1 Corinthians 3:14 Cross References - AUV

¹⁴ If the work of anyone lasts [i.e., if his converts are judged faithful], he will receive a reward [i.e., his converts will constitute part of his reward].

⁴⁵ “Who then, is the trustworthy and sensible slave, to whom his master has assigned the management of his household to provide timely meals for its members? ⁴⁶ That slave will be happy when his master returns to find him doing his job [well]. ⁴⁷ Truly I tell you, he will put that slave in charge of his entire estate.

²¹ His master replied, ‘Well done, you are a good and trustworthy servant. You have been trustworthy over a [relatively] few things, so I will place you over many things. Come and share in your master’s joy.’ ²² And the one who was given two talents came and reported, ‘Master, you entrusted me with two talents. Look, I have earned two more with them.’ ²³ His master said to him, ‘Well done, you are a good and trustworthy servant. You have been trustworthy over a [relatively] few things, [so] I will place you over many things. Come and share in your master’s joy.’

⁸ Now the person who plants and the person who waters have the same [purpose], and each one will receive his own wages, according to the work each one does.

⁵ So, do not judge anything until the appointed time, when the Lord returns [i.e., to do the judging]. He will both shed light on the hidden things done in the dark and make known the motives of people’s hearts. Then each person [i.e., who deserves it] will receive praise from God.

¹⁹ For what is [the basis of] our hope, or joy, or crown of honor in the presence of the Lord Jesus when He comes back? [Note: By “crown” Paul alludes to the laurel wreath awarded to the victor in an athletic contest]. Will it not be you people?

⁷ I have fought the good battle; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith [i.e., I have been true to my commitment].

¹ So, the elders in the various places where you live, are to receive the following exhortation. (I too, am an elder and have witnessed the sufferings of Christ, and am also assured of partaking of the glorious [salvation, 1:5] that will someday be revealed).

⁴ And when the Supreme Shepherd [i.e., Jesus] comes back, you will receive [for your effort] a glorious crown [of reward] that will never fade away [Note: The idea of “fading away” is suggested by the laurel wreath bestowed on the winner of an athletic contest].

⁸ “And write [this] to the angel of the church at Smyrna: These things are the words of the First and the Last [i.e., Jesus], who was dead, but has come [back] to life: ⁹ I know [about] your suffering and your poverty (but you are [really] rich), and the slander of those who say they are Jews, though they [really] are not, but are a synagogue of Satan [i.e., they claimed to be an assembly of God’s people, but in reality were serving Satan]. ¹⁰ Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. [For] look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you may be tested, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. [But], you should be faithful [to God] even to the point of dying [for Him], and I will give you the crown of [never ending] life. ¹¹ “The person who has an ear should listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the churches. The person who has victory [in the Christian life] will not be harmed at all by the second death [i.e., the lake of fire. See 21:8].