Part 10: A Spiritual Father's Difficult Responsibility

1 Corinthians 4:5–9 NASB95

5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God. 6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other. 7 For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? 8 You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you. 9 For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.

Story of mother on the phone and me as a child.

Story of me as a father with children. The father seems to always get the mop up job.

Introduction

Late time: Paul confronted the Corinthians to consider who they really are in Christ: the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Implications of being God’s temple: we are to seek unity and avoid division. Paul gave a warning: those who divide will face judgement.

The wise thing to do as Christians is to maintain unity at all costs and avoid boasting and pride.

This week: Paul is preparing to lay out some really difficult teaching and to rebuke the Corinthians for their sin and numerous divisions. As he prepares to do this, he first reminds them of his relationship to them.

The relationship: Paul is their spiritual father. As their spiritual father, he has certain responsibilities and obligations toward them as his spiritual children. Likewise, they (as spiritual children) have certain obligations toward Paul.

What we will see: We all have spiritual fathers/mothers, and we all have responsibilities toward them: to live as they live and to teach what they teach as it reflects the ways of Christ.

1. What the Apostles Are (4:1-6, 9-13)

Servants with a Clear Conscience (v.1-6)

1 Corinthians 4:1–6 NASB95

1 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. 3 But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. 4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. 5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God. 6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.

“Servants” - not the usual word for “servant” (diakonos) - “one who waits tables.” Here it is huperetas (ὑπηρέτας) - “one who is subordinate to another” - used to show Paul’s inferiority to Christ, that he is in submission to the Lord, humility

“Stewards” - οἰκονόμος - “one who manages a household”

“trustworthy” - οἰκονόμος - “faithful”

Paul is establishing his authority, his managerial oversight, in relation to the Corinthian church in a humble, loving way. As managers of the Corinthian church, Paul’s (and the apostles’) main duty is faithfulness, not just to God but to them. Paul, in not so many words, tells them that he is faithful to this ministry of the Gospel and to them. As such, they should not judge prematurely Paul’s ministry and his faithfulness to it. The Lord is the only one who can judge his motives anyway.

Application:

David Garland, Baker Commentary:

1 Corinthians (3) Faithfulness as the Criterion of Judgment (4:1–5)

“The gist of Paul’s argument is this: if they are to regard ministers such as Paul, Apollos, and Cephas as menial underlings who belong to them and as God’s household managers whose chief duty is faithfulness, then they also need to regard their local leaders in the same way.”

Paul goes on to basically illustrate what it means to be a servant of Christ and a manager of the church, and it isn’t pretty:

A Spectacle (v.9)

1 Corinthians 4:9 NASB95

9 For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.

“Spectacle” - θέᾱτρον - “theater” - They are on a stage for the whole world to see

One thing that proves Paul does not have any impure motive and that he has only the interest of the Corinthians at heart is that the world hates them. It hates them so much that it seeks their death. No man is going to be motivated to die for a purpose they know is ill conceived. A person’s motive could certainly be wrong, but we couldn’t claim it was impure—that he didn’t think it was true.

If Paul’s motive for asserting his authority over the Corinthians were impure, he certainly is not gaining anything from it because he stands as a man condemned to death by the world.

But it’s more than that:

Fools, Weak, Poor (v.10-11)

1 Corinthians 4:10–11 NASB95

10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. 11 To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless;

But not only that. They are:

Workers, Persecuted, Scum (v.12-13)

1 Corinthians 4:12–13 NASB95

12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; 13 when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.

“toil” - strive, struggle, work hard

“working” - Paul was a tent maker; the apostles did other work

“reviled” - abuse verbally

“persecuted” - pursue, chase (as in hunting)

“slandered” - defamed, use ill words of

“the SCUM of the world” - περικᾰθᾰρμα - term used to refer to those who were viewed to be worthless, something despised

“dregs” - something scraped off or leftover (as in coffee) that is viewed to be thrown out

Application:

This is how the world treats pastors and teachers of God’s Word

Unfortunately, this is how some even in the church treat pastors and teachers of God’s Word

Now, the Apostle Paul turns to contrast what the Corinthians are compared to him and the apostles:

2. What the Corinthians Are (4:7-8)

1 Corinthians 4:7–8 NASB95

7 For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? 8 You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you.

Paul’s questions and descriptions of the Corinthians should not be taken as literal and as a compliment. Rather, Paul is accusing them. His words are intended to be tongue-in-cheek.

Paul had just pointed out to them that he and the apostles are servants of Christ, and because of that, receive the same hatred and indignation that Christ received. They face hardships and condemnation.

Contrast that with the Corinthians and their attitude: they live like early kings, i.e., they try to rule over each other; they make divisions among themselves; they live debauched, sinful lives and think nothing of it.

And so Paul asks them, “For who regards you as superior?” I.e., “Who do you think you are, anyway? Judging us as inferior when we are suffering servants of Jesus.”

Paul then turns to accusing them through use of mockery:

Rich, Kings (v.7-8)

Mockingly, Paul tells them, “You have already become rich, you have become kings without us.”

What is interesting is that the Corinthians had indeed become rich. They did so by receiving the Gospel preached by Paul and others. But some of the Corinthians think they are better than Paul; others think they are better than Peter or Apollos.

Paul is basically saying, “You have outdone all of us Apostles; you have really progressed in grace so much that you are so much better than any of us.”

What Paul is attempting to teach them: that the Corinthians are living like arrogant, sinful kings and by the wisdom of the world rather than by godly wisdom and servanthood. The ultimate point Paul will be making: the suffering that he and the apostles endure is a calling that every Christian is called to. Every Christian is to identify with Christ through suffering in this world. And so the Corinthians ought to be ashamed of themselves for making harsh, critical judgements of Paul and the other apostles.

Philippians 1:29–30 “29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

So what are the Corinthians? They are arrogant, haughty people who act like earthly kings, i.e., they think they are better than everyone else, including those in the church.

Application:

Here’s the tough question for us: do we think we are better than others in the church?

Do we think we have arrived on the highest spiritual plane, so much so that we can judge the servants of Jesus Christ who suffer for him?

Although Paul is quite direct and bold with them, he now turns to appeal to them as a spiritual father:

3. What Paul is (4:14-15, 18-21)

1 Corinthians 4:14–15 NASB95

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

He does not tell them these things to be harsh with them and bring guilt upon them (to bang on them), but to gently and seriously warn and instruct as beloved children.

They may have countless tutors (teachers), but Paul stands as their:

Father of Faith (v.15)

Paul is their faither in the faith in the sense the he is the one who first proclaimed and instructed them in the Gospel. It was under his preaching that they became believers. The time he spent with them was not without its difficulties.

Paul came Corinth right after preaching in Athens, Greece. Acts 18 records that Paul originally preached to the Jews of the city, but they rejected him. So he went to the Gentiles and told them about the Gospel. And Acts 18:8 tells us that many Gentiles believed and were baptized. Then Paul stayed there for 1.5 years. During that time, Jewish leaders attempted to stone him to death.

Being the Corinthians “Father of Faith” was not easy. He had a difficult job:

A Father’s Difficult Responsibility (v.14, 18-21)

Being a father of faith includes challenging responsibilities. Just like a biological father has responsibilities, so does a spiritual father. His duties do not end after siring a child; they continue.

v.14 indicates he has the responsibility to admonish them when they go wrong: “I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.”

v.18 indicates that he had to point out their wrong-doing: “Now some have become arrogant, as thought I were not coming to you.”

Sometimes a spiritual father has to warn. V.19:

1 Corinthians 4:19–21 NASB95

19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. 21 What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

This reminds me of: “Wait until your father comes homes.” “Do you want me to pull this car over?”

Application:

Who are our fathers of faith?

Do we have that one person who led us to Christ? What did it take for that person to lead you to Christ? Have we ever thought about it?

In America: some of our fathers/mothers of the faith gave up their time, money, health

Missionaries: more than time and money. They often give up the luxuries of America: AC, heat, a nice home, microwaves, TV, freedom, and often peace and safety

A close or good parallel here is leadership in the local church: pastor, ministers, elders, and teachers.

Their work is not easy:

1 Timothy 3:1 “1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.”

“fine work” = good work (ἔργον) - work - the term often carries the idea of fighting in a battle

He must be able to teach (1 Tim 3:2); he must be able to exhort in sound biblical teaching as well as refute those who teach falsely; they have to apply church discipline; they are to equip the local church for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up

This work can be challenging, difficult, and not always fun. Who really desires to be in a position to correct a person, esp in our day and in our culture, where no one is wrong and no one is allowed to be “judgy?”

Illustration of most common reasons why pastors leave the full-time ministry.

Just like Paul, I do not present these stats to shame in any way. It’s just to give you a heads up of what really happens in a pastor’s life—what they struggle with and how hard it really is.

Considering we have fathers of the faith, what exactly is our responsibility to them? Do we have any?

4. The Obligations of Spiritual Children (4:16-17)

Imitate Their Father (v.16)

1 Corinthians 4:16 NASB95

16 Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.

Is Paul arrogant here? Does he think he is superior? Aren’t we supposed to follow Jesus and not a man? Isn’t this Paul’s whole point so far? Yes! But he drives this point home by describing to them the difference between his servanthood of Christ and the Corinthians attituded and mindset that they are like kings.

When Paul says to be an imitator of him, he is saying that the Corinthians are to be weak, poor, scum of the earth, foolish, and persecuted just like Christ. That’s the type of attitude they ought to have. They ought be pursuing and acting wise according to the world by raising people up on a pedestal and dividing the church.

In short, the Corinthians ought to be acting like Paul acts as it reflects the actions of Jesus.

1 Corinthians 11:1 “1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”

But we do not have just the obligation to act, or live, like the fathers of faith (as a servant of Jesus). We have the responsibility to follow their teaching.

Follow Their Father’s Teaching (v.17)

1 Corinthians 4:17 NASB95

17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.

Paul cares so much for the Corinthians that he is sending one of his well known understudies, Timothy, to remind them what he taught them.

Paul obviously believes that the Corinthians have forgotten what he taught them over the course of 1.5 years. And this is evident by their divisions and other sins they have been practicing.

Paul goes on to explain that what he teaches is consistent: consistent with the ways of Christ and consistent with what he teaches everywhere in every church. The Corinthians should not think that Paul says one thing to once church and something else to another church. The truth of the Gospel is absolute and the same for all people everywhere for all times.

Often difficult to grasp in our society where it is believed that everyone has a different faith. But if we are Christians, we have the same faith, the same Gospel. There is only one. We may experience that faith differently at times, but the Gospel—Jesus Christ, his death, and resurrection for sinners—is always the same.

Application:

What does this mean for us?

We have often heard it said by some parents: do as I say, not as I do. This is false and commits the error of the Pharisees.

We, too, are to live and follow the ways of our spiritual fathers as they live and teach the ways of Christ.

The emphasis here is “in the ways of Christ.” Obviously do not follow them if they are acting sinfully or teaching false doctrine.

Hebrews 13:17 “17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”