The natural man does not receive, and cannot know spiritual things. They are foolishness unto him (chapter 2:14). Now in chapter 3:1-4 we have two kinds of Christians—spiritual and carnal. The apostle speaks to the carnal as babes that have not developed properly. They are not the perfect or full-grown ones. They have not been exercised in the things of God. Their worldly minds have not fed on Christ, the wisdom of God and the power of God. Though truly belonging to the Lord, they have failed to discern what the Spirit of God would teach them. This is sad indeed; instead of feasting upon the love of God in Christ Jesus, the world and worldly things have engrossed their mind, so that they even look at spiritual things in a fleshly way. God had given them teachers, and instead of taking the truth from them (for there are no contradictions or opposing elements in the truth of God) it is only those who are carnal that would allow such thoughts; and the apostle, instead of unfolding the deep things of God, needs to begin with them as babes, feeding them on the elementary things of God, teaching them the necessity of being of one mind in the Lord. It was a grief to the apostle’s heart to hear that there were strifes among them. This we saw in 1:10-13, and here he tells such, that they “walk as men.”
There are some things mentioned further on, in which they were to be men (14:20). In malice they were to be babes, but in their minds they were to be men; and again (16:13), they were to be vigilant, to stand fast in the faith, to quit themselves like men, to be strong. That was necessary in going against an opposing world under the power of Satan, but in this first and third chapters, it is grievous to see how little progress they had made in divine things.
The mind of God must be one mind, and all the teaching must honor Christ and the Word of God; and it does not divide the children of God into classes, or schools of doctrine. What would the apostle say to see the church now so divided, and calling themselves by so many names, and systems of doctrine taught by them? Surely they are carnal and walk as men, who say and do such things.
Verse 5 begins to explain, though each teacher has his own line of teaching, yet they are all needed to make the whole truth, and they do not contradict one another. This is important now, as well as then. We need Paul and Peter, James, John and Jude, and look upon them, as God, through them, writing His messages and unfoldings of truth, putting it in divers ways to suit our human minds, and put it all together as one grand, whole, perfect unfolding of what God is doing and has done, in and through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Verses 6 and 7 bring that before us. Verse 8 gives each one his own place to fill.
Ephesians 4:7, 11-167But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (Ephesians 4:7)
11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:11‑16), show us that all true ministry comes from the ascended One, whatever kind of instrument He may use; and each of these servants shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. They were all fellow workmen of God, fitted by God for the work that He meant them to do, and it is really the same still.
We get further information most useful now, to explain to us something of the difference of what God does, and of what is committed to men as servants of the dwelling place of God. We already noticed in 1:2 the address of this book took in all profession, as well as what is real.
Verse 10, the apostle takes the place of a builder—an architect who was building a house for God, and he has laid the foundation, but others build upon it; and each one is to take care how, and what he builds upon this foundation. No other foundation can be laid, for it is Jesus Christ. Alas! we know that man is a failure in all that is entrusted to him, and in this also his failure is manifest.
Verse 12 shows us that both good and bad material can be built in. Gold, silver, precious stones are very different from wood, hay, stubble. How long would these last stand the fire of trial when under the eye of God? And the day of trial will come, and declare all the failure, and true work that has been done. Remark here again that it is building the house or temple of God, and though false material has been built into the profession of Christ on earth, yet what Christ builds (Matt. 16:1818And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18); 1 Peter 2:4, 54To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4‑5); Eph. 2:2222In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22)) shall not fail, and God still dwells in the house or temple of God “which ye are” (ver. 17). How very blessed for our souls this is! God the Holy Ghost dwells in us, and with us, as promised (John 14:16, 1716And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:16‑17)). We do not need to pray God to send His Spirit. He is here, and faith enjoys His presence and leading and teaching.
The apostle alludes to different builders—now, verse 14 shows a builder entering into the thoughts of His Master, the Great Architect, and builds according to His plan, and is rewarded accordingly.
Verse 15 pictures one who, though a truly saved man, does not apprehend the will of the Lord, and so builds up what is not in the Word of God, and his work will be burned up. God cannot reward His own children for disobedience to His Word. They suffer loss, not of their souls, but of His approval of their ways; so we need to watch and learn the Lord’s mind in what we are doing for Him. Is it what His Word told us to do? We know from chapter 5:4 that he will reward us for all that He can approve. The solemn question of verse 16 should surely make us careful about this. It reminds us of a much needed verse in 2 Timothy 2:1515Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15), for He dwells with us in His house on earth. “Ye are” this temple of God, and in 1 Corinthians 6:1919What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19), “Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost.” May all our hearts lay hold of this important fact.
Verse 17 shows us the corrupters of this temple, introducing into it things that destroy the truth in the minds of men. We could mention many nowadays, but just read Acts 20:2929For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. (Acts 20:29). Think of grievous wolves under the name of Christians, and it is nothing new now (2 Tim. 2:16-18; 116But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus; 18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. (2 Timothy 2:16‑18) Cor. 15:12). Some even then had fallen into damnable heresies (2 Pet. 2:11But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1)). But, bear in mind that this is different from Acts 20:3030Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:30), or Romans 16:17, 1817Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:17‑18), which speak of divisions among real children of God; sad indeed it is that we have it to say.
What are they to do? What advice will Paul give them? Just what he has said before—let us own our foolishness, throw away our own thoughts and fancied wisdom, and be like the babes that believe unquestioningly every word the Father says, and take the good of all things sent to us of God, not dividing them up, but uniting them together in one mind to follow Christ.
“All things are yours; whether Paul or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.”
How blessed all this is! It leads us to take all from our Father’s hand, using all for Him with thanksgiving. That which we cannot thank Him for, we surely could not use for Him. May these things give us exercise of soul to find out His mind for ourselves, to prove all things, and to hold fast that which is good.