Reading the Context of 1 Corinthians 3

[Erick_Ybarra]

I wanted to show those who were not recognizing in the previous threads on purgatory that 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 does not refer to the sufferings of purgatory, be it the love of purification or the real pain of suffering.

Let’s look at the context:

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Avoid Worldly Wisdom

18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; [a] 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”** 21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. 23 And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

4 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court.[a] In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

If you have not seen it already, Paul uses the same word for “day” in v 12-15 as in 4:5. The judgement of ministers which takes place on “the day” when the “Lord comes” (4:5). Whether it is a reward or a suffering of loss, both take place on “the day” which will “reveal” the secrets and counsels of the heart.

Therefore, it is not only silly, but it is willful ignorance to suggest this text refers to a purgatorial process prior to the final judgement. If anything this would be a purgatory after the final judgement when Christ comes.

The other text used by the CCC is 1 Peter 1:7 where Peter says that our faith, though tested by fire, will be to the praise and the glory of the grace of God. The context is referring to the “various trials” of v6. The faith is one that saves us, and this is what is being tested by fire at the present moment!

Therefore, again, no scriptural reference teaches or even hints the idea of a purgatorial process before the final judgement. Therefore if it is true, it is a teaching passed on, whether from Christ or not, that has been a tradition. This does not lose it’s truthfulness! It just shows that it is not in scripture.**

 

[Godfollower]

One of the things you’re misunderstanding here is the fact that God is outside both time and space. Nothing in Catholic theology suggests that Purgatory needs to take any time at all. Maybe it does; maybe it doesn’t. It certainly could be instantaneous. Purgatory is merely the concept that, of all the people going to Heaven, some of them will yet be impure (though, obviously, not so impure that they’re going to Hell instead). As Scripture teaches us, nothing impure can enter Heaven. Logically, therefore, we have to be made clean – purged – before entering Heaven. We call that event (or process or what have you) Purgatory.

Protestant theology teaches that we remain impure, but God declares us clean (the “snow-covered dungheap” analogy) and lets us into Heaven notwithstanding our impurity. Catholic theology teaches that we are actually made clean, because (A) God cannot lie; and (B) if Jesus declares us clean, then we are in fact made clean.

In other words, we’re purged of our sins before entering Heaven. That concept is entirely consistent with Scripture.

You are viewing these Scripture passages through the lens of your pre-existing belief about Purgatory, which is causing you to analyze it incorrectly. For instance:

• How long is this “Day” on which you rely? Is it an earthly day? Is it a metaphorical day (e.g., “the Day of the Lord”)? It is merely an event? Is it an age?
• Paul’s exhortation is to the disciples: Judge nothing before the time the Lord comes. That says nothing about God’s ability to judge.
• The passage concerning judgment is clear: some who build on the foundation of Christ will receive a reward. Others who build on the foundation will suffer loss but yet will be saved. Implied in this passage is that those who do not build on the foundation will neither receive a reward nor be saved; but, as for those who are saved, some will suffer loss and only be saved “as through fire.” That’s the purgatorial process, plainly described in Scripture.

Remember, Purgatory is not a “third destination.” We’re all going either to Heaven or to Hell. Purgatory is merely a waystation on the path to Heaven for those who are bound for Heaven but are not yet clean; and it only exists for the purpose of making us clean. That’s all that Catholic theology teaches. And these passages clearly support that theology.

 

[Erick_Ybarra]

I do not believe in a snow covering a piece of dung to be biblical at all.

Justification and the forgiveness of sin occur at the same time, while not being equated with, regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit. Therefore the inside is changed simultaneously with the declaration of one’s forgiveness of sin and acquittal from eternal judgement. I cannot stand when Catholics view the reformers teaching that the inside of man remains the same. Maybe Martin Luther taught this, but this is not anywhere near what I believe. Repentance is salvation and brings justification, not a mere acceptance of Jesus into the heart through prayer.

And “day” actually refers to the hope of every Christian, and it is a definite “time” which all will know:

“…so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:7-8).

Are we to throw into the word “day” here a atemporal indefinite time that cannot be waited for? Or that there is no timeliness to it?

 

[DavidFilmer]

The other thing you are missing is the idea that these Biblical texts can ALSO be applied to our earthly life. No Catholic insists that these texts apply ONLY to purgatory. The Church teaches that we can remit some (or all) of the experience of purgatory through things we do while on earth. This is the whole foundation for the Church’s teaching on indulgences.

So demonstrating that these texts apply to our earthly life does not make you case. You would need to demonstrate that they must ONLY apply in this earthly life.

And that, you cannot do, my friend.

 

[WoundedIcon]

One could also argue that the Day will declare it because before then it’s already been revealed through fire. The grammar of the text does not necessitate that the fire occur before, on, or after the Day of the Lord.

 

[po18guy]

A dichotomy: One who admittedly does not believe in sola scriptura is employing that discredited doctrine in an attempt to disprove the Apostolic teaching. Not going to happen.

 

[po18guy]

Erick, you seriously need a better bible translation. I must remind here that private interpretation of scripture is banned by scripture. The devil privately interpreted. Are we to follow his methods, or God’s?

1 Corinthians 3:13
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
13 Every man’s work shall be manifest; for the day of the Lord shall declare it, because it shall be revealed in fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work, of what sort it is.

Let us ponder the common meaning of “the day of the Lord” and apply that to this reading. As well, the doctrine of purgatory is not based on an isolated verse.

 

[R_C]

Therefore, again, no scriptural reference teaches or even hints the idea of a purgatorial process before the final judgement. Therefore if it is true, it is a teaching passed on, whether from Christ or not, that has been a tradition. This does not lose it’s truthfulness! It just shows that it is not in scripture.

Actually, though indeed it would not lose its truthfulness, it is also scriptural…just need to keep digging into the Depositum Fidei

(From the Catechism)
The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:607

As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.608

This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."609 From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.610 The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:

Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.611

606 Cf. Council of Florence (1439): DS 1304; Council of Trent (1563): DS 1820; (1547):1580; see also Benedict XII, Benedictus Deus (1336): DS 1000.
607 Cf. 1 Cor 3:15; 1 Pet 1:7.
608 St. Gregory the Great, Dial. 4,39: PL 77,396; cf. Mt 12:31.
609 2 Macc 12:46.
610 Cf. Council of Lyons II (1274): DS 856.
611 St. John Chrysostom, Hom. in 1 Cor. 41,5: PG 61,361; cf. Job 1:5.

There is no purgatory or purification after the Final Judgment: at that time, all purification will be over, and there will be souls in Heaven and souls in Hell. Both will be reunited with their physical - yet transformed - body, “they that have done good, to the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation”.

All reference to the “state of purgatory” necessarily refer to what takes place right after our individual death. The following scripture also can be considered a reference to the state of purgatory:

When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

This website includes quotes from the Sacred Scriptures and from the writings of the Early Church Fathers on purgatory

 

[Gorgias]

If you have not seen it already, Paul uses the same word for “day” in v 12-15 as in 4:5.

Actually, that’s not true. In 1 Cor 3:13, the word is ἡμέρα (‘day’), while in 1 Cor 4:5, it’s καιροῦ (or καιρος – ‘time’). Am I misunderstanding you?

The judgement of ministers which takes place on “the day” when the “Lord comes” (4:5).

No… the judgment will be brought to light upon the Lord’s return – in 4:5, he’s not saying that the judgment occurs on “the Day”! According to a Catholic interpretation, then, the particular judgment (which occurs at a person’s death) will be revealed at the general judgment (at the time that the Lord returns). Your quotation of Scripture does not refute this interpretation…

Whether it is a reward or a suffering of loss, both take place on “the day” which will “reveal” the secrets and counsels of the heart.

See? Your pre-determined interpretation causes you to conflate the judgment itself with the point in time at which the judgment becomes revealed…!

 

[franc1sc0]

Actually, though indeed it would not lose its truthfulness, it is also scriptural…just need to keep digging into the Depositum Fidei

There is no purgatory or purification after the Final Judgment: at that time, all purification will be over, and there will be souls in Heaven and souls in Hell. Both will be reunited with their physical - yet transformed - body, “they that have done good, to the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation”.

All reference to the “state of purgatory” necessarily refer to what takes place right after our individual death. The following scripture also can be considered a reference to the state of purgatory:

This website includes quotes from the Sacred Scriptures and from the writings of the Early Church Fathers on purgatory

If one cant see that there is a state after death we call purgatory when reading this link it is either because one doesnt want to. Or has really been indoctrinated against such a thing, that its impossible to see otherwise.

 

[Erick_Ybarra]

Actually, that’s not true. In 1 Cor 3:13, the word is ἡμέρα (‘day’), while in 1 Cor 4:5, it’s καιροῦ (or καιρος – ‘time’). Am I misunderstanding you?

No… the judgment will be brought to light upon the Lord’s return – in 4:5, he’s not saying that the judgment occurs on “the Day”! According to a Catholic interpretation, then, the particular judgment (which occurs at a person’s death) will be revealed at the general judgment (at the time that the Lord returns). Your quotation of Scripture does not refute this interpretation…

See? Your pre-determined interpretation causes you to conflate the judgment itself with the point in time at which the judgment becomes revealed…!

So you think it is a contextual impossibility to align the ‘‘day’’ in 1 Corinthians 3:12-17 with the lords coming in 4:5?

 

[TimothyH]

So you think it is a contextual impossibility to align the ‘‘day’’ in 1 Corinthians 3:12-17 with the lords coming in 4:5?

What about what Gorgias said in post #9?

Actually, that’s not true. In 1 Cor 3:13, the word is ἡμέρα (‘day’), while in 1 Cor 4:5, it’s καιροῦ (or καιρος – ‘time’). Am I misunderstanding you?

Verse 1 Cor 4:5 is actually “time” or “season”

Reference scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/NTpdf/1co4.pdf.

-Tim-

 

[William_C]

I wanted to show those who were not recognizing in the previous threads on purgatory that 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 does not refer to the sufferings of purgatory, be it the love of purification or the real pain of suffering.

Let’s look at the context:

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Avoid Worldly Wisdom

18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; [a] 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”** 21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. 23 And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

4 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court.[a] In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God**.

If you have not seen it already, Paul uses the same word for “day” in v 12-15 as in 4:5. The judgement of ministers which takes place on “the day” when the “Lord comes” (4:5). Whether it is a reward or a suffering of loss, both take place on “the day” which will “reveal” the secrets and counsels of the heart.

Therefore, it is not only silly, but it is willful ignorance to suggest this text refers to a purgatorial process prior to the final judgement. If anything this would be a purgatory after the final judgement when Christ comes.

The other text used by the CCC is 1 Peter 1:7 where Peter says that our faith, though tested by fire, will be to the praise and the glory of the grace of God. The context is referring to the “various trials” of v6. The faith is one that saves us, and this is what is being tested by fire at the present moment!

Therefore, again, no scriptural reference teaches or even hints the idea of a purgatorial process before the final judgement. Therefore if it is true, it is a teaching passed on, whether from Christ or not, that has been a tradition. This does not lose it’s truthfulness! It just shows that it is not in scripture.I agree. 1 Cor 3:12-15 isn’t about purgatory.

What we see is, true believers saved by God (the elect) can have no good works, and they are saved.

Kind of puts a damper on the idea of salvation by faith + works.

 

[JimG]

Just one extraneous thought about all this, concerning whether the doctrine comes from Scripture or Tradition.

Jesus did not hand the Apostles a book of Scripture on the day He rose into Heaven, saying “It’s all in here.” The Church produced the writings of Scripture. To that extent, Scripture itself is a part of Tradition. Christ handed down His teachings (Tradition) to the Church, which embodied part of them in scripture as the need arose.

 

[William_C]

Protestant theology teaches that we remain impure, but God declares us clean (the “snow-covered dungheap” analogy) and lets us into Heaven notwithstanding our impurity. Catholic theology teaches that we are actually made clean, because (A) God cannot lie; and (B) if Jesus declares us clean, then we are in fact made clean.

Then why do you continue to sin, and why do you require periodic visits to the confessional? That doesn’t like “clean.”

Godfollower:

You are viewing these Scripture passages through the lens of your pre-existing belief about Purgatory…

Hmmmm. There’s a lot I could say to that, but I’ll just stick with this:

 

[William_C]

Just one extraneous thought about all this, concerning whether the doctrine comes from Scripture or Tradition.

Jesus did not hand the Apostles a book of Scripture on the day He rose into Heaven, saying “It’s all in here.” The Church produced the writings of Scripture. To that extent, Scripture itself is a part of Tradition. Christ handed down His teachings (Tradition) to the Church, which embodied part of them in scripture as the need arose.

Is the content of Scripture and Tradition the same?

 

[Gorgias]

So you think it is a contextual impossibility to align the ‘‘day’’ in 1 Corinthians 3:12-17 with the lords coming in 4:5?

That’s not what I’m claiming in my response to you; rather, I’m noting that you’re aligning “judgment” with “the time that the judgment is revealed”, and that this isn’t a necessity in the way that you’re attempting to assert…

 

[JimG]

Is the content of Scripture and Tradition the same?

If “content” is taken to mean the words in the Scriptures, it could not be the same as Tradition. Yet the teaching is the same.

Looking at the last two sentences of the Gospel of John, one one have to conclude that not everything is contained in scripture. And yet the Church considers scripture to be materially, though not formally sufficient.

 

[William_C]

If “content” is taken to mean the words in the Scriptures, it could not be the same as Tradition. Yet the teaching is the same.

Looking at the last two sentences of the Gospel of John, one one have to conclude that not everything is contained in scripture. And yet the Church considers scripture to be materially, though not formally sufficient.

Which of the two is greater in terms of volume? Scripture, or Tradition?

 

[R_C]

What we see is, true believers saved by God (the elect) can have no good works, and they are saved.

That is not what we see, and above all that is not what Christ teaches.

So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Even though there are no works we could possibly do that would beyond what is our duty - we are called to be perfect as our heavenly Father and to love one another as the Son has loved us - those saved by the Lord will be known as such by their works:

by their works you shall know them

With regards to those who believed in Christ but had no good works:

he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.

Indeed we quote from the Scriptures and from Sacred Tradition, which are under the light of the Holy Spirit. Others, of course, may deny or reject parts of the Church’s Depositum Fidei, and that is their choice. Some even deny that the Lord is the Messiah, or that there is a Holy Spirit. Others go further and deny the Scriptures. It’s all the way downhill once you reject the authority of the teachers. Once they would single out heretic doctrines and the faithful would humbly listen, now that respect is gone. We see this all the time when we discuss with our brothers from a variety of Christian communities…

For the benefit of protestant brothers who may be interested in a better understanding of the teachings of the Church on purgatory, apologist James Akin wrote an in-depth article here.