Overview
1 Corinthians Chapter 4, focused on the role of the apostles, and the difficulties they faced.
It also addressed the arrogance and disunity among the Corinthians, urging them to understand the correct perception of the apostles.
Bible Study/Commentary
Verses 1-5: The Role And Judgment Of Apostles
Paul opened this chapter by describing how apostles should be regarded: as servants of Christ, and stewards of God's mysteries.
He emphasized the importance of being found trustworthy in this role.
Paul explained that he paid little regard to human judgment, including being judged by the Corinthians or any human court.
He didn't even judge himself, because he knew the Lord was the ultimate judge.
He advised the Corinthians, not to pass judgment before the time, when the Lord would come, who would bring to light the hidden things, and reveal the intentions of man's heart.
Verses 6-13: The Humility And Suffering Of Apostles
Paul applied his teaching, to the specific case of himself, and Apollos.
He used them as examples to teach the Corinthians "not to go beyond what is written," so that none of them would be puffed up, in favor of one against another.
He then questioned the Corinthians' arrogance, highlighting the contrast between the perceived elevated status of the Corinthians, and the suffering and dishonor faced by the apostles.
Paul said that "The apostles were exhibited, as spectacles to the world, facing hunger, persecution, and slander, and were regarded as the scum of the earth.
Verses 14-21: Paul's Warning to the Corinthians
Paul, changing his tone, assured the Corinthians that he was writing these things not to shame them, but to admonish them, as his beloved children.
For though they might have countless guides in Christ, they did not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus, Paul became their father through the Gospel.
Note: The term "father," does not refer to an exalted title, but it describes the relationship that Paul had with them.
He urged them to imitate him, and told them that he was sending Timothy, his beloved and faithful son in the Lord, to remind them of his ways in Christ.
He warned those who were arrogant, that the kingdom of God did not consist in talk, but in power.
He ended the chapter by asking them if he should come with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness.
Overall Summary:
1 Corinthians 4, served as a direct address to the Corinthians, about their relationship with the apostles.
Paul sought to correct their view, emphasizing that apostles were servants of Christ, and stewards of God's mysteries.
He highlighted the true conditions of apostles, were marked by hardship and persecution, contrasting this with the Corinthians' arrogance and complacency.
The chapter ended with Paul asserting his relationship as a spiritual father to the Corinthians, expressing his concern and love for them, but also warning them about their behavior.
1 Corinthians 4
The Ministry of Apostles
4 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 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. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 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.
6 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 puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
8 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 the rule with you! 9 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. 10 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. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 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. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 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. 18 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
Q&A
1 Corinthians 4:1
Q1: How does Paul want himself and his fellow workers to be viewed?
A1: This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1 Corinthians 4:2
Q2: What is required of stewards?
A2: Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:3
Q3: What does Paul say about being judged by others?
A3: 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.
1 Corinthians 4:4
Q4: What does Paul acknowledge about himself?
A4: For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.
1 Corinthians 4:5
Q5: When will each receive his commendation?
A5: 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.
1 Corinthians 4:6
Q6: What does Paul warn against doing?
A6: 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 puffed up in favor of one against another.
1 Corinthians 4:7
Q7: What does Paul say about boasting in relation to gifts?
A7: For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
1 Corinthians 4:8
Q8: What does Paul say about being rich, reigning, and having everything?
A8: 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 the rule with you!
1 Corinthians 4:9
Q9: What does Paul say about the apostles' position in the eyes of the world?
A9: 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.
1 Corinthians 4:10
Q10: How does Paul describe the apostles' condition?
A10: 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.
1 Corinthians 4:11
Q11: What hardships do the apostles endure?
A11: To the present hour, we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless.
1 Corinthians 4:12
Q12: How do the apostles respond to reviling?
A12: and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;
1 Corinthians 4:13
Q13: How do the apostles respond to slander?
A13: when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
1 Corinthians 4:14
Q14: How does Paul address the Corinthians as his children?
A14: I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
1 Corinthians 4:15
Q15: How many guides does Paul say the Corinthians have in Christ?
A15: 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.
1 Corinthians 4:16
Q16: What does Paul urge the Corinthians to do?
A16: I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
1 Corinthians 4:17
Q17: Whom does Paul send to Corinth?
A17: 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.
1 Corinthians 4:18
Q18: What does Paul say about those who are arrogant?
A18: Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.
1 Corinthians 4:19
Q19: What does Paul say he will do if the Lord wills?
A19: But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power.
1 Corinthians 4:20
Q20: What does Paul say about the kingdom of God?
A20: For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.
1 Corinthians 4:21
Q21: How does Paul suggest he will come to the Corinthians?
A21: What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?