1 Corinthians 4
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Ministers = word use here entails subordination.
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Faithful = reliable
Stewarts = managers of larger estates, mangers or administrators
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
By myself = Lit., against myself
Paul says, “I have a clear conscience, but my final judgement is with God.” I answer to God, not man.
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Wait on the judgement of Christ
He is the only one who sees the hidden things
He will reveal the motivations of the heart: good or bad…
Every believer will have some rewards of praise from God, for all will bear some fruit.
And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
Apollos and Paul set the example for how we should see one another, not to elevate a man’s word above scripture. Not to elevate one man above another. Paul is saying neither he, nor Apollos taught them what they are now practicing. (divisions in the church by following the words of men, not God)
For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
Why are you divided?
Did we hold any truth back from you?
If you received the truth, then why do you act the way you do? Why are you childish? (1 Cor. 3:1-3)
Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
The Corinthians though that they had special knowledge.
They thought that they were spiritually superior to one another.
For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
Spectacle = put on parade, flaunted, like the gladiatorial arenas, or how slaves were paraded in to the city after a conquest. Public shame.
We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised.
Paul continues to show the irony in the thoughts of the Corinthians in believing they are spiritually superior. Paul is showing a contrast and comparison on those who have suffered for Christ and how the Corinthians have not suffered.
Call into question, if you have not suffered for Christ, are you living for Christ?
Many today think that God blesses them with new cars, and expensive clothes and other worldly things because they are more spiritual. Paul is showing that they are incorrect to make such judgements.
Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
WE earn our own keep
When we receive hatred, we give blessings (love)
When oppressed we endure
Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off scouring of all things unto this day.
Being insulted, we plead
We, the apostles, are seen as dirty and unwanted, to be thrown away with, even as of today. We have no respect among men of the world, and we do not desire such a thing.
Paul has made several points to show his case on the cost for following Christ. This cost if because in order to please God you must walk in the Spirit, not the flesh. He has shown that the supposed superiority of the Corinthians faith is superficial and childish.
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
Paul is being hard, caustic, and critical of the Corinthian believers.
Paul is giving hard counsel to spare them the judgement of God.
For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
There were many teachers in Corinth, but the church was founded in Paul’s teaching of the Gospel.
There is only one Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul is the spiritual father to the church at Corinth.
Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
Be united in the Gospel Paul taught
Follow the example that Paul has set before them
For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
Paul is sending a teacher (Timothy)
Timothy is close to Paul’s heart
Timothy has been Paul’s apprentice and travelled with Paul
Timothy is strong in his faith and doctrine
Timothy should be listened to as if he were Paul
Timothy walks in the Spirit
Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
Paul withes for this letter and the arrival of Timothy to help the church to correct itself
Paul is assuring that he is still coming to address further issues the church has. Issues revealed later in the text.
Paul is not coming for a debate, but to bring the Spirit to bear on the arrogance of those who are dividing the church
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
Paul is not coming to give his opinion
Paul is going to let the Word of God confront the issues of the church. It is a matter of survival for the church and maturity for the individual believers.
What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
This is a plea for the church to listen to what Paul has written and what Timothy will teach them
Paul is calling for repentance from the church
Paul is reinforcing that he is coming; does he need to come as
A one bringing judgement from God or as a fellow laborer in Christ.