Considering this verse and Paul's earlier comments in 1 Cor. 3 about building a work of ministry that lasts, which will gain the minster a reward, one would think that Paul is contradicting himself. After all, he is on the verge of losing his Corithian community of Christians and his response to this threat is that he digs in his heals and executes church discipline. One would think that church discipline would interrupt the life of a "good church." But on the contrary, when believers are not held accountable to the word of God and its values, are we are building is a work made of wood, hay and stubble, which WILL be consumed on the Day. This is why church discipline outweighs church growth. It purges the church of sin, making it a REAL church.