(1Co 3:17) “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” One can tell how far true Believers have come from the purity of the faith by the lack of deaths – destruction of the temples. At the height of its purity we had Ananias and Sapphira, yet today we hear of no one. This doesn’t mean it is not happening. Beware less you be the example of this truth.

(1Co 3:17) “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” We are so prone to hold forth our “right” do so as we please, make our own decisions. Truth: “If” you are saved, you gave no right to sin, but to keep self clean for your Holy Occupant.

(1 Co 3:16) “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”  The offering of the body of Jesus was of such magnitude that once we were able to enter the Holy of Holies through His blood (Heb 10:19), our very bodies became the temple upon earth instead of the physical temple! Praise His Name!

(1Co 3:15) “If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”  When I read “as by fire”, I cannot help but think “as one saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit”: (Mat_3:11) “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”

(1Co 3:15) “If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”  But, regardless, he shall be saved. The judgment is not for salvation, but for reward. Wonder of wonders! The Lord in grace (unmerited) saves the sinners and then rewards him for using the very gifts He gave (1 Cor. 12:11).

(1Co 3:14) “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.” Normally, when believers think of a reward some day from God, they think of crowns (2 Tim 4:8). Yet, we know from Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 that they rewards can be varied and unique.

(1Co 3:13) “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” The text is specifically speaking of the works of the saved.  How can one be reasonably sure their actions are “gold, silver, and precious stones”? Answer: when self is lost to others, to the Lord’s glorification, and one’s actions do not go against God’s revealed truth – the Bible.

(1Co 3:13) “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” The difference between the judgment of the saved and the unsaved is its purpose. The unsaved will not humbly submit to apply the judgment of their sins placed upon the Lord Jesus. To do so would mean to give their life henceforth to Jesus. They choose not to give up their will to His. They choose hell over heaven, so their life will be judged for punishment.

(1Co 3:13) “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”  At that day we will see the reality of the saying, “Not all that glitters is gold”. “Revealed by fire”: John Baptist said, (Matt 3:11b) “… he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” 

(1Co 3:12) “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;”    As you can see, not all that is done in the Name of the Lord has eternal value. A good work can be done for the wrong reason; and it is possible to lose sight of the main purpose for doing. The glorification of the Lord Jesus and the spiritual good of those around us  must be paramount.