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where the disciples stood when Christ said to them； 〃I have yet many things
to say unto you； but ye cannot bear them now。〃 John 16：12。 Jealousy； evil
surmising； and accusation had closed the hearts of many of the Corinthian
believers against the full working of the Holy Spirit； which 〃searcheth all
things； yea； the deep things of God。〃 1 Corinthians 2：10。 However wise they
might be in worldly knowledge； they were but babes in the knowledge of
Christ。
It had been Paul's work to instruct the Corinthian converts in the
rudiments； the very alphabet； of the Christian faith。 He had been obliged to
instruct them as those who were ignorant of the operations of divine power
upon the heart。 At that time they were unable to comprehend the mysteries of
salvation； for 〃the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of
God： for they are foolishness unto him： neither can he know them； because
they
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are spiritually discerned。〃 Verse 14。 Paul had endeavored to sow the seed；
which others must water。 Those who followed him must carry forward the work
from the point where he had left it； giving spiritual light and knowledge in
due season； as the church was able to bear it。
When the apostle took up his work in Corinth； he realized that he must
introduce most carefully the great truths he wished to teach。 He knew that
among his hearers would be proud believers in human theories； and exponents
of false systems of worship； who were groping with blinds eyes； hoping to
find in the book of nature theories that would contradict the reality of the
spiritual and immortal life as revealed in the Scriptures。 He also knew that
critics would endeavor to controvert the Christian interpretation of the
revealed word； and that skeptics would treat the gospel of Christ with
scoffing and derision。
As he endeavored to lead souls to the foot of the cross； Paul did not
venture to rebuke； directly； those who were licentious； or to show how
heinous was their sin in the sight of a holy God。 Rather he set before them
the true object of life and tried to impress upon their minds the lessons of
the divine Teacher； which； if received； would lift them from worldliness and
sin to purity and righteousness。 He dwelt especially upon practical
godliness and the holiness to which those must attain who shall be accounted
worthy of a place in God's kingdom。 He longed to see the light of the gospel
of Christ piercing the darkness of their minds； that they might see how
offensive in the sight of God were their immoral practices。 Therefore the
burden of his teaching among them was Christ and Him crucified。 He
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sought to show them that their most earnest study and their greatest joy
must be the wonderful truth of salvation through repentance toward God and
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ。
The philosopher turns aside from the light of salvation； because it puts his
proud theories to shame； the worldling refuses to receive it； because it
would separate him from his earthly idols。 Paul saw that the character of
Christ must be understood before men could love Him or view the cross with
the eye of faith。 Here must begin that study which shall be the science and
the song of the redeemed through all eternity。 In the light of the cross
alone can the true value of the human soul be estimated。
The refining influence of the grace of God changes the natural disposition
of man。 Heaven would not be desirable to the carnal…minded； their natural；
unsanctified hearts would feel no attraction toward that pure and holy
place； and if it were possible for them to enter； they would find there
nothing congenial。 The propensities that control the natural heart must be
subdued by the grace of Christ before fallen man is fitted to enter heaven
and enjoy the society of the pure； holy angels。 When man dies to sin and is
quickened to new life in Christ； divine love fills his heart； his
understanding is sanctified； he drinks from an inexhaustible fountain of joy
and knowledge； and the light of an eternal day shines upon his path； for
with him continually is the Light of life。
Paul had sought to impress upon the minds of his Corinthian brethren the
fact that he and the ministers associated with him were but men commissioned
by God to teach the
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truth； that they were all engaged in the same work； and that they were alike
dependent upon God for success in their labors。 The discussion that had
arisen in the church regarding the relative merits of different ministers
was not in the order of God； but was the result of cherishing the attributes
of the natural heart。 〃While one saith； I am of Paul； and another； I am of
Apollos； are ye not carnal？ Who then is Paul； and who is Apollos； but
ministers by whom ye believed； even as the Lord gave to every man？ I have
planted； Apollos watered； but God gave the increase。 So then neither is he
that planteth anything； neither he that watereth； but God that giveth the
increase。〃 1 Corinthians 3：4…7。
It was Paul who had first preached the gospel in Corinth； and who had
organized the church there。 This was the work that the Lord had assigned
him。 Later； by God's direction； other workers were brought in； to stand in
their lot and place。 The seed sown must be watered； and this Apollos was to
do。 He followed Paul in his work； to give further instruction； and to help
the seed sown to develop。 He won his way to the hearts of the people； but it
was God who gave the increase。 It is not human； but divine power； that works
transformation of character。 Those who plant and those who water do not
cause the growth of the seed； they work under God； as His appointed
agencies； co…operating with Him in His work。 To the Master Worker belongs
the honor and glory that comes with success。
God's servants do not all possess the same gifts； but they are all His
workmen。 Each is to learn of the Great Teacher；
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and is then to communicate what he has learned。 God has given to each of His
messengers an individual work。 There is a diversity of gifts； but all the
workers are to blend in harmony； controlled by the sanctifying influence of
the Holy Spirit。 As they make known the gospel of salvation； many will be
convicted and converted by the power of God。 The human instrumentality is
hid with Christ in God； and Christ appears as the chiefest among ten
thousand； the One altogether lovely。
〃Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one： and every man shall
receive his own reward according to his own labor。 For we are laborers
together with God： ye are God's husbandry； ye are God's building。〃 Verses 8；
9。 In this scripture the apostle compares the church to a cultivated field；
in which the husbandmen labor； caring for the vines of the Lord's planting；
and also to a building； which is to grow into a holy temple for the Lord。
God is the Master Worker； and He has appointed to each man his work。 All are
to labor under His supervision； letting Him work for and through His
workmen。 He gives them tact and skill； and if they heed His instruction；
crowns their efforts with success。
God's servants are to work together； blending in kindly； courteous order；
〃in honor preferring one another。〃 Romans 12：10。 There is to be no unkind
criticism； no pulling to pieces of another's work； and there are to be no
separate parties。 Every man to whom the Lord has entrusted a message has his
specific work。 Each one has an individuality of his own； which he is not to
sink in that of any other man。 Yet each
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is to work in harmony with his brethren。 In their service God's workers are
to be essentially one。 No one is to set himself up as a criterion； speaking
disrespectfully of his fellow workers or treating them as inferior。 Under
God each is to do his appointed work； respected； loved； and encouraged by
the other laborers。 Together they are to carry the work forward to
completion。
These principles are dwelt upon at length in Paul's first letter to the
Corinthian church。 The apostle refers to 〃the ministers of Christ〃 as
〃stewards of the mysteries of God；〃 and of their work he declares： 〃It is
required in stewards； that a man be found faithful。 But with me it is a very
small thing that I should be judged of you； or of man's judgment： yea； I
judge not mine own self。 For I know nothing by myself； yet I am not hereby
justified： but He that judgeth me is the Lord。 Therefore judge nothing
before the time； until the Lord come； who both will bring to light the
hidden things of darkness； and will make manifest the counsels of the
hearts： and then shall every man have praise of God。〃
1 Corinthians 4：1…5。
It is not given to any human being to judge between the different servants
of God。 The Lord alone is the judge of man's work； and He will give to each
his just reward。
The apostle； continuing； referred directly to the comparisons that had been
made between his labors and those of Apollos： 〃These things； brethren； I
have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes； that
ye might learn in us not to think of men ab