1Cor. 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
Even as Paul begins a section of chastisement, he identifies his audience as his brethren, fellow believers, people he cares about. Paul is explaining why he limited his teaching to them. In contrasting spiritual with carnal, it seems that Paul is referencing a level of maturity regarding their knowledge and discernment of the things of God. In fact, he compares them to babes in Christ, newborns in the faith, people that need to learn the very basics of spiritual truth and how to make application in their lives.
1Cor. 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
Just as a baby needs milk to grow to a point of being able to digest meat, so the new believer needs to be taught to understand the foundational truths of faith before being taught the truths associated with a higher level of spiritual understanding. The writer of Hebrews expresses this same principle:
Hebrews 5:13-14 “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
One of the criteria for being able to add meat to your spiritual diet is skillfulness in the word of righteousness, the scripture. This involves more than just head knowledge. It is the ability to put that knowledge to use in discerning good and evil. Paul is stating that the Corinthians have not yet reached that skill level regarding the scriptures as exemplified by their actions, their lifestyles, the choices they were making. It’s obvious from the wording that Paul thinks that should have matured more spiritually by this time.
Guzik: “The difference between milk and solid food is one of degrees, not kind. Every doctrine that can be taught in seminary can be taught to children, though not in the same words.”
1Cor. 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
Paul is speaking the truth in love. He tells the Corinthians that they are still carnal, ruled by the flesh, spiritually immature. The proof of this is the fact that they are still acting according to the flesh through envying, strife and divisions. The Greek for the word envying was quite interesting—“heat, i.e. (figuratively) “zeal” (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy…” Strife includes the idea of “quarrels, wrangling, debate.” The word divisions is an emphasis on lack of unity. These are all actions of the flesh, the natural man, not actions that are produced as fruit of the Spirit in one’s life. Each sin seems to spawn the next sin—jealousy produces quarreling that results in division. That seems to be a formula for what produced many fractions in the body of Christ.
1Cor. 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
1Cor. 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
Paul now makes reference to the problem he identified in chapter 1. The envying, strife and division were reflected in the attitudes of the people regarding whom they claimed as their spiritual leader—Paul or Apollos. This is a fleshly response. You can almost hear the taunting in their voices as they compared their teachers—like a child bragging about his father, “My daddy is stronger than yours.” This is an example of immaturity. It certainly doesn’t reflect knowledge of scripture, which posits that man is but a vessel of the Potter—God, the Creator, the only One worthy of praise.
Isaiah 64:8 “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.”
Paul and Apollos are just men—just like every other man in the family of believers. They are vessels that God used to minister to (serve) others. Their ministry includes the sharing of the gospel message in order to bring men to believing faith in Christ Jesus.
1Cor. 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
1Cor. 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
Paul explains that he and Apollos are like workers in God’s garden. One plants, one waters, but it is God who causes the seed to produce fruit.
I got to wondering why Paul declared himself the planter and Apollos the one that followed with water. A word search of Apollos took me back to Acts 18-19. Paul went to Corinth from Athens and connected with Priscilla and Aquila, fellow tentmakers. The Jewish people rejected his teaching of Jesus as the Christ (Messiah), so he went to minister to the Gentiles in the city. He was there over a year and a half (18:11, 18). Then Paul (and evidently Priscilla and Aquila) went to Ephesus before Paul continued on his way to Jerusalem. Apollos enters the picture as a “certain Jew…born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures.” He came to Ephesus and spoke boldly in the synagogue where Priscilla and Aquila heard him. At that point, Apollos’ knowledge was limited to the baptism of John—the baptism of repentance. Evidently he was a very humble man, because he accepted instruction from Priscilla and Aquila to learn “the way of God more perfectly” (18:26). He learned well in that he “mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.” (18:28) Apollos then ended up in Corinth. Therefore, Paul was the first to plant the seeds of truth; Apollos followed and watered that seed. Their work in and of itself would have produced nothing without God’s work through the Holy Spirit in the hearts of those to whom the truth was taught and reinforced.
1Cor. 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
The word for one is an indication of people in agreement. The person who plants the seeds of the gospel and its truths and the one that waters or nourishes that truth so that it produces growth/fruit in the individual are a team, two people serving the same God laboring to accomplish the same goal. Though working as a team unified in spirit, each laborer will be rewarded according to his own efforts. The word for labour includes the idea of toil that produces pain and weariness. In other words, the more one suffers and extends oneself in service to the LORD, the greater will be his reward. It stands out that the reward is for the energy expended, the faithfulness in obedience, not for the resultant outcome or fruit produced.
1Cor. 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
Paul now includes the Corinthian believers as serving on the same team, for the same purpose, as he and Apollos. They are all co-workers in the service of the LORD—in fact, they are all co-workers with God in bringing people into the kingdom.
Paul emphasizes the truth with word pictures in the last half of the verse. God is the owner/master/builder of the farm/building. Those who come to Him in faith are pictured as the field being planted and watered and as a building that becomes solid and strong through the laying of a good, strong foundation and using material that will reinforce the strength and quality of the building. God is the overseer; we are the workmen. God is responsible for the resultant crop/building; we are the tools He uses to accomplish His purposes.
Courson: “Perhaps your margin correctly renders the word ‘husbandry’ as ‘tillage’ or ‘field.’ Feel like you’ve been tilled a bit this week? Don’t be surprised. You’re God’s field. The good news is that when fields get plowed, it means something excellent is about to be planted.”
1Cor. 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
Paul is very clear that his abilities are God-given; they are his because of the grace (divine influence, gifting) of God. He is not being boastful, just factual. He recognizes that he has been gifted so as to be considered a wisemasterbuilder, not just an ordinary laborer. At this point, Paul sticks with the word picture of a building. Paul, as a very skilled worker, has laid a strong foundation of the truth of the gospel, the work of Jesus Christ. He realizes the importance of a strong foundation as Jesus taught.
Luke 6:49 “But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.”
His work has prepared the way for the construction of a strong and beautiful building. Paul only has influence over the strength and quality of the foundation. Those who build upon that foundation are responsible for the quality of labor that goes into the rest of the building. Each person is rewarded for his own individual efforts in producing the finished product—not in the product itself.
1Cor. 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
In this verse Paul is emphasizing that he is not making a choice in the foundation that is laid. This is God’s building. God has supplied the foundation, His Son, Jesus Christ. This truth is supported by the prophet Isaiah:
Isaiah 28:16 “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”
Isaiah references the Messiah as the “precious corner stone, a sure foundation.” In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul identified Jesus Christ as this corner stone.
Ephesians 2:20-22 “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Eerdman’s Dictionary defines the cornerstone as “the stone in a new building laid first with great care and ceremony so as to ensure a straight and level foundation.” Another dictionary defines it as “An indispensable and fundamental basis.” I think both of these definitions contain the truth.
Isaiah equates the corner stone with the sure foundation. In Ephesians, Paul includes the faith of the apostles and prophets as part of the foundation, but he makes it clear that it is the cornerstone, Jesus, through Whom the building grows into a holy temple. The only other stones that carry God’s approval for use in this building are those that fit closely together because of their likeness to the cornerstone.
1Cor. 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Cor. 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
Although God has a strict building code, He has entrusted the construction of the building to His servants. As human nature proves over and over again, most of us work better with strict accountability based on constant supervision. God has delegated responsibilities and chosen to assess each person’s work at the judgment seat of Christ. (A reminder that Paul is writing to Christians, fellow believers.) Every man’s works will be tested and its quality revealed by fire. Fire is used to get rid of impurities and waste matter.
Malachi 3:2 “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap….”
Matthew 3:11-12 “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
1Cor. 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Cor. 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
The service of some believers will be revealed as valuable as gold, silver, and precious stones; they will be rewarded. Other believers will have their labors revealed as wood, hay and stubble that won’t survive the fire; they will receive no reward (suffer loss), but they will be saved. The fire is only allowed to test the works; it is not allowed to touch the individual. Salvation is a gift; it is not based on works.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
What would make one’s works not survive the fire? Wrong motives and wrong methods would be high on the list I am sure.
I think the main context of the teaching in this section is regarding the truth, the doctrine of the gospel of Christ and His teachings. The context thus allows that a person’s work be a mixture of that which is valuable and that which is impure and classified as waste. Because of the denominations that have resulted, I believe that will be true of most believers since the Reformation in particular. It’s always bothered me that we all have the same teacher, the Holy Spirit, yet there is so much division in the body of Christ as to the truth of scripture. It doesn’t reconcile in my mind. All I can do is live according to the direction and teaching of the Spirit in my life. In all my studies, I do my best to test the truth of the teaching through searching the scriptures as did the Bereans.
Acts 17:11 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
God is going to hold me accountable for how I represent Him in truth and deed, and I will not depend on someone else to tell me what that truth is. Obviously, God has used many learned people to enlighten me along the way, but it is interesting that what I have found to be truth is composed of nuggets gathered from different teachers representing different factions in the body of believers. I earnestly pray that the Holy Spirit will prevent me from leading someone astray from God’s truth. I continually pray for God to reveal the truth to me through the teaching of the Holy Spirit.
I don’t believe that the works being tested will be limited to the truth of what we proclaim, but will also include our service to others on His behalf. He who is faithful and committed to the teaching of Christ will reflect that in the way he lives. As the scripture states so many times, your actions prove your faith.
James 2:17 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
1Cor. 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Cor. 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
As I looked up the words in this verse, the word “temple” stood out to me as singular. I immediately thought of the following verse in John.
John 14:17 “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
My logic tells me that the Spirit can’t indwell the whole without indwelling every part of the whole. The interesting thought was that the emphasis was on the temple (singular) of God—not the temples (plural) of God. That would fit right in with our recent discussions on the importance of unity in the Spirit in the heart of God.
John 17:11, 21-22 “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are….That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one….”
I guess what I am trying to say is that I should be just as concerned about the whole building as I am about my piece of the building. It’s just a matter of realizing that although God is interested in me as an individual, He is just as interested in the whole body of believers. He is concerned with the quality of the whole temple, and that includes a concern for each stone that is a part of that temple. Peter words it as follows.
1Peter 2:5 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
The Spirit indwells me as a believer, but I alone do not provide His dwelling place on earth—the church as a whole provides that dwelling place. I often pray for God’s Spirit to be at home, comfortable, and happy in His temple--referencing me. I don’t think that is wrong, because Paul gets more specific in chapter 6.
1Corinthians 6:19-20 “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
If I make up a part of His temple, and I allow things in my life that grieve the Spirit and do not glorify God, then I am “defiling” (spoiling, ruining, corrupting, destroying) His temple. It’s interesting that the same Greek word is used for the words defile and destroy in verse 16.
“if any man…him shall God destroy” – This phrase is very disturbing. Paul is writing to believers. I have to remind myself that the subject has been teaching and ministry in the body of believers--the building of God’s temple. It seems simple to make the application to false teachers, but the wording of these two verses seem to be a clear warning to the believers that make up the temple.
God is and always has been concerned about His holiness and the holiness of His dwelling place being reverenced. All of the practices associated with the first tabernacle emphasized that fact. God provided a covering for man’s sins against Him through the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, and then provided the final sacrifice in the person of His Son Jesus to cover the sins of men of faith once and forever.
These are all thoughts that go through my mind as I continue to contemplate defiling God’s temple and the associated destruction. The destruction of the false teacher and unbeliever is easily understood. The consequences to the person of faith who defiles the temple by his/her sin would seem to be dependent on the matter of repentance and forgiveness. It would seem that the true believer will always come to the LORD in repentance and forgiveness. With the cleansing of forgiveness comes the restoration of holiness to the temple.
1Cor. 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
The first phrase of this verse is very pointed. We often like to point to the enemy as the great deceiver. While that may be true, we are each one very susceptible to self-deceit. We like to think we are smarter than we are and that we know more than we do. I know that I continually have to fight to keep an open mind and submissive spirit before the Lord. I continually have to be on guard when reading or studying the “wisdom” of other people in this world. They can present their case so effectively and seemingly according to God’s word if you don’t have your spiritual antennae up and are seeking the guidance of the Spirit in discerning truth. One can only find wisdom in the truth of God’s word, which is considered foolishness to this world.
1Cor. 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
1Cor. 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
It is written. Where?
Job 5:13 “He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.”
Psalm 94:11 “The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.”
“taketh” = capture, grasp, entrap
I read the section in Job to try to get a grasp on what was being said. It would seem that both of these quotes are simple statements of God’s power and wisdom as awesome compared to the futile attempts of the wisest of humans as they try to assert themselves as forces to be acknowledged on planet earth. The wisest of man’s plans can be turned by God to accomplish His own purposes, resulting in defeat of the purposes of man. There is not a thought in our head that God doesn’t know and has declared useless in thwarting His purposes.
Stedman: “I think, without a doubt, that this is the major problem in the church in America today, this tendency to function like the world around does, bringing in the ideas, the attitudes and many of the systems of the world into the church. So instead of the church challenging the world, it is the world that makes its impact upon the church. That was the problem here at Corinth.”
1Cor. 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Cor. 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
1Cor. 3:23 And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.
All of these last verses tie directly back to chapter one. Verses 19 and 20 tie directly back to verses 19 and 20 of chapter one. Verse 21 takes my thoughts back to verse 31 of chapter 1. Verses 22-23 take me back to verses 10-13 of chapter 1. It’s like Paul has brought his argument full circle.
Man has no business taking pride in himself or others (i.e., your teachers—even if Paul, Apollos or Peter). The only relationship about which we should boast is our relationship with Jesus Christ our LORD. It’s almost easier to understand when we start at the end of these verses and go backwards. Christ is God’s Son; Father and Son are One. Through faith we are in Christ and, therefore, in God. Our position in Christ declares us joint-heirs with Him and members of one body, His temple.
Romans 8:16-17 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ….”
Everything that belongs to Christ, the Son of God, belongs to us as joint-heirs with Christ. We belong to one another—we are all one body/building—teacher and student. Therefore, we should all glory in Christ.
1Cor. 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
“minister” = an under-oarsman, servant
This verse directly ties to the previous verse from the last chapter. Paul is saying that he, Peter, and Apollos are just servants of Christ, serving in positions of overseer and preacher (both from the Greek) of the “mysteries of God.” These mysteries have already been discussed in 1Corinthians 2:7; they are directly connected to God’s wisdom in sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. The “mysteries” reveal in the New Testament scriptures what had been concealed in the Old Testament scriptures.
Notice that the steward includes the ministry of preaching, teaching publicly the truth of God’s word. We are to declare God’s word boldly and without apology.
Stedman: “A minister of Christ in the New Testament churches was anyone, anyone, who by virtue of a gift of the Spirit was a preacher or a teacher of the Word of God.”
Courson: “An under-oarsman was a slave on the lowest deck of the ship who simply followed the cadence of the drummer. What does it mean to be a minister? It doesn’t mean to set the course or determine direction, but rather to simply do what the Captain of the ship, Jesus Christ, tells us to do, knowing that He will bring us to the right destination.”
1Cor. 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
The steward is a person that has supervisory responsibilities—over people and possessions. When I looked up the word required in the Greek, it was not what I expected; it referenced “to seek, endeavor, enquire about something hidden.” This makes a tighter connection to verse 1. The steward is not only an overseer and preacher, he is also a seeker of God’s truth. That same steward should also be found faithful (trustworthy, truthful) in sharing that truth.
Courson: “I’m not required to be successful—only faithful.”
1Cor. 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.
1Cor. 4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
Paul is basically saying that he is not that concerned about how men judge him; he is much more concerned about God’s judgment of him. Paul doesn’t trust the judgment of men; in fact, he doesn’t even trust his own judgment of himself. Again, I identify greatly with that feeling. That is one of the reasons I look so forward to being glorified (changed to immortality); I will no longer have to question my choices and/or motives.
Paul goes on to say that even though he may think he is completely justified and innocent in his actions and motives, especially as a teacher (in context here), he can’t really be sure. Only God knows our hearts.
1Chronicles 28:9 “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.”
1Cor. 4:5 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.
“counsel” = purpose, intention
Since men are so unreliable in their judgments, we should refrain from judging. When Jesus returns, he will reveal the truth about the actions and motives of each of His children.
At first read, it sounds like the last phrase is saying that God’s judgment of each person will result in His praise of that person’s service. I think what it means is that every man will give praise to God for judging righteously.
Courson: “This doesn’t mean that when the Lord comes back, all the dark stuff we did will be brought to light. No, the blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed us so completely that God will ‘remember no more’ our sins and iniquities….When He comes back, everything that now seems dark to us—seeming contradictions of His character seeming violations of His nature—will be seen in the light of His unspeakable glory. The result? Everyone will praise God for His wisdom and righteous in all things.”
1Cor. 4:6 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.
Paul states that he has used himself and Apollos to illustrate the truth of his teaching. He wants the people to realize that we should never equate the teaching of any man as more important than the teaching of any other man. The teaching of any man should be measured against what is written in the scripture as given to us by the Holy Spirit.
Guzik: “It used to be that something was considered Biblical if it came from the Bible; today, people say things are ‘Biblical’ if they can’t find a verse which specifically condemns it. This is to think beyond what is written.”
1Cor. 4:7 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?
Paul is trying to get the Corinthians to think, so he poses questions that should bring them to some obvious answers. Who is the one who has gifted every believer differently according to His will? God—through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Paul will expound on this question further in chapter 12.
1Corinthians 12:6-7 & 11 “And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal….But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”
If someone happens to be a better teacher than another, it is through the gifting of the Spirit; but the truth that is being taught is the same. This follows logically to the next question. Do you have any gifting or ability that wasn’t given to you? The obvious answer is—No. This leads directly into the next question. If your gifts and abilities are God-given, why are you boasting; God is the One Who should be receiving the glory; He was the One that empowered and gifted you.
1Cor. 4:8 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.
At first reading, these next few verses could be confusing, but when you get to verse 14 you realize that Paul is rebuking these believers. They were acting as if they “had arrived” spiritually. They were acting as if they were already reigning as kings with the LORD even though the apostles were obviously still hard at work as servants. In fact, the LORD wasn’t even on His earthly throne yet; so in essence, they were putting themselves above the LORD. Paul states that he wished they were reigning as kings, because that would mean that the apostles would be reigning as well. It would mean that Jesus was on the throne.
The epistle started with Paul dealing with divisions in this body of believers because of “pride” in the identity of the teacher they followed. It would seem that their attitude reflected a spiritual superiority that the teacher with whom they identified did not reflect. The teachers/apostles were still serving God and denying self according to the coming verses. Jesus taught that the disciple is not greater than his master (instructor/teacher).
Matthew 10:24-25 “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.”
The Corinthians were obviously not paying attention to the examples of their teachers.
1Cor. 4:9 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 continues to try to get the Corinthians to see the absurdity of their attitudes. Several of the translations word this as a word picture. Paul is speaking of a parade or procession at which the apostles occupy the end or last positions—positions that would result in their death. In Roman times, the “spectacle” would probably be a reference to the events at the Colosseum where criminals were made to fight as gladiators and Christians were eventually fed to the lions for the entertainment of the crowd. It could also reference the way that the Romans would line the road with crosses and publicly crucify criminals and those who were considered a threat to Roman rule.
The Greek for the word “and” also means “both.” I think verse 9 would read better to say “the world, both to angels and to men.” Paul is well aware that the spiritual forces at work in this world are also aware of and interested in the actions of mankind on this earth. The actions of men and women of faith are of special interest to both the holy and fallen angels. The holy angels are ministering spirits who rejoice at our successes, and the fallen angels rejoice when they can cause believers to stumble or can bring about their death and rid the world of their influence. I think the fallen angels don’t understand that the death of a believer that is standing firm in his/her faith in spite of the attacks of the enemy can be more powerful and effective spiritually than if that believer had continued to live and serve in their physical body. The holy angels rejoice in the victory of the believer who is faithful unto death.
Sad observation from Guzik: “Today, there is no shortage of ministers who want to display the image of worldly success and power, and no shortage of Christians who will only value that in their minister….After all, think of Paul’s resume: bounced from church to church, run out of many towns, accused of starting riots, rarely supported by the ministry, arrested and imprisoned several times. Who today would hire Paul as a pastor?”
Stedman: “‘We apostles,’ he says, ‘are pattern Christians, in effect. God has put us on exhibit in order that we might demonstrate certain things. He has exhibited us as last of all, like men sentenced to death, we have become a spectacle..." Now the word ‘spectacle’ is the word from which we get our word ‘theater’—‘We have become the theater of the world, and when you look at us you will see what the world is really like,’ he is saying. That is why the apostles are so important in the New Testament and to all the Church ever since. They are ‘pattern’ Christians. They are not, as we often imagine, super saints who live up at a level that no one else can hope to attain. They were sent out into the cruel, rough, ruthless world, the worst of all, and, like our Lord, they lived in the very teeth of reality of life in order to show us how to handle it.”
1Cor. 4:10 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.
From the attitudes of the Corinthian believers, you would think that the apostles were spiritual fools before Christ while those who professed to follow them were wise, that the apostles were spiritually weak and the Corinthians strong, that the apostles were despised and the Corinthians honored because of their testimonies. What warped thinking!
1Cor. 4:11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
1Cor. 4:12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
1Cor. 4:13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Paul paints a pretty stark picture. The apostles had no place to call home. Even at the time he was writing this letter to the Corinthians they were experiencing hunger and thirst; they had very little clothing; they were being buffeted (beaten, punished). They were in a position of working with their own hands for their own support. They blessed those who abused them; they endured persecution. When people spoke evil of them, they responded with kindness and prayer. In fact, they were being treated like offscouring (garbage, scum), like the lowest of the low.
At first it sounds like Paul is taking pride in suffering for the LORD, but that is not his intent. He is lovingly trying to get the Corinthians to open their eyes to their own spiritual condition. You can’t help but be convicted as you compare your own life to what the apostles willingly suffered as they served the LORD. I think the Corinthians were much like the church in America today. They were blessed materially and were quite learned. I’m sure they even exceeded the church in America in the use of spiritual gifts, because most of the church today denies that all the gifts are still valid. We don’t truly understand what it means to suffer want and persecution. Already the tide is turning. People who call themselves evangelical Christians have already been referred to in the media as those who just aren’t that smart. Those who believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven are considered intolerant. Those who believe that the Bible is God’s inerrant word are considered ignorant. History is being rewritten to refute our Christian roots and heritage. I believe that Christians in America are going to face persecution they never thought possible sooner rather than later if the LORD chooses to tarry.
This section also goes directly against the prosperity gospel that is so popular among the TV evangelists of today. The child of God is never promised riches on this earth. In fact, the believer is told that he will suffer tribulation and persecution.
John 16:33 “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
2Timothy 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
The believer is never told that he will never suffer want; but he is told that God is sufficient for his every need.
2Corinthians 12:9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Matthew 6:31-33 “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
1Cor. 4:14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
Paul is making clear to the Corinthians that he is not motivated with wicked or selfish purposes. He is concerned about their spiritual wellbeing. A person who is boasting in anything other than Christ is well on the way to becoming a false teacher or an unprofitable servant for the Lord. Paul looks upon these people as his spiritual children; he cares about them.
1Cor. 4:15 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.
Paul emphasizes that he is the one that brought them to the knowledge of the gospel originally. He is the one that planted the original seed of truth. Many people may lay claim to giving instruction regarding the truths of Christ, but Paul holds the unique position of being their “spiritual father.”
I thought the Greek for the word “instructors” was interesting—“a servant whose office it was to take the children to school; (by implication, (figuratively) a tutor.” An instructor is one who is performing an expected service; he is not necessarily motivated by care and concern for the student. A father, on the other hand, is deeply concerned about providing the best teaching for his children and ensuring that they know how to benefit from what they have been taught. I liked one of the definitions from Webster for “father”—“One who performs the offices of a parent by maintenance, affectionate care, counsel, or protection.” I think this definition describes Paul’s attitude toward this body of believers. Paul wanted to ensure that his spiritual children weren’t affected by the “weeds” of lies or deceptions. His concern for them was motivated by love and a desire to protect them as evidenced through his words of counsel and instruction. We will see in the next couple of verses that he also sent a trusted co-laborer, Timothy, to ensure that they had clear understanding of his counsel and instruction.
1Cor. 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
Paul was confident that his testimony was a godly example for others to imitate. He took great care to deny self and avoid actions that could be misinterpreted or seen as being contradictory to the teachings of Christ. If only we as parents were as conscientious and selfless in our attitude as was Paul before his spiritual children. In fact, the more concerned we become about being good spiritual parents, the better parent we will be in every way.
Paul makes his point more clearly, I believe, in chapter 11.
1Corinthians 11:1 "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
Paul only feels that he is worth imitating because he strives to imitate Christ.
1Cor. 4:17 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.
In an effort to be sure that the Corinthians understood his heart, Paul had sent Timothy to Corinth. Timothy became a disciple of Paul as a young man and had earned Paul’s confidence as a faithful (trustworthy) servant of the LORD. Timothy purpose was to remind the people of what Paul had taught them. The fact is emphasized that these teachings were not of Paul’s own wisdom; they were from the LORD Jesus Christ. These teachings were the truths of Christ that Paul taught in every place he ministered. Paul was consistent. I am reminded again of the verses in chapter 2, verses 2-5: “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
When I looked up the word ways in the Greek, it referenced “a road, progress, a mode or means.” This seems to be a reference to how Paul lived what he taught. Timothy could remind the people of more than the content of what Paul taught; he could remind them of how Paul lived according to his teaching.
1Cor. 4:18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
1Cor. 4:19 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.
I’ve read these verses several times and I’m still not sure exactly what they mean. Is he assuring them that they aren’t being slighted because he is sending Timothy to them first? Is he making a statement about people who think he won’t dare to come back once he learns that there are others there who can match his spiritual wits? I’m not sure. Whatever the case, Paul lets the Corinthians know that he will be coming to see them soon if the LORD so wills. After reading several translations, I would agree that he seems to be saying that he will be able to assess the spiritual maturity of those who are making such bold spiritual claims for themselves. He seems to be declaring that the power of God will be evident if they are teaching truth and their walk matches their talk.
1Cor. 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
“the kingdom of God” – What does it mean? The realm where God’s authority is honored and accepted—both in heaven and on earth. Jesus affirmed this truth when He was talking to Nicodemus.
John 3:3 & 5 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God….Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
Paul also connected the true kingdom of God to a relationship with Christ.
Romans 14:17-18 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.”
The passages in Matthew 13 and Luke 13 can be confusing until you understand that they include those “claiming” to be part of God’s Kingdom. His true Kingdom will be identified when He returns to take His throne; and, after one final purging of rebels, established for eternity at the end of the millennium.
The kingdom of God is in evidence when the power of God is reflected in the lives of those that have accepted Jesus in faith. What you say has to be supported by how you live. Your actions prove your faith. The whole book of James is written in support of that truth.
1Cor. 4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
Paul makes it very clear that he is coming to Corinth with a purpose. Their attitude will determine whether he comes in a spirit of firm correction or a spirit of love and meekness (humility, gentleness). In our vernacular, we would say, “whether he plans on coming and trying to knock some sense into them or in a spirit of gentle rebuke and correction.”
As I thought about the option Paul presented in this verse, I couldn’t help but think of how Jesus handled his disciples vs. how He handled the Pharisees in Matthew 23. So maybe the better comparison would be to say—“with fiery passion or a patient, humble spirit.”