Paul’s indicts the Corinthian Christians with being merely human (1 Corinthians 3:3,4). If their current fleshly activity deserved this epithet, then what was Paul calling them to? Paul goes on to describe how God viewed this community of believers: as His garden (3:9a), His building (3:9b) and His temple (3:16,17). But where are these analogies borrowed from?
God’s garden (Genesis 1-3)
As we consider this imagery, we are reminded of the first garden God planted in Eden. It was to be the “holy of holies” to the whole of His creation. All the best things about a garden would be in it – trickling streams, precious stones, animals even cherubim! Bona fide angelic creatures! (That’s assuming they were there from the start and took on a particular role after the Fall.) And over it all was God’s masterpiece – a male and a female “united into one” (Genesis 2:24 NLT), made in the image of God (1:27)! It was in this idyllic setting that God would be present with His creatures of the highest order – humankind.
God’s building (Genesis 6-8)
The first building God commissioned was a boat – Noah’s ark. Within this boat two of every kind of animal found safety through the flood. Noah built it according to the pattern God provided, many features of which would appear again in Solomon’s temple. For example, it had three storeys, and was 30 cubits in overall height (Genesis 6:15,16 and 1 Kings 6:2-6). Furthermore, just as the creation of the world took place in seven days, so multiple sevens dominate the flood narrative (notably Genesis 7:2-4).
God’s temple (1 Kings 6-8)
The exodus from Egypt reaches its goal in Solomon’s temple. The tabernacle had clearly been an interim dwelling-place for God as, on the occasion of the construction of the temple, the writer of the books of Kings references 480 years from the exodus (1 Kings 6:1). The temple is adorned with features of the previous masterpieces from God. It is covered with a layer of gold that draws attention to the various vegetations that characterized Eden (6:29-35) and the bulls and lions on the bronze water carts evoke memories of the animals of both Eden and the ark (7:25,29). Cherubim feature prominently, too. It was seven years in building (6:37,38) and dedicated in the seventh month (8:2) at the seventh feast, the feast of tabernacles (2 Chronicles 5:3).
As well as the links already identified, each of these three structures featured a significant door. After the Fall, the garden gate was manned by cherubim and a flaming sword (Genesis 3:24). The ark’s door was closed by the hand of God (Genesis 7:16). The entrance to the temple was dominated by the imposing pillars of Boaz and Jachin (1 Kings 7:21). Furthermore, over each entity, God placed His representative to have dominion and mediate His presence. Adam was over creation, Noah over the ark and the post-flood “re-creation” and Solomon over the kingdom of Israel.
To leap forward and borrow the terminology from 1 Corinthians 3, sadly, each one of these representatives, each “image-bearer”, proved to be merely human. But we live in a very different era, since the death and resurrection of Christ, and Paul isn’t willing to let either the Corinthian church, or local churches today, off the hook. As he contrasts the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of God, he shows us that what we have is based upon Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1-3). He is the true Image-bearer, through whom each garden, building and temple displays the transforming glory of God to a world that despises it. Rather than overawe the wise of this world in a blaze of transcendent glory, God has seen fit to transform mere humans into His image-bearers via local churches that are at the same time little gardens, and little buildings, and little temples.
So – are you satisfied to be merely human? Or will you endeavour to faithfully bear God’s image as you enjoy the presence of God in the garden you are helping to tend and keep (1 Corinthians 3:9)? Will your community of believers be a place of growth and fruitfulness this year? Will your building’s materials survive the fire (vv.13-15)? Will your personal service beautify the building (v.12)? What about the temple you bear witness to God in (v.16)? Will your worship bear witness to His character, causing those who observe to recognize the presence of God among you (1 Corinthians 14:23-25)?
