Paul the Wise Masterbuilder

“[10] According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. [11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 3:10-11

In the architectural landscape of the spiritual realm, the Apostle Paul stands distinctively as the “wise masterbuilder” for the body of Christ. The term invokes a sense of authority, skill, and responsibility, and rightfully so. Recognizing Paul's unique role as the Apostle of the Gentiles, given to him through the dispensation of God's grace, is imperative to grasp in order to find our instructions for the church today.

The Grace Given

At the heart of Paul's apostleship is the “grace of God which is given unto me” (1 Corinthians 3:10). It's not merely a divine favor but a special dispensation, the ushering in of a new gospel distinct from the gospel of the kingdom and a new creature distinct from Israel (1Ti 1:11, Gal 2:7-9, 2Ti 2:8, Gal 6:15, Eph 2:8-22, Eph 6:19).

As delineated in Ephesians 3:1-10, this grace concerns the mystery of Christ, hidden from ages past. Paul was called to preach among the Gentiles that through faith in the cross work of Christ, the gospel of grace, Jew and Gentiles alike could be a part of the same body of Christ and have eternal life freely without the works of the law. This purpose was distinct from that of the apostles before him who were a part of Israel’s covenantal and prophetic program with God. Romans 15:15-16 further underscores this unique role Paul played, describing his grace-filled function to offer the Gentiles as an acceptable offering to God, who were aliens to the covenants and promises of God. This isn’t building on top of Israel, but an entirely new building that Christ gave Paul the blueprints to —it is the preaching of Jesus Christ, but according to the revelation of the mystery where two entities (Jew and Gentile) are now one body in Christ (Rom 16:25-26, Eph 2:12-22).

The Role of the Masterbuilder

Paul's reference as a "wise masterbuilder" is more than a mere metaphor. A masterbuilder, in the ancient world, was the central figure overseeing construction, ensuring that everything was up to standard. Drawing a parallel, Paul, as the Apostle of the Gentiles, had the authority and responsibility to establish the church in its foundational teachings, given to him directly by the risen Christ. He wasn't just another worker in God's vast field but was uniquely chosen for a pivotal task (1Co 9:16-17, Gal 1:15).

Laying the Foundation of Christ

Paul's declaration, "I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon," (1 Corinthians 3:10) reflects the nature of his apostolic work. Through his preaching and teaching, God was constructing His house—the body of Christ. This wasn't a mere brick and mortar establishment but a living body, the "pillar and ground of the truth" (1Ti 3:15). Paul was given the blueprint for this construction through the revelations he received, encapsulated in his 13 epistles. All scripture is profitable for our growth, but if we want to find the instructions for the body of Christ, we have to read what God revealed to Paul (2Ti 3:16, 1Ti 1:11-16, Rom 15:20, 16:25-26).

The foundation of Jesus Christ is crucial, but so is the manner of building upon it. We are reminded in 1 Corinthians 3:10: “But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.” In order to build correctly, we need to study and believe God’s word which transforms our inner man. We need to rightly divide the word of truth, recognizing the differing instructions for the body and Israel, so that we build with proper doctrine (1Ti 4:16, 2Ti 2:15).

In Conclusion

Paul's distinctive apostleship paints a vivid portrait of God's manifold wisdom. As the “wise masterbuilder,” Paul was God’s instrument of choice in laying a foundation for believers—one that stands firm in Christ. As recipients of this grace, let us build upon this foundation with care, ensuring the edifice remains true to God’s design.