1 Corinthians 4
Notes
Transcript
Review & Intro
Review & Intro
Paul has just given what felt like the mic drop moment in his apologetic against the divisions in the church caused by the Corinthians following and idolizing individuals over Christ:
1 Corinthians 3:21–23 “21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23 And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.”
Paul will now keep going in his apologetic, but the subject slightly changes...
1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 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. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 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.
mysteries of God (vs 1)
A “mystery” in the New Testament is something that had at one time been hidden but is now revealed to God’s people.
The mystery of God is the consummation (completion) of God’s plan in bringing His kingdom in Christ to fulfillment.
Ephesians 1:9–10 “9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:”
stewards (vs 1&2)
stewards (vs 1&2)
1 Corinthians 4:1–2 “1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
Paul is changing the metaphor a bit
steward: when the Corinthians heard this they would have thought of a slave put in charge of managing the masters house and distributing food and services
Luke 12:42 “42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?”
Paul says that the Corinthians are to regard him and Apollos —as servants. But his new point is that although he belongs to them, as it were (since he is Christ’s servant for them), they aren’t the boss of him.
What is required of household stewards is faithfulness (v. 2), and only the master of the house, not its other members, can make that determination (vv. 4b, 5c).
small thing to be judged by others(vs 3)
small thing to be judged by others(vs 3)
1 Corinthians 4:3–4 “3 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. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.”
don’t care if you follow Apollos because he’s a better speaker than me or tell each other I haven’t been faithful to Christ
2 Corinthians 10:10 “10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.”
don’t even judge myself
My conscience is clear but that don’t mean I’m faithful, it’s not me that says if I’m faithful or not, its Jesus
Therefore judge nothing before the time
Therefore judge nothing before the time
1 Corinthians 4:5 “5 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.”
don’t think you know the intentions of a mans thoughts and heart
The context is why others were preaching and teaching in a way that looked more like Corinth than Jesus
Interesting Paul says this in light of his recent past
Acts 15:36–40 “36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. 37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; 40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.”
2 Timothy 4:11 “11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”
Paul has questionable skill in reading people?
2 Timothy 4:10 “10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.”
I’m sure Paul stung a little when he was writing this to them
when the Lord comes back, he’ll show
hidden things of darkness: the secret reasons men were preaching and leading. Was it
counsels of the hearts: motives behind what they were doing
When Jesus gets back, he’s gonna judge all of our hearts. He’s gonna say who was truly faithful and
6 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. 7 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?
Apollos and I
We are all like farmers in God’s garden
We are all builders of God’s building; the church
We are all stewards tending God’s house
Now you know how to consider these teachers. You don’t think of anyone past how scripture tells you to
Why do you act like you just came up with something new. Anything we know, we are given by God.
I remember some times in my time since being saved, I thought I had found a new truth that clearly everyone had missed.
It’s in the moments the Lord was teaching me the humility Paul is telling the Corinthians good faithful leaders following Christ will show.
In my experience, when it comes to these moments remind yourself what the Bible says:
Ecclesiastes 1:9 “9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.”
8 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. 9 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. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Paul’s now going to call them out for their arrogance
Paul’s now going to call them out for their arrogance
they clearly have it all figured out: 1 Corinthians 4:8 “8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us:”
1 Corinthians 4:8 “and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.”: Paul wishes they were complete and Jesus had came back and they were all reigning as princes together:
Why does he wish that? 1 Corinthians 4:9 “9 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.”
Paul’s sarcasm starts to bite here: 1 Corinthians 4:10 “10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.”
But the truth is: 1 Corinthians 4:11–13 “11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.”
There were some that were saying Paul was unfaithful and preaching wrong because if he wasn’t wrong, he would clearly be more successful. Paul reminds them that he doesn’t care how men judge his faithfulness or preaching, or speech. Paul counters that claim by pointing out they were in the shape they were because 1 Corinthians 1:18 “18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” That is not part of Napoleon Hill’s strategy to Win Friends and Influence People and Think and Grow Rich. Consistency also demands the opposite isn’t necessarily true either: Being financially successful doesn’t mean someone isn’t a faithful preacher, teacher, or Christian. Poverty isn’t a mark of success any more than wealth is.
14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 15 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. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 17 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. 18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. 19 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. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
Paul isn’t being what may sound harsh to them to make fun of them or to be mean. But he writes to them as a father who loves them and is concerned for them
1 Corinthians 4:15–16 “15 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. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.”
He is their spiritual father who they came to faith after he went to them and preached the gospel to them and is discipling them. So just like he is being faithful and following Jesus, they need to follow him for that reason alone. not because he gives great power-point presentations or just fancy words. Simply because he’s following Jesus and if they act like him they will be following Jesus too and that’s what matters!
1 Corinthians 4:17 “17 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.”
1 Corinthians 4:18 “18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.”
Paul is anticipating some thinking Paul didn’t come himself because he was afraid or something and how they would receive Timothy and whether they would respect his authority (1 Corinthians 16:10–11 “10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. 11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.” )
1 Corinthians 4:19–20 “19 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. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”
Paul does intend to come to them and when he does, he’s not coming as the speaker Paul but the apostle Paul
Conclusion
Conclusion
What matters to Paul is Christ preaching and teaching Christ and Him crucified as Lord of creation setting aside His glory to save men from every speck of sin in them and changing them to be ministers of truth and trophies of grace.
Jesus didn’t die on the cross to make men rich OR to keep men poor. He died on the cross to spare them from the wrath of a Holy God that promised He will judge every though & deed in heaven and on earth knowing the hearts of men not just actions.
First and foremost if a person has no care at all about right and wrong and whether or not they have been pardoned by the work of Jesus on the Cross done on their behalf, they ought to beg God for faith and forgiveness
Second, If a person knows they aren’t right in the sight of the Lord they need to cast themselves, born in sin and transgressors by nature not just activity, at the foot of the Cross and ask Jesus to forgive them and help them live in the light of the grace and mercy He offers.
Lastly when we who are saved sin in any way spelled out to us in scripture we must repent and the Lord is faithful to forgive us and we pick up where he picked us up and dusted our tails and then dusts us off and start walking for His glory again!
Paul was every bit writing to the Corinthians wanting them to get to heaven when Jesus comes back; but he also understands being faithful to Christ determines our actions of today!
