What does the Bible mean, when it says He himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. ?

[JohnB445]

From the KJV
1 Corinthians 3:
5 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

1 Corinthians 5:
5 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

 

[Jesus is my Superhero]

Once a person has been imbued with the Holy Spirit, they are a temple of God. If the person rejects being led by the Spirit and instead continues to be led by his flesh, that is, his sinful nature, what that person is building upon is sin and not a foundation of Jesus, who is Spirit. That whole structure is bound for the flames of eternal damnation. Very little of the person's spiritual life will exist due to nothing having been built upon the foundation of the temple of God residing within.

 

[Aussie Pete]

From the KJV
1 Corinthians 3:
5 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

1 Corinthians 5:
5 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

There are two aspects to salvation. The first is that we be born again. Without that experience, we remain dead in trespass and sin. Then we need to be delivered from the habits and memories of the old nature that we received from Adam. This is a lifetime work. We need to be set free from sins and hindrances (Hebrews 12:1), the self life (Luke 9:24) and we need our minds renewed (Romans 12:2)

Some Christians are unwilling to let go of sins, such as bitterness, resentments, hatred and wrong relationships. 1 Corinthians 6:9 tells us what will disqualify us from the Kingdom of God. So God will deal with the man's flesh so that his born again spirit will cease to be oppressed by his self will. Such a person's spirit will go to God, but he will not experience the rewards of the kingdom. In the case of the Corinthian sinner, he repented and was restored. God does this out of love. As Lord Jesus said, the kingdom of God should be our number one priority. If we have to give up something for the sake of the Kingdom, God will reward us with something much better. (Matthew 6:33)

 

[Dave L]

From the KJV
1 Corinthians 3:
5 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

1 Corinthians 5:
5 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Saved people have Christ's imputed righteousness that never fails. But their own works often do. When tested, all of their works can be seen as worthless, but they are still saved because of Christ's imputed righteousness. Those who have good works, based on love for God will endure when tested and will receive rewards now and in heaven.

 

[Jamdoc]

From the KJV
1 Corinthians 3:
5 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

1 Corinthians 5:
5 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Once a person has been imbued with the Holy Spirit, they are a temple of God. If the person rejects being led by the Spirit and instead continues to be led by his flesh, that is, his sinful nature, what that person is building upon is sin and not a foundation of Jesus, who is Spirit. That whole structure is bound for the flames of eternal damnation. Very little of the person's spiritual life will exist due to nothing having been built upon the foundation of the temple of God residing within.

There are two aspects to salvation. The first is that we be born again. Without that experience, we remain dead in trespass and sin. Then we need to be delivered from the habits and memories of the old nature that we received from Adam. This is a lifetime work. We need to be set free from sins and hindrances (Hebrews 12:1), the self life (Luke 9:24) and we need our minds renewed (Romans 12:2)

Some Christians are unwilling to let go of sins, such as bitterness, resentments, hatred and wrong relationships. 1 Corinthians 6:9 tells us what will disqualify us from the Kingdom of God. So God will deal with the man's flesh so that his born again spirit will cease to be oppressed by his self will. Such a person's spirit will go to God, but he will not experience the rewards of the kingdom. In the case of the Corinthian sinner, he repented and was restored. God does this out of love. As Lord Jesus said, the kingdom of God should be our number one priority. If we have to give up something for the sake of the Kingdom, God will reward us with something much better. (Matthew 6:33)

It is very important to note that Paul says that the person is saved, they have their life, they just have nothing else. This is not a heaven or hell judgement.

The doctrine of Justification by Faith is not based on your works but rather the finished work of Jesus Christ. It is by grace, and these 2 passages from 1 Corinthians actually both illustrate that.

In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul is talking about earning rewards, and there are more rewards than just eternal life, because as we can see, it is possible to get eternal life, but nothing else. Escaping destruction, as if escaping from a house on fire with nothing but the clothes on your back. That's the image Paul gives.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

In both cases both of these men get eternal life. In the first case it's a man who's justified by Faith and he has evangelized, he's made disciples, he's done good works, he's been a good ambassador of Christ, edifying, teaching, preaching, spreading the gospel. He's building on the foundation that Jesus saved him from his sins. None of that work gets him into eternal life, that's all the work of Christ that does that, but this man's work FOR Christ, is not ignored, it's rewarded. Paul gives examples of crowns (that is symbols of authority) and Jesus Himself gives the example of ruling over cities as a reward.
In the second case.. this man is still justified by faith, but he hasn't put it to good use, nothing that he has done has been working for the kingdom.
all his works are shown to be worthless for the kingdom, but his sins are still forgiven so he still has his life. He's just not going to have any authority, hey, someone has to be ruled on the new earth right?

In the second case, you have a brother, that is someone who believes on Jesus Christ, but they've backslidden into sin, really bad sin, sin that requires Church discipline throwing him out of the church and not fellowshipping with him anymore.
In fact they're letting Satan have his way, maybe even killing the man, because in death, he won't sin anymore.
But Paul is offering, that if he was really a believer and just not showing it because of his backslide, his spirit would still be saved.

Think about the story of Lot. Lot was as backslidden as you could imagine, pitching his tent towards Sodom, and he had some authority in that city, he knew what kind of people he was associating with, and he still did it anyway, even offering up his daughters to be raped by all the men of the city.
No way is this guy behaving like Christ right, couldn't be saved right? He should have gotten nuked by God like all the other exceedingly sinful people in that city.

But he was saved from the destruction of that city and used as an example for us for good reason, that it's forgiven sinners that are saved, not the self righteous.

So, in conclusion, neither passage in 1st Corinthians is about backsliding Christians going to hell, but rather, about backslidden Christians being chastised (even to physical death) for their sin, and losing out on the rewards that Jesus wanted to give them on top of eternal life, but because they didn't work for the kingdom they forfeit their reward and will have to just settle for eternal life.

I know that sounds crazy because everyone kind of sees eternal life and resurrection as the rewards themselves... but there's more to it than that. Eternal life and resurrection are gifts, they're really the lowest common denominator when it comes to heaven. They are the bare bones minimum.
and that's what 1 Corinthians 3 teaches.

 

[timf]

Since the context is work done building on the foundation of Christ, most take this to be a description of rewards to be given to those who have built well. The fire element is a sort of purge of that which was not built well.

What is burned up is that which was not correct. You can have well intentioned Christians who mistakenly teach or advocate that which is even contrary to sound doctrine. They still have their salvation, but they rewards they may have mistakenly expected will be lost.

 

[ripple the car]

From the KJV
1 Corinthians 3:
5 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

1 Corinthians 5:
5 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Maybe Purgatory?

 

[Jamdoc]

Maybe Purgatory?

Nope.
Note the language.
Paul is painting a picture of a house burning down, and everything in it being burnt up... but the builder of the house escapes with his life. Again, picture Lot escaping with his life from Sodom. He loses almost everything else, but his life is saved.
there is no purgatory. You do not purify yourself by any means.
Jesus bore the punishment for your sins, His crucifixion is as close to a purgatory as it gets for anyone that is in Christ.
Purgatory is a doctrine from those who do not believe that Jesus Christ is sufficient for their atonement. It is a doctrine that should be repented of.

 

[aiki]

"Yet so as by fire" might be translated: By the skin of their teeth. Or: With the smoke of hell in their clothes. The idea in the phrase "so as by fire" is that of a narrow escape, like leaping through flames and out a window to escape a burning building.

Paul's words are particularly to teachers of God's truth. Talking of himself and Apollos, Paul earlier in 1 Corinthians 3 says that he and Apollos both, as spiritual teachers of the Corinthians, were "planters" of God's "field" (the Corinthian Christians), and then he abruptly resorts to a different analogy: that of the Corinthians being God's "building." From this description tumbles out all that follows about spiritual "builders" (like Apollos and Paul) building upon the "foundation" of Christ, and the work of these builders being "tested by fire," and that work being burned up if it isn't built upon Christ. In conclusion, Paul explains that having one's "building materials" burnt up does not mean one loses one's salvation, only that one will not gain any reward from the work of "building" with "flammable materials," and will arrive in heaven "so as by fire" (which is to say, one has only just made it in).

 

[longwait]

From the KJV
1 Corinthians 3:
5 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

1 Corinthians 5:
5 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

I guess it means one will only be saved by the skin of one's teeth.

 

[Dave L]

Believers have Christ's perfect imputed righteousness. This is the righteousness that saves them. But they also have their own works that cannot save. But they can lead to a better life now and later in heaven. But if their works fail the test of fire (trial), they are still saved because of Christ's imputed righteousness but don't receive any of the merits their own works would bring if found acceptable.

 

[Danthemailman]

"Yet so as by fire" might be translated: By the skin of their teeth. Or: With the smoke of hell in their clothes. The idea in the phrase "so as by fire" is that of a narrow escape, like leaping through flames and out a window to escape a burning building.

Paul's words are particularly to teachers of God's truth. Talking of himself and Apollos, Paul earlier in 1 Corinthians 3 says that he and Apollos both, as spiritual teachers of the Corinthians, were "planters" of God's "field" (the Corinthian Christians), and then he abruptly resorts to a different analogy: that of the Corinthians being God's "building." From this description tumbles out all that follows about spiritual "builders" (like Apollos and Paul) building upon the "foundation" of Christ, and the work of these builders being "tested by fire," and that work being burned up if it isn't built upon Christ. In conclusion, Paul explains that having one's "building materials" burnt up does not mean one loses one's salvation, only that one will not gain any reward from the work of "building" with "flammable materials," and will arrive in heaven "so as by fire" (which is to say, one has only just made it in).

Well said. Other translations read..yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. (NIV) ..yet he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has barely escaped] through fire. (AMP) ..though he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has passed] through fire. (AMPC) ..but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire. (HCSB)

 

[FutureAndAHope]

This scripture has two parts, the first one says that if we do deeds that don't have the right motivation, i.e. it may be giving to the poor just to look good, we will receive no reward in heaven for it, but we will still be saved, due to God's grace.

From the KJV
1 Corinthians 3:
5 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

The second part is taking about a process God uses to correct believers if they become involved in gross sin. He hands them over to satan, distress, and forms of emotional harm, so they repent and return to God.

5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Job 36:8-12 And if they have been prisoned in chains, and taken in cords of trouble, Then he makes clear to them what they have done, even their evil works in which they have taken pride. Their ear is open to his teaching, and he gives them orders so that their hearts may be turned from evil. If they give ear to his voice, and do his word, then he gives them long life, and years full of pleasure. But if not, they come to their end, and give up their breath without knowledge.

 

[EmethAlethia]

1 Corinthians 3:
5 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

What's the context and the flow of thought here in this passage?

1Co 3:11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

The context is, before you can even worry about rewards in heaven you must have the correct foundation. There is only one. Christ. Miss that and nothing after that applies.'

Next: If we are Christians we do, or do not do, certain things in our lives. If we focused on figuring out the will of God and did it, we built with the good stuff that lasts for all eternity... i.e. storing up treasures in heaven. Everything "else" is wood, hay and stubble. No rewards for any of that. That's the stuff that is gone forever ... as in a fire, gone, toast ... nothing left for all eternity. If all you have was wasted time, your entire life will be a "waste" as nothing will have been done for the Lord. It's only those things God says He values that should have value to us as the rest is gone ... this is only about rewards for true Christians.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. What do you bring into that temple? What are you doing with it? What are you building on your foundation? You are the temple of God, what are you doing with it?







1 Corinthians 5:
5 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Different topic from the first one. This is not about rewards in heaven, although a part of it does apply. This is about God judging when we refuse to judge ourselves and correct our own path.

We have non-repentant sin in the church that everyone knows about and no one is doing anything about. Paul is delivering this non-repentant person over to Satan so that he will be physically killed although he will still be in heaven. This would be an example of a sin unto death, i.e. a true Christian practicing sin of such a severity that even the Gentiles cringe and not repenting. This is explained more in chapter 11.

1Co 11:27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. 30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

If we are true Christians, it is our responsibility to figure out what God does and doesn't say and live in accordance with it. WE are to do everything in our power to figure out and DO as He commands. If we do not do everything in our power to figure out and do as He commands out of love, because we have been forgiven so great a debt, then God our Father jumps in and judges us now. We get our consequences NOW. Why? Because God must judge sin, and if He doesn't judge us now for our sins, He must judge us later with the rest of the world... and that judgment sends people to hell.

God's judgments of Christians on this earth come in 3 forms, weakness, sickness and physical death but still being saved... i.e. destruction of the flesh but the soul is saved at the coming of Christ Jesus. The key to this is our own efforts to figure out and live in accordance with His will. If we don't do that as a habit and way of life, then He steps in and reproves us Himself, NOW.

Heb 12:3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; 5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; 6 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES." 7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? (1Co. 11 And many sleep)10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. 12 Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, (Weakness as in the 1Co. 11 passage) 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. (Healing of sickness/weakness)

This ties in with other passages on being sick, forgiveness of sins, and yes, not praying for those sinning unto death/ sleep.

1Jn 5:16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death.

Jas 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit. 19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

It means the person is saved, but any reward that would have resulted from the works became ash.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Fire works in two ways: It both destroys and purifies.

When a lump of metal is put to the flame, the impurities in the metal are burned away into smoke, and all that remains is the pure metal, fit for its usefulness.

All of our works will be exposed on the Day of Judgment, and all that is evil shall be burned up in the fire of that Judgment.

Not all of our works will be destroyed, there will be works which are not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). So in our lives as Christians we are called to good works, these are works that last and mean something. Nothing that is truly get will ever be destroyed, in God's good and future world our lives lived here will mean something there.

It's not a matter of good works to earn us rewards in the Age to Come, but a matter of what we do here and now matters, it matters now and even more so, matters in the Age to Come. Our evil deeds shall be burned up, that which is truly good will never pass away. This is why the Apostle can say that tongues and prophecy and all such things can pass away, but love can never pass away. Love will always remain. All that is lovely, all that is true, all that is good, these are things that last, that are not transient, but have lasting permanence.

In the second passage, in 1 Corinthians 5, speaks of ecclesiastical discipline (including removing the offending brother from the community via excommunication) is not done out of malice, but out of necessity; and indeed this may be the necessary catalyst for someone to truly understand the hurt their actions have caused, not by shunning or punishing, but by letting them go do things their own way. It may be that, like the prodigal son, finds himself living in dirt and filth eating pig slop before their conscience is finally reached and become truly contrite.

Again, it's not about being malicious, or shunning, or doing anything other than loving them; but "handing them over to Satan", i.e., letting them go do things their own way. Even if this also means that, for everyone's good, placing them out of the congregation; though one may suspect that by this point they really have no desire to remain part of the congregation anyway.

We say, "Very well, have it your way"; and we continue to love them as we can, ready to welcome them with open arms when, at last, conscience is pricked and peace and healing can begin.

-CryptoLuthearn