Is 1 Corinthians 3:15 --->the works?

[roseyelephant]

Is 1 Corinthians 3:15 saying the works themselves will go through fire and be judged or the person? I’m trying to look at different arguments for/against purgatory and many argue that this verse, in context, is referring to the works, not the person themselves.

 

[Wingz]

That took me so long to understand…

Anyway, the entire passage 1 Corinthians 3:9-17 is a metaphor.

“You are… God’s building.” 1Corinthians 3:9.

Paul compares a person to a building, later he uses the word “temple.”

The foundation of that temple was laid by Jesus. After we have the foundation laid by Jesus we build with gold, hay, wood, stone or whatever else. I think the most confusing part was wondering how we could be the building while also be the ones building.

I think that what Paul meant was that we are the building and that our works are what make us up. The things we do, the ways we act, and the way we treat others, are what make us up. In the end these things will be judged.

" 13. their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work."

Here Paul speaks about how the light of day will bring the building to light but the fire will reveal it for what it truly is. It is through the light that you can see the temple but it is through the fire that you will see if it will truly stand.

Therefore we are the temple, the building, and it is our works that make us up and make us who we are and in the end the fire will either burn the building down or the building will stand.

If the building stands. The person will be rewarded for their works were good. -Heaven.

If the building burns down. It will fall but we can still be saved.

“15. the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.”

Our building will fall but the builder will be saved. The builder represents our spirit beyond our building.

The building represents our works in our life on Earth while the builder represents our spirit building and doing good works on Earth.

Therefore the building (works) will burn but the builder (spirit) will be saved. -purgatory

However there is still the final option given. In the other two cases the person built up their temple but it was ultimately up to the fire to see whether it was saved or destroyed.

“17. If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”

In the last one the person destroys their own temple defiles their works and is ultimately destroyed. - Hell.

 

[greenrangerx]

I think this is referring to those who teach. At the beginning of the passage, Paul talks about different teachers (by name, himself and Apollos, though others seem implied) building upon the foundation of Jesus Christ and that their building materials are of different qualities. This seems to be an example of the notion that teachers are to be judged to a higher standard than the rest of us (James 3:1).

 

[roseyelephant]

Hm, interesting! Thanks!

 

[roseyelephant]

Ahh, I see! So, are we able to be separated, in a sense, from our works? You mentioned purgatory…so if someone has faith but does no good works, they’d go to purgatory, not straight to Hell?

 

[Wingz]

Our “works” are the things we do, say, or think, purposefully. They are part of what makes us who we are.

If a person does good works, caring for the poor and giving to charity people might describe them as generous.

If a person does evil works, constantly gambling and taking from others, they might be described as greedy.

So if there is a person who is good, has faith, and at least tried to live a life of love but still did evil works. Purgatory would be the place where these evil traits would be purged out of them. It would purify the person’s soul by purging them of something like greed, or pride.

If a person is faithful but did not do good works then. I think they would probably go to purgatory as long as they tried to do good even if they fell into temptation every now and then.
If there is a person who says they have faith in God but goes out and lives an evil life without trying to show any care or love for others then I do not think they would go to purgatory.

“if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

• 1 Corinthians 13:2-3