1 Corinthians 4
1 Corinthians 4
[00:00:00] Hey everyone, welcome to God's plan, your part year two, where this year we're reading through and studying the entire New Testament one chapter at a time. Thanks again for joining us in discovering God's plan and your part in it. Today, we are going to dive a little bit deeper into this giant controversy that is, A huge part of the Corinthian church today, we're looking at first Corinthians chapter four, and Paul is going to give us a little bit more detail about all of these divisions that are erupting.
And I think specifically divisions that are targeting him as a leader, as a person, as a speaker. Uh, I think when we read first Corinthians four, we get a little bit better picture of what's going on here. And perhaps we get a glimpse at like Paul's own struggle with it and that Corinthian churches struggle.
With Paul, it does kind of feel to me as we were reading through this, like I resonated with the first part of the chapter. But then as we keep going, it seems like some of Paul's insecurities kind of come out and rise above and then it just seems like, [00:01:00] to me, it felt like he took a weird prideful turn. I know I'm probably reading into that very differently, but Where does that happen for you?
Well, especially in, like, halfway through the chapter. Uh, verse 14. I don't write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ. I urge you then, be imitators of me. So like, it's kind of like, he's not real impressed with how they're flocking to everybody else, but then it's like, follow me and do what I say.
So I don't know. It just feels weird. Historically. I think that's one of the passages that people have a huge problem with Paul. Um, because there is definitely a pushback out there that Paul seems prideful, that Paul seems arrogant, that he seems insecure because when you're reading his stuff, he's like, Telling people just flat out like do what I do Well, I think if he if there's if he's so passionate about people not doing what everybody else does I think I would definitely change that line to be [00:02:00] like be imitators of Christ.
Uh huh. Period. Yeah. Like, why throw yourself in there in any way? I was telling Ryan before this episode even started, those words would never come out of my mouth. Not once. Like, I would never tell somebody, well, if you're struggling, just do what I do. Like, that just seems so off putting. Okay. So, we'll, we'll see.
We'll dig into that here in just a second, just to do it justice. I want to back up and look at the first part of the chapter. Um, because Paul has over the last three chapters, he's kind of established that he's writing a corrective letter. Uh, he wants to adjust some of the behaviors and problems that he sees in the Corinthian church.
One of the behaviors and problems that he sees is that people are becoming followers of personalities, uh, rather than followers of Christ. So over and over again, we've talked about. Address this many times, people are saying that they are fans of, uh, Peter Cephas. They're saying they're fans of Apollo's.
They're saying they're fans of Paul, although it seems like Paul doesn't have many fans. And it, it's [00:03:00] problematic because people are being split in their loyalties and they're identifying first and foremost with their favorite pastor leader instead of with Christ and it's causing issues. Well, I did notice at the beginning too, he does call out in verse one.
Um, That it's kind of like a pickup from the prior chapter. This is how one should regard us, talking about like the leaders in the church, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Love that. I was like, wow, this is really strong. It's real punchy. Like, I like that. And then he moves right into verse, like even verse four, um, actually verse three.
But with me, it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or any human court. In fact, I don't even judge myself. Like. Wait, what are you even talking about? Cause that just seems very, again, prideful and weird. I think he's not, I think he's probably talking about the fact that like, although I'm not super eloquent in my speech, like I'm not going to like sit back and like fall [00:04:00] apart because you don't like how I talk.
Like that's what it seems like it could be. But then it's like, I don't even judge myself. Is he still referring to the same thing? Like, it just feels like, okay, where are you headed right now? Cause it seems like you think that you're perfect and I don't like that. So first and foremost, let's establish the fact that Paul is continuing an argument.
So we're not, we've said this over and over again. Don't read just this chapter, like take all the context into consideration. Second of all, Paul, at this point is a mature representative of Christ writing to an immature group of people who are trying their very best To follow Christ. Now we do know, uh, that there is a group of people that are, that are committed to following Christ.
We also know they have not been doing it for very long and they are bouncing up against hitting up against like pretty significant problems at this point. So Paul, the more mature, um, more established leader is trying to correct this group of people who are still figuring things out. And it is interesting, um, [00:05:00] how I think he actually does it.
With a lot of grace, one of the commentators that I was reading points out that there are obvious, um, personalities competing for attention. He obviously feels that tension, but at this point he does not say anything disrespectful or, um, he, he doesn't say anything. Trying to tear down those other personalities.
He's recognizing their contributions and calling them to be faithful to Christ. But we do see here in the beginning of chapter four that there is apparently, and this is where like, we, we only have one half of this conversation. We only have what Paul says. There is apparently some group of people that are pretty vocal in questioning Paul and even like, like, At the least questioning Paul and at the most trying to disregard him completely.
And so he, the more mature, more established, faithful leader is saying, Whoa, hold on a second. We need to deal with this. Well, in verse 3 also, our study Bible, I'm really [00:06:00] thankful for it actually, because it does help bring some things into light, but as I read through verse 3 and was really turned off by it, it does say that although he wasn't super great with his speech, some people thought that they could, this is what our Bible studies, our study Bible says, they thought they could judge his spiritual effectiveness by his speaking ability.
So like, I mean, that's like. Saying a truthful sentence but saying it in a, like, super dull, monotone way but then having someone else say something sort of like it but like in a super fancy way that doesn't actually lead you to the same truth. That's exactly it. That is what I think he's dealing with and it does put it into a little bit better of a perspective just like we've been talking about yesterday where, uh, We're essentially saying, like, there's all of these men who water, all of these men who plant seeds, but ultimately, God is the one that's at work in all of it.
So, this is where, and you'll probably get sick of hearing me say this throughout the Corinthian Um, these letters [00:07:00] are really, really valuable to us today because I think we struggle with a lot of the same things that the Corinthians struggled with. Well, he even says in verse eight that they have become kings and this is like not a, not a good thing.
Well, there's, there's two views on what he's trying to do here. One is that he is appealing to their actual cultural affluence. We do know that the Corinthian church, um, They were fairly wealthy, or at least more wealthy than other churches. Uh, they enjoyed cultural influence, at least more than some of the other churches.
So he could be appealing here to them and, and kind of mocking them in a way, saying like, well, you're already wealthy. You're already influential. You're already appearing to be Kings to a lot of these other churches. The other thing he could be doing like kind of on the flip side is saying, Hey, You have right relationship with Christ.
You have come to salvation and because you've come to salvation, you are already reigning as Kings. Now he does say like, I wish that I could reign with you. So then the question is like, well, why would he say that if [00:08:00] he's appealing to their spiritual, um, But he is kind of tongue in cheek saying like, Hey, look at what you already have.
Wouldn't it be awesome if you were even more mature in your faith? And then that's where he runs into talking about the role of the apostles, basically saying that the apostles are kind of walking out this parade of shame as though they are walking unto death. A lot of commentators believe he has this, um, very Roman idea in his mind of parading the gladiators down the main streets to the Coliseum to fight to the death.
So people would have been like very aware of that kind of occurrence. They would have been pretty familiar with that kind of imagery. And it is, um, I don't know, like ironic or sad or something that, uh, The apostles basically did do that like they were really well known because they were sort of seen as enemies of the people and many of them were in fact paraded to their death like their literal death.
Um, so he's kind of saying like, hey, like, you guys kind of live this [00:09:00] comfortable life and us apostles are out here basically taking shots all the time getting beat up. Um, Let's, let's be in this together and let's support each other. And that's where he talks about having fathers and basically saying, uh, follow me as I follow Christ, which he'll say explicitly later on, uh, here, I think he just kind of says, do what I do, which is what you're taking huge issue with.
Well, I think I've heard the other verse before too. And that's kind of what threw me off because this is just straight up be like me. But in the other verse, it's be like me because I'm imitating Christ. Well, he does start the chapter talking about being a steward of the mysteries of God, which is most likely the gospel.
So he starts out this lengthy argument saying, Hey, we are responsible. Um, For preaching the gospel and representing what God has called us to and then he appeals to his own life I think this father imagery thing is interesting because again, it's doing two things one He's talking about how he basically founded the Corinthian Church obviously [00:10:00] in Christ but He brought the gospel to this city and people are believers in the city in large part because he came and preached there But two he's appealing to their lack of maturity because there were not many influential People particularly men who had lived out a Christian faith.
Well, so there weren't many people to look to so he's saying hey I did found this church. I have done some things in your city, but also there are not many mature Christian men that you can look up to. And because of that one, I've sent you Timothy so that you can see what he is like and what he has to say.
And two, you know who I am and how I live. So try to emulate who I am and how I live in a sense until there are more mature believers there in your midst. Well, then he kind of like wraps it up then basically talking about, well, like I've sent Timothy to you. And he's a great guy because he does what I say.
So that's seriously what I hear. And then he's talking to them [00:11:00] about like, well, I will come to you soon if the Lord wills. Like, I don't know. It kind of like gives off some of those like weird celebrity vibes, but I guess he's just trying to be like, listen, I'll come and clear the air. I think I, obviously the way that you feel about it is how many people have felt about it.
I think. We don't see really well done correction anymore. And so sometimes when we see correction from mature believers. We're like, I don't like that. Why didn't he just let him figure it out? But the reality is Paul saying, Hey, what you're doing is wrong. I know what you're doing is wrong. I'm trying to gently correct you, but I am coming to be in your midst.
And when I come to be in your midst, like you have a choice. Like I can come and gently lead you and correct you. Or I can come in there and I can like make it very clear who's wrong. And who's not, and I like, what, what does he actually say? Like, um, verse come to you with a rod or with a love [00:12:00] and the spirit of gentleness.
He's basically saying, Hey, look, I care about the gospel. I care about Christ church. I'm willing to do this in a gentle way, but if you continue to resist correction, this is going to end up being a not gentle way. And honestly, like, I don't see that as a bad thing. There, there are many churches that are running amok and they could use some general correction or, or perhaps some less general correction.
I wonder though, like, how often does that actually play out well? Because Not very, yeah. How often do you hear of someone trying to speak truth into something, and it's like, they just don't listen, and then you're like, well, I tried, and I guess God's just gonna be the one that deals. Like, that is a constant to me.
Like, nobody actually cares what you say anyway. This is obviously a much bigger conversation, but in our culture and context, we are a low honor culture and there are other cultures in the world that are high honor cultures. So we, in the States look at like, Hey, I'm my own person and [00:13:00] I get to do what I'm going to do and I make the choices and I make the decisions and I'm going to do what I'm going to do.
There are other cultures where it's like, Hey. The older folks, the more mature folks, they make the decisions and we follow them and they don't have these kind of situations. It doesn't strike them as odd to listen to someone more seasoned, more wise. I think we would benefit to be more that way. Um, and I think it is like, it's not surprising to me that sometimes when We read these things, especially more independent minded people read.
These things are like, well, that's not very nice. And it actually reveals something about ourselves and how we interact with the message. Um, because in a high honor culture, it's like, well, Paul is a more mature believer. He established the church. He is a father of the church. There's no question about that.
Why would you not listen to him? And actually, I think about our own church context. Like we had the church that I was working at. We had a very prominent founder of the church. And if he walked out on the [00:14:00] stage and said, guys, We need to get this right. People would definitely listen to him. And, and actually because of who he was, because of what he had done, because of the life that you could readily see, if he walked out on the stage and said, guys, like we are not getting this right.
It's time to see what I'm doing and follow what I'm doing. I don't think we would have had that big of a problem with that actually, because of the life that he had already lived. Now, if we saw some young chippy folks do that, we'd be like, what are they doing and who do they think they are? So I think this is a chapter about wisdom and maturity.
I think it is a chapter about correction. I know it's hard to digest for many people. This is not the last time we're going to see Paul sound this way, but it is important to recognize that he is a more wise, more mature Christian believer who is trying to bring correction to a less mature group of believers, ultimately because he loves them and cares for them and wants what's best for them.
So sometimes I'll turn this into a, your part. Sometimes. It is actually good for us to receive correction and try to [00:15:00] adjust believing that someone speaking into our lives is more wise than we are, and it usually is a very valuable thing, and if we fight against it, sometimes we put ourselves in a less favorable, favorable place because of our own lack of wisdom and own lack of humility, um, to listen and learn from somebody who's, who's and done that before.
Um, so that's your part. I invite you to be humble. I invite you to receive correction. And if you are a older, wiser person, um, maybe Strive to do it. Well, maybe strive to, uh, we like to link it with a verse. How about this? Um, verse 21, let's try to correct people in a spirit of gentleness and make, uh, the rod the last resort instead of the, the go to, um, way of choice.
Uh, we'll be back again tomorrow with first Corinthians chapter five. We'll see you then. Thanks for joining us for another episode of God's Plan, Your Part. We wanted to remind you that reading God's Word is so important and it will transform your life. [00:16:00] If you want a copy of the Bible that we use here on the podcast, just go ahead and send us an email at godsplanyourpart at gmail.
com. With that being said, here is the reading for today. First Corinthians chapter four. This is how one should regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Amen. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court.
In fact, I do not even judge myself, for I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart.
Then each one will receive his commendation from God. I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be [00:17:00] puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you?
What do you have that you did not receive? If you then received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us you have become kings. And would that you did reign, so that we might share in the rule with you. For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, 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 held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst. We are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor working with our hands. When reviled, we bless. When persecuted, we endure.
When slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, [00:18:00] the refutes of all things. I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. Children, for though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
I urge you then, be imitators of me. That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you, but I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills. And we'll find out.
Not the talk of these arrogant people, but their power for the kingdom of God does not consist in talk, but in power. What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod or with love in the spirit of gentleness? Thank you so much for listening to today's episode of God's plan. Your part. Don't forget. You can find us on just about every social media platform.
Let us know what you [00:19:00] thought of today's episode. And if you have any questions, go ahead and post them there. You can also reach out to us directly at godsplanyourpartatgmail. com. As always, if you don't have a Bible or if you'd like to use the one that we use, reach out to us via email and we'll be happy to send one to you.
Thanks again for listening. We'll see you again tomorrow.
