1 Corinthian (Class Version)

Chapter 4

1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.

2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.

4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Now that Paul has made his case about boasting and dividing over men, he's going to finish this teaching by addressing their pride and the way that they had been treating him with arrogance

How should the apostles be regarded?

As servants of God who have been given the secret things of God (a steward of God's word).The apostles received something that no other people ever received: revelation to write Scripture and teach the "secret" things of God

Because Paul is an apostle he knows that he is accountable to prove himself faithful but who is he accountable to?

He's not accountable to the Corinthians, he doesn't care how they judge him – but he is accountable to God because it is God who will judge his performance. Probably some of the Corinthians had been judging Paul; maybe saying that his motives were bad – so he makes it clear that it doesn't matter what they think because God knows his motives.

Notice that the judgment will be based on motives – why did you do it? So, it is possible to do things "for the Lord" but have the wrong motive and therefore lose the reward. This is the same type of judgment that is described in ch.3 – not about salvation, but for eternal rewards

6 Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.

7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings--and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you!

9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men.

10 We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!

11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.

12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;

13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

In v.6, what things did Paul apply to himself and Apollos?

The position of mere servants and stewards – i.e. humble positions

Note: their positions are similar – he's not saying that one is above the other

So, he uses himself and Apollos in order to teach them something – what is it?

To not go beyond what is written

What does this mean?

To not go beyond what is written in the word of God, which Paul had a part in writing. Or, in other words, to not think of themselves as being better or wiser than him by not listening to him; doing their own thing and setting their own standard also, he wants them to see that they should not take pride in Apollos over him, or himself over Apollos

He then asks them three questions to try to humble them?

Who makes you different from anyone else? Meaning: following one apostle over another does not make you greater

What do you have that you did not receive? Meaning: the spiritual gifts and things that you have received from the Lord were given to you because of God's grace, not because you are so great

So then, why do you boast about these things as though you deserve them? (Paraphrased)

In the next few verses Paul uses a type of figurative language?

Sarcasm, or irony – it's not literal – he's trying to humble them

What is the illustration that he uses for himself in v.9?

When the Romans came back from war they would enter the city with the armies in the front, the stolen goods (booty) second, then the prisoners last – these prisoners would be condemned to die in the coliseum or somewhere similar. He felt like one of these men – a spectacle (?) being watched and judged by all of the onlookers

What does Paul emphasize in v.10-13?

Their spiritual pride and his own weakness – because this is why they were despising him – they thought they were great and that he was too weak for them. The next segment tells us what he is getting at

14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children.

15 Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

17 For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.

19 But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.

20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?

So, why is Paul emphasizing his own weakness and their pride?

Not to shame them (even though it seems like it would be shameful), but in order to encourage them to follow his example of humility ("imitate me")

Notice: he is their spiritual father – thus, even though it is difficult for him, he makes it his effort to lead them into humility instead of just abandoning them in their pride (much easier)

In order to continue to teach them Paul is going to send Timothy, and he also talks about himself coming to them in order to straighten things out – so, he leaves them with a choice???

Either they can humble themselves, which will allow for him to come to them in gentleness and love – or he will come and humble them with a whip (figurative) Again, like a father who cares for his children

Summary review: the first main teaching is a correction focusing on divisions due to pride and exalting man