Day By Day - 1 Corinthians 4
By Darryl Flaherty
Introduction:
In this chapter, Paul continues the quest to re-establish his authority with the Corinthians as their apostle, and in doing so he opens up a bit about the things he has to suffer in order to serve Christ.
I think that many Pastors or Christian leaders have complained about their hardships and may have complained a lot! In 1 Corinthians 4 we find insights about what apostles and other Christian workers have to suffer. Perhaps it will help you to understand that as you follow Christ, you too can expect to suffer hardship. This is what Paul told Timothy: "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 2:3)
But perhaps you're on the other end -- criticising Pastors and Christian leaders for their often very real weaknesses. This chapter has something to say to you, too.
Three verses stand out to me, the first speaks of the mysteries of God, the second tells us that we are not qualified to judge and the third speaks of the sacrifice required to follow Christ.
1. 1 Corinthians 4:1 “This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.”
The mystery of God is used in the New Testament to refer to divine revelation previously hidden. It was all that truth that Paul had to oversee and dispense as God’s servant and steward.
Jesus came and revealed to His followers the mystery of God. We are no longer closed off from the Father but can go boldly to the throne by the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the door that leads to close fellowship with God. We find Jesus speaking of these mysteries in Luke 8:10, He said, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.."
The mystery of God is the Truth in the Bible. The Holy Spirit reveals to all, who are truly believers, this mystery.
Luke’s verse 10, what do you think that is about? Why are some not allowed to understand the mysteries of God? Unless the Holy Spirit draws a person, who is truly repentant and seeking a relationship with Jesus, they are unable to understand what the truth, written in the Bible, is. To them it is nonsense and it is the Holy Spirit who reveals the truth to them.
2. 1 Corinthians 4:5 " 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."
“What is hidden in darkness”: This refers to the inner motives, thoughts, and attitudes that only God can know.
Our judgment on this earth is wrong because, like the Pharisees, we only judge what we see with our eyes and hear with our ears. God judges the heart of man. You may hide a sin you have committed from the world, but you will not be able to hide it from God. Since we are not able to judge justly, being human, we should not judge at all. Leave judgment up to Jesus who investigates the heart and judges. His judgment is perfect. Jesus is the Light. There is no darkness where He dwells. No sin can hide from His Light.
“...motives of the hearts”: Since final rewards will be based, not just on outward service, but on inward devotion, only God can give the praise each deserves.
3. 1 Corinthians 4:9 " 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."
There is a great deal of sacrifice in this world, required of those who minister God's Word. The fate of most of the apostles was very much like their leader, Jesus. John suffered much on this earth, even being banished to the Isle of Patmos for speaking the Word of God so boldly. Peter was crucified, head down at his request and Paul died in Rome after knowing much persecution on this earth.
The imagery of this verse is of condemned prisoners brought into a Roman arena to fight and die; the last ones brought out for slaughter were the grand finale. In His sovereign wisdom and for His ultimate glory, God chose to display the apostles figuratively before men and angels during the present age as just such worthless and condemned spectacles. Like doomed gladiators, they were ridiculed, spat on, imprisoned and beaten. Yet, God glorified His name through them as He used them to build His kingdom.
Final Thoughts:
We recently looked at the closing verse of this chapter during a Wednesday Zoom gathering.
1 Corinthians 4:9 “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?”
Paul leaves the ball in their court. Which Paul did they want to come? The Paul with the rod of correction, used by shepherds to smack disobedient sheep, or the Paul with the spirit of gentleness? There is no doubt Paul would prefer to come in gentleness, but he'll leave that decision up to the Corinthians.
Paul is facing some real challenges here; how to confront sin without being too harsh or implying that he is above sin; how to get people to conform their lives to the gospel when they think themselves above it. This is tough to do without judgement and as shown in verses 1 and 5, only a great work by the Holy Spirit can accomplish it!
Introduction:
In this chapter, Paul continues the quest to re-establish his authority with the Corinthians as their apostle, and in doing so he opens up a bit about the things he has to suffer in order to serve Christ.
I think that many Pastors or Christian leaders have complained about their hardships and may have complained a lot! In 1 Corinthians 4 we find insights about what apostles and other Christian workers have to suffer. Perhaps it will help you to understand that as you follow Christ, you too can expect to suffer hardship. This is what Paul told Timothy: "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 2:3)
But perhaps you're on the other end -- criticising Pastors and Christian leaders for their often very real weaknesses. This chapter has something to say to you, too.
Three verses stand out to me, the first speaks of the mysteries of God, the second tells us that we are not qualified to judge and the third speaks of the sacrifice required to follow Christ.
1. 1 Corinthians 4:1 “This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.”
The mystery of God is used in the New Testament to refer to divine revelation previously hidden. It was all that truth that Paul had to oversee and dispense as God’s servant and steward.
Jesus came and revealed to His followers the mystery of God. We are no longer closed off from the Father but can go boldly to the throne by the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the door that leads to close fellowship with God. We find Jesus speaking of these mysteries in Luke 8:10, He said, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.."
The mystery of God is the Truth in the Bible. The Holy Spirit reveals to all, who are truly believers, this mystery.
Luke’s verse 10, what do you think that is about? Why are some not allowed to understand the mysteries of God? Unless the Holy Spirit draws a person, who is truly repentant and seeking a relationship with Jesus, they are unable to understand what the truth, written in the Bible, is. To them it is nonsense and it is the Holy Spirit who reveals the truth to them.
2. 1 Corinthians 4:5 " 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."
“What is hidden in darkness”: This refers to the inner motives, thoughts, and attitudes that only God can know.
Our judgment on this earth is wrong because, like the Pharisees, we only judge what we see with our eyes and hear with our ears. God judges the heart of man. You may hide a sin you have committed from the world, but you will not be able to hide it from God. Since we are not able to judge justly, being human, we should not judge at all. Leave judgment up to Jesus who investigates the heart and judges. His judgment is perfect. Jesus is the Light. There is no darkness where He dwells. No sin can hide from His Light.
“...motives of the hearts”: Since final rewards will be based, not just on outward service, but on inward devotion, only God can give the praise each deserves.
3. 1 Corinthians 4:9 " 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."
There is a great deal of sacrifice in this world, required of those who minister God's Word. The fate of most of the apostles was very much like their leader, Jesus. John suffered much on this earth, even being banished to the Isle of Patmos for speaking the Word of God so boldly. Peter was crucified, head down at his request and Paul died in Rome after knowing much persecution on this earth.
The imagery of this verse is of condemned prisoners brought into a Roman arena to fight and die; the last ones brought out for slaughter were the grand finale. In His sovereign wisdom and for His ultimate glory, God chose to display the apostles figuratively before men and angels during the present age as just such worthless and condemned spectacles. Like doomed gladiators, they were ridiculed, spat on, imprisoned and beaten. Yet, God glorified His name through them as He used them to build His kingdom.
Final Thoughts:
We recently looked at the closing verse of this chapter during a Wednesday Zoom gathering.
1 Corinthians 4:9 “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?”
Paul leaves the ball in their court. Which Paul did they want to come? The Paul with the rod of correction, used by shepherds to smack disobedient sheep, or the Paul with the spirit of gentleness? There is no doubt Paul would prefer to come in gentleness, but he'll leave that decision up to the Corinthians.
Paul is facing some real challenges here; how to confront sin without being too harsh or implying that he is above sin; how to get people to conform their lives to the gospel when they think themselves above it. This is tough to do without judgement and as shown in verses 1 and 5, only a great work by the Holy Spirit can accomplish it!
Posted in 1 Corinthians