s sight

This highlights the contrast between human and divine wisdom.

Question 16

What is the implication of no more boasting about men?

Answer 16

All things are yours, and you are of Christ

This promotes unity within the church and the understanding of their collective identity in Christ.

Question 17

What divisions among the Christians at Corinth does Paul address?

Answer 17

They had subjected God to man’s approval and God has done the opposite of what was expected.

Question 18

What does Paul show about the character of God’s action in his apostles in chapters 3 and 4?

Answer 18

He outlines the correct evaluation of God’s messengers.

Question 19

How does Paul describe evangelists in chapter 3?

Answer 19

As servants, specifically using the term ‘diakonai’, which could mean waiters.

Question 20

What is the role of each evangelist according to Paul?

Answer 20

To carry out the service assigned to him.

Question 21

What does Paul say about the significance of individual evangelists?

Answer 21

Neither evangelist counts for anything in his own right.

Question 22

What does Paul warn will happen regarding each man’s work?

Answer 22

There will come a day of judgement when the quality of each man’s work will be tested.

Question 23

Who is Paul referring to when discussing the judgement of work?

Answer 23

He is talking exclusively about those who are saved.

Question 24

How does Paul compare the Christian community?

Answer 24

To a temple in which God is present.

Question 25

What term does Paul use to describe the sacredness of the Christian community?

Answer 25

He uses a word that refers to the most holy part of any temple.

Question 26

What does Paul indicate about the Corinthians' wisdom?

Answer 26

They were destroying the Church of God and had no cause for boasting unless about Christ.

Question 27

To whom do all the Corinthians, including their leaders, belong?

Answer 27

They all belong to Christ.

Question 28

What is the relationship between self-assertiveness and the Christian life, according to Paul?

Answer 28

Their self-assertiveness was not in keeping with the Christian life.

Question 29

What is the nature of God according to the text?

Answer 29

God is not a matter of talk but of power.

Question 30

Who is being sent to the Corinthians as a reminder of the way of life in Christ?

Answer 30

Timothy, my son whom I love.

Question 31

What does the author urge the Corinthians to do?

Answer 31

Imitate me.

Question 32

How does the author view his relationship with the Corinthians?

Answer 32

I became your father through the gospel.

Question 33

What metaphor does the author use to describe the apostles' current state?

Answer 33

We have become the scum of the earth.

Question 34

When we are cursed, how do we respond?

Answer 34

We bless.

Question 35

What is the condition of the apostles as described in the text?

Answer 35

We go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.

Question 36

How does the author describe the Corinthians in contrast to the apostles?

Answer 36

You are wise in Christ! You are strong!

Question 37

What does the author express a desire for regarding the Corinthians?

Answer 37

I wish that you really had become kings.

Question 38

What rhetorical question does the author ask about receiving gifts?

Answer 38

What do you have that you did not receive?

Question 39

What instruction does the author give regarding pride?

Answer 39

Do not take pride in one man over against another.

Question 40

What is required of those who have been given a trust?

Answer 40

They must prove faithful.

Question 41

What is the author's stance on judgment?

Answer 41

I do not even judge myself.

Question 42

What will the Lord bring to light?

Answer 42

What is hidden in darkness and the motives of men's hearts.

Question 43

What saying does the author reference to teach the Corinthians?

Answer 43

Do not go beyond what is written.

Question 44

What does the author care little about?

Answer 44

If I am judged by you or by any human court.

Question 45

What does the author express about his conscience?

Answer 45

My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent.

Question 46

What does Paul say about the apostles in 1 Corinthians 4?

Answer 46

They should be regarded as servants of Christ ## Footnote The term 'hyperetes' signifies a lowly kind of service.

Question 47

What does the term 'steward' denote in the context of 1 Corinthians 4?

Answer 47

A household administrator obligated to be trustworthy and answerable to the one who appointed him.

Question 48

By whose standards should the apostles be judged according to Paul?

Answer 48

Only God's standards of trustworthiness ## Footnote Paul addresses this in verse 3.

Question 49

What important point does Paul make in verse 4 regarding his self-awareness?

Answer 49

Lack of awareness of defects does not mean he is free from guilt; only God's judgment is valid.

Question 50

What is the defect of human judgments according to Paul?

Answer 50

They are based on actions and therefore defective.

Question 51

According to Paul, who can adequately praise the apostles?

Answer 51

Only God, since He set the task and provided the means to fulfill it.

Question 52

What misconception about leadership does Paul address in relation to Apollos?

Answer 52

The unscriptural folly of having a preference for any one of their human Christian leaders.

Question 53

What issue does the Corinthians' emphasis on their teachers reveal?

Answer 53

It shows a tendency to deify them, giving them the status of God.

Question 54

What scriptural principle does Paul teach regarding men and God?

Answer 54

The subordination of men to God.

Question 55

What does Paul identify as a manifestation of the sin of pride?

Answer 55

Partisanship in favor of specific spiritual leaders.

Question 56

What does the phrase 'not to go beyond what is written' in verse 6 likely mean?

Answer 56

They had gone beyond the bounds of scripture.

Question 57

What characteristic of the Corinthian church does Paul highlight?

Answer 57

They were infected with arrogance.

Question 58

Provide examples of verses that indicate the arrogance of the Corinthian church.

Answer 58

1:19; 3:19, 20 ## Footnote These passages illustrate the inflated sense of self-importance.

Question 59

What does Paul imply about the Corinthians' self-understanding?

Answer 59

It showed a lack of real self-understanding.

Question 60

True or False: Paul was criticizing Apollos' work in 1 Corinthians 4.

Answer 60

False.

Question 61

Fill in the blank: The word 'hyperetes' refers to a _______ kind of service.

Answer 61

very lowly

Question 62

What does Paul want for the Corinthians?

Answer 62

What is best for them ## Footnote Paul is seen as their spiritual parent, guiding them with concern.

Question 63

What judges men according to the text?

Answer 63

The Gospel ## Footnote The response to the Gospel determines judgment.

Question 64

Who are the Corinthians assessing and attaching themselves to?

Answer 64

The apostles ## Footnote This assessment reflects their understanding of spiritual authority.

Question 65

What ridicule might the Corinthians invite upon themselves?

Answer 65

Acting outside their prerogative ## Footnote This refers to their judgment and choices regarding apostles.

Question 66

How are the apostles perceived in the world's eyes?

Answer 66

Fools for Christ ## Footnote This contrasts with the worldly wisdom valued by the Corinthians.

Question 67

What imagery does Paul use to illustrate the apostles' suffering?

Answer 67

Gladiatorial contests and humiliation of prisoners of war ## Footnote This emphasizes the lowliness and contempt faced by the apostles.

Question 68

What does Paul accept as God's will?

Answer 68

Being the lowest of the low ## Footnote This reflects their status and suffering as part of their calling.

Question 69

What is contrasted with the experiences of the apostles?

Answer 69

The perceived superiority of the Corinthians ## Footnote Their wisdom and status differ from the humility of the apostles.

Question 70

What state does the text describe as dangerous for the Corinthians?

Answer 70

Complacency ## Footnote Feeling secure and wanting for nothing can lead to spiritual danger.

Question 71

What does the witness of Scripture call for?

Answer 71

Trust in God alone ## Footnote Human pride is limited by the truth of Scripture.

Question 72

Fill in the blank: The apostles felt the Corinthians were _____ than they thought.

Answer 72

not as wise ## Footnote This highlights the Corinthians' misunderstanding of true wisdom.

Question 73

What did the Corinthians feel about their worthiness?

Answer 73

Worthy of God's grace ## Footnote Their sense of specialness was not based on their merit.

Question 74

What did the Corinthians' state of mind resemble?

Answer 74

Stoic ideals ## Footnote This indicates a disconnect from true Christian values.

Question 75

True or False: The King [Jesus] reigns from the cross.

Answer 75

True ## Footnote This symbolizes the nature of Christ's kingship and sacrifice.

Question 76

What can erase insecurities related to craving approval?

Answer 76

A real sense of God's grace in their lives.

Question 77

Who may have many guides but only one spiritual father?

Answer 77

Believers.

Question 78

What is the relationship with a loving father characterized by?

Answer 78

It abides.

Question 79

Whose example does Paul encourage others to imitate?

Answer 79

Christ's example.

Question 80

What will Timothy do before Paul arrives?

Answer 80

Come to them.

Question 81

What does Paul intend to test upon his arrival?

Answer 81

Their arrogance.

Question 82

What distinguishes the power in preaching according to Paul?

Answer 82

The preaching of the cross.

Question 83

What are the two potential outcomes of Paul's visit?

Answer 83

Support or correction.

Question 84

Fill in the blank: Paul ends the chapter with the news that _______ will come to them.

Answer 84

Timothy

Question 85

True or False: Paul believes that eloquent language is enough for effective preaching.

Answer 85

False.