Filter results by source database — Scripture Commentary, Theology, Mike Winger, or Pulpit. Click a tab to narrow to one database.

...more
All (24) Mike Winger (24)
Mike Winger idea 2018-03-21

Two primary passages Catholic apologists use for purgatory: 1 Corinthians 3 and 2 Maccabees

Identifying the core biblical texts used by Catholics to support the doctrine

1 Corinthians 3 purgatory 1 Corinthians 3 2 Maccabees 12:38-46
Mike Winger idea 2018-03-21

Method: read 1 Corinthians 3, present the Catholic interpretation, then do verse-by-verse exegesis

Establishing the exegetical methodology for examining the passage

1 Corinthians 3 hermeneutics exegesis 1 Corinthians 3
Mike Winger idea 2018-03-21

Reading of 1 Corinthians 3:4-15

Scripture reading of the first key passage

1 Corinthians 3:4-15 Paul Apollos works
Mike Winger idea 2018-03-21

Catholic interpretation of 1 Corinthians 3: fire = purgatorial fire that purifies the believer

Mike fairly summarizes what Catholic apologists say about this passage

1 Corinthians 3:13-15 purgatory Catholic apologetics purification
Mike Winger idea 2018-03-21

The key word in 1 Corinthians 3 is 'reward' (vv. 8 and 14), not purification — establishing the passage's actual theme

Verse-by-verse exegesis identifying the controlling theme of the passage

1 Corinthians 3:8 1 Corinthians 3:14 exegesis purification rewards
Mike Winger idea 2018-03-21

Transition from planting/watering analogy to building analogy in 1 Corinthians 3:9-10

Structural analysis of the passage's two analogies

1 Corinthians 3:9-10 hermeneutics Paul ministry
Mike Winger idea 2018-03-21

The foundation metaphor: Jesus Christ is the foundation; building on it = post-salvation ministry to believers

Exegesis of 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 and the nature of building on the foundation

1 Corinthians 3:10-11 Paul discipleship Jesus Christ
Mike Winger idea 2018-03-21

Gold, silver, precious stones vs. wood, hay, straw: quality of ministry, not purity of the person

Exegesis of 1 Corinthians 3:12 — the building materials metaphor

1 Corinthians 3:12 ministry works judgment
Mike Winger idea 2018-03-21

Critical distinction: it is the WORKS that are tested and potentially destroyed by fire, not the person

Core exegetical argument against the Catholic use of 1 Corinthians 3

1 Corinthians 3:13 works purgatory purification
Mike Winger idea 2018-03-21

1 Corinthians 3:14-15: rewards or loss, not purgatorial suffering — salvation is never in question

Exegesis of the closing verses of the passage

1 Corinthians 3:14-15 salvation purgatory rewards
Mike Winger idea 2018-03-21

'Saved as through fire' is an idiom/analogy, not a description of a purifying fire experience

Addressing the specific phrase Catholics emphasize in v. 15

1 Corinthians 3:15 hermeneutics salvation purgatory
Mike Winger idea 2018-03-21

Even granting purgatory is true, 1 Corinthians 3 could not be used to teach it — wrong passage entirely

Summarizing conclusion on 1 Corinthians 3

1 Corinthians 3 hermeneutics eisegesis purgatory
Mike Winger idea 2018-03-21

Pattern of false teaching: take a doctrine, find a Bible passage with similar vocabulary, read the doctrine into the passage

Hermeneutical critique applied more broadly

Ezekiel 2 Corinthians 12 hermeneutics eisegesis false teaching
Mike Winger idea 2018-03-21

Tim Staples' argument: 'you can't separate the person from the works' — and Mike's rebuttal

Engaging a specific Catholic apologist's defense of the 1 Corinthians 3 reading

1 Corinthians 3 eisegesis Catholic Answers purgatory
Mike Winger idea 2018-10-17

Believers are not punished at final judgment but may experience loss of rewards; the Bema Seat (1 Corinthians 3) is a judgment for rewards, not condemnation.

Q&A section: a viewer asks whether believers will receive any punishment similar to the Luke 12 servant passage.

1 Corinthians 3 2 Corinthians 5:10 salvation works judgment
Mike Winger idea 2019-01-30

Revelation 22:12 — "repaying each one for what he has done" does not teach levels of heaven or works-based salvation

Q&A: questioner asks whether Revelation 22:12 implies different levels or places in heaven based on works.

1 Corinthians 3 Revelation 22:12-14 1 Corinthians 3 Revelation 22:12-14 Heavenly rewards
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-23

1 Corinthians 3 — believers are judged at the Bema for their works (gold/silver/precious stones vs. wood/hay/straw), not for salvation

Question from Emily Bain about how forgiveness of sins relates to judgment day.

1 Corinthians 3 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 salvation judgment 1 Corinthians 3
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-15

Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of Talents) and 1 Corinthians 3:12 are distinct analogies and should not be conflated

Question from Eelo Minish about whether the "bags of silver" in Matthew 25 are the same as the gold/silver/wood in 1 Corinthians 3:12.

Matthew 25:14-30 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 Matthew 25:14-30 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 Parable of Talents
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-29

Q&A: Will saved Christians be punished on Judgment Day? Not punished in the hell sense — Jesus took that punishment. But 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 shows believers' works will be tested by fire: gold/silver/precious stones survive (pure ministry); wood/hay/straw burn up (compromised service). The person is saved but may suffer loss of ALL rewards. 2 Corinthians 5:10: we receive what is due for what we've done — this is loss of reward, not punishment.

Q&A — believers' judgment and rewards

2 Corinthians 5:10 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 2 Corinthians 5:10 2 Corinthians 5:10 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 2 Corinthians 5:10
Mike Winger idea 2021-10-15

Reconciling 2 Important Verses/Worldly Christians?: Can you explain Matthew 7: 21 vs. Romans 10: 13? Also, how do you spot worldly Christians (1 Corinthians 3:1) from those who are unsaved but have good works (Matthew 7: 22-23)? Shouldn't we have grace for sanctification?

Q&A question: Reconciling 2 Important Verses/Worldly Christians?

Romans 10 1 Corinthians 3 Matthew sanctification Romans 10 1 Corinthians 3
Mike Winger idea 2023-08-18

Leading with Proper Wisdom: In light of 1 Corinthians 3: 18, how can I lead others spiritually with wisdom without considering myself to be wise?

Q&A question: Leading with Proper Wisdom

1 Corinthians 3 1 Corinthians 3
Mike Winger idea 2024-08-16

Burned Works = Unsaved Soul?: Regarding 1 Corinthians 3: 15, how can someone be saved if their work is burned up? Wouldn’t the frailty of their work suggest that their faith wasn’t true in the first place?

Q&A question: Burned Works = Unsaved Soul?

1 Corinthians 3 1 Corinthians 3
Mike Winger idea 2024-10-11

Christ is “God’s”?: In 1 Corinthians 3: 23, what does it mean that Christ is “God’s”?

Q&A question: Christ is “God’s”?

1 Corinthians 3 1 Corinthians 3
Mike Winger idea 2026-03-13

Building Materials: Works or Teachings?: I've heard it taught that the building materials in 1 Corinthians 3: 10-15 are a person's works, but reading the verses beforehand makes me think it's referring to teaching in the church. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Building Materials: Works or Teachings?

1 Corinthians 3 1 Corinthians 3