FRAMEWORKS:
1 Corinthians 4
In
this ‘Framework' we use our usual text PLUS comment style to enable
you, as simply as possible, to catch the sense of his writing.
FRAMEWORKS:
1 Corinthians 4: Importance of Right Assessments
v.1-6
Beware making merely human assessments
v.7-13
The Realities of Apostolic Lives
v.14-21
Paul's Appeal and Warning
[Chapter
Synopsis: In this
final chapter in this first part, Paul appeals to the church to
understand these things and simply view of them as servants of
God who are directly answerable to God. He came with a father's
heart for them, as he hoped Timothy would confirm when he came.
The reality of the apostolic life was that they only came with
what God gave them but from a human standpoint their ministry
was often one of human weakness, oppositions and misunderstandings.
He understood some had been outspoken against him but the reality
would be seen when he hoped to return to them soon.]
v.1-6
Beware making merely human assessments
v.1
(I'll say it again, just
see us as trusted servants) This,
then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and
as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.
v.2
(such trusted ones must
prove their worth and be faithful to their calling) Now
it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove
faithful.
v.3
(I'm not bothered by
human assessments of me) I
care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court;
indeed, I do not even judge myself.
v.4
(I'm in the clear and
God judges me) My
conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is
the Lord who judges me.
v.5
(don't judge others;
let God do that on Judgment Day when He will bring everything
into the light) Therefore
judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes.
He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose
the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their
praise from God.
v.6
(I've spoken of myself
and Apollos as I have so you won't make us more than we are)
Now, brothers
and sisters, 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 be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against
the other.
[Passage
Synopsis: God is
the one who weighs up and assesses each one so don't judge anyone,
leave it to God on Judgment Day. He's only spoken this way that
they might learn.]
v.7-13
The Realities of Apostolic Lives
v.7
(each of us only has
what God gives us) 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?
v.8
(for example, you have
received so much from the Lord, although you've still got a long
way to go!) Already
you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have
begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really
had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you!
v.9
(I
think we apostles mostly are displayed by God in our weakness)
For it seems
to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the
procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have
been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well
as to human beings.
v.10
(we aren't thought of
us wise – like you! – and are mostly spoken against by many)
We are fools
for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you
are strong! You are honored, we are dishonoured!
v.11 (we
often live like beggars, we're so poor) To
this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are
brutally treated, we are homeless.
v.12,13
(we work hard to provide
for ourselves and have to come up with Christlike responses when
we are opposed and persecuted, we're nobodies!) We
work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when
we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer
kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the
world—right up to this moment.
[Passage
Synopsis: The realities
of being an apostle are displayed here: just God's servants who
minister only what God gives them, often appearing as nobodies,
spoken against, with lives full of uncertainties and oppositions,
often hungry and thirsty and poor, having to be Christlike in
the face of opposition.]
v.14-21
Paul's Appeal and Warning
v.14 (I'm
writing like this simply to give you an inside view so you won't
be judged by God) I
am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.
v.15
(I
come to you as a spiritual father) Even
if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many
fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the
gospel.
v.16
(please
follow the example of my life) Therefore
I urge you to imitate me.
v.17
(I'm
sending Timothy to you and he'll tell you what I'm really like)
For this reason
I have sent 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.
v.18
(some
are speaking haughtily while I'm not there) Some
of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
v.19
(but
I'm hoping to come soon, so we'll see how you are then) 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.
v.20
(this
kingdom isn't about words but about God's power) For
the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
v.21
(how
would you like me to come to you?) What
do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or
shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?
[Passage
Synopsis: As Paul
draws this first part to a close and gets ready to deal with various
other items on his ‘agenda', he appeals to them to not think badly
of him [implied] but to realise he speaks with the loving concerned
heart of a father. Timothy will be coming soon and verify that
this is how he feels for them. In the meantime he counsels them
not to speak arrogantly about him because he is hoping to come
again to them soon.]
RECAP-SUMMARY
of Chapters 1 to 4
Because
there is a unity within these first four chapters, it may be helpful
to provide a review of what we have read:
1
Corinthians 1: Greetings & Warnings about Divisiveness &
Spirit power
After
greetings and thanksgiving for the church (both of which with
hints at things to come in the letter) Paul chides the church
for the reports he has been receiving of divisions in the church.
The truth is that we are what we are because of the gospel which
starts and finishes with the Cross, which in the eyes of the world
may be foolish but in God's eyes is the way for salvation to be
received.
1
Corinthians 2: Weakness and Wisdom in the Spirit
Picking
up the thread of the foolishness and weakness of the Cross, Paul
shares how he had come to them in great weakness and so it was
only the power of the Spirit through his preaching that brought
conviction and salvation. We thus live by the Spirit who brings
us an understanding that the unbelieving world cannot receive.
1
Corinthians 3: Leadership Favouritism Banned
Again,
picking up the thread of division and disunity, Paul says this
reveals their immaturity, in the way it so often focused on ‘celebrity
following' favouritism. If they only realised the truth: the apostles
were merely servants of God who ministered only with what God
gave them and their lives were full of hardship, shortages, and
misunderstandings. They were accountable to God as they ministered
to build up the church, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and would
be answerable to God for their results.
1
Corinthians 4: Importance of Right Assessments
To
finalise this part he appeals to them to make right judgments
about them. He came as their spiritual father with a caring heart
which Timothy would confirm when he came. He was aware that some
were brashly outspoken about him in his absence but warned he
hoped to return soon so the difference between words and the power
of the Spirit might be seen.
Continue
to Chapter 5