1 Corinthians chapter 4

Last week I shared chapter 3. I want to take a moment to reflect on things I’m pondering. Paul talked about not being able to speak to the believers as spiritual but as babes in Christ. There was envy, strife, and divisions among them. They were behaving like the world. The things they were doing is how carnal men behave. When we look at our world today you can see this very thing presently going on with the church. We can’t even agree on what the Bible says. Things get twisted. Scriptures are taken out of context. People are making their own interpretations of what “they think” is of God or not. The Bible says "His thoughts are not our thoughts and neither are our ways His ways" (Isaiah 55:8). We are supposed to line up with Him not try to get God to see things our way because of the times we currently live in. Paul was addressing the same problems with the Corinthians that we are dealing with in the church today. There’s nothing new under the sun. God is not surprised and if we read and study the Word enough we shouldn't be either.

Now for chapter 4. As stated in previous posts I’ll highlight and change the font colors of parts that strongly stand out to me.

1 Corinthians 4:1-21 (NKJV)

Stewards of the Mysteries of God
Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

Fools for Christ’s Sake
Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

Paul’s Paternal Care
I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?


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