Will There Be Degrees of Reward in Heaven?

A question from 1 Corinthians 3:1-14.

Photo by Rampal Singh on Unsplash

One of the subscribers to Centered on Christ asked me a question recently.

I’m a new subscriber and I was wondering if you would take the time to speak on 1 Cor 3: 1-14. I’ve heard a well known preacher use this text as support for God rewarding individuals differently in heaven, saying there are degrees of reward in heaven. Does the Bible support this thought?

Let’s consider the question together.

The context of 1 Corinthians 3:1-14.

In 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, Paul is distressed that he couldn’t speak to them as spiritual people - like he should have been able to do - because of the division in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:10-13).

Apparently, some were exalting Paul and Apollos (and perhaps others), so Paul emphasized that they were mere servants of God. When it came to the people they had helped convert to Christ, God had given the increase (1 Corinthians 3:5-8). Both Paul and Apollos would be rewarded “according to his own labor.”

Paul identifies Apollos and himself as God’s “co-workers” and the church in Corinth as God’s field and His building. Paul and Apollos worked on “God’s field” and “God’s building” according to God’s will. Since Jesus Christ Himself is the foundation of “God’s building,” great care needed to be taken by anyone who worked on “God’s building” or labored in “God’s field” (1 Corinthians 3:9-11)

One ought to work with great care on “God’s building” and in “God’s field” because there will come a “Day” when “each one’s work will become clear.” In other words, those who labor among God’s people will have their ministry evaluated by the Lord Himself (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). So take great care in how you serve among God’s people.

Does this passage teach degrees of reward in heaven?

The reward discussed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:1-14 is connected to his work as a servant of God. Paul’s work was in proclaiming the gospel to souls. Some of those people would be saved, which would be a joyous thing for Paul.

Some would turn away from the Lord and be lost, and certainly, that would be intensely distressing to Paul - but their rejection of the gospel wouldn’t cause him to lose his soul.

Jesus taught the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16). In that parable, every worker received the same reward, regardless of when they started working during the day. When the master was questioned about giving those who had only worked an hour the same payment as the others, the master replied that the money was his to use as he pleased.

The same eternal reward awaits all the faithful, just as the same eternal punishment awaits all the unfaithful and unrighteous (Matthew 25:46).

So I would answer the question in this way:

• Everyone who enters heaven will receive the same reward (1 Timothy 4:6-8; Revelation 2:10).

• It’s possible that those who have experienced more significant hardship and suffering in this life may have various degrees of appreciation for heaven (Revelation 21:3-4).

The same reward will be offered to all - a victory crown. However, it’s possible that the Christian who had a long, hard road full of suffering to get there might have a different appreciation for the reward.

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These are my thoughts based on my understanding of the Scriptures. It’s not an exhaustive study of the subject, so I could have overlooked something important.

I don’t believe the eternal destiny of your soul hangs in the balance on whether or not you believe there are degrees of reward in heaven. However, it is an interesting question to consider.

Let me know whatever thoughts you have on the question!

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