The chains of carnality enslaved some of the Corinthians. They were submitting to the things of the world rather than to Christ whom they proclaimed. The divisions among them testified against them. Paul longed to hear them say, "I am of Christ" rather than "I am of Apollos" or anyone else. At the end of chapter 3 Paul told them that they didn't belong to anyone but Jesus. If they were truly in Christ, then all things were theirs. They could say, "Paul belongs to us - given to us as a gift." Apollos was also given as well as all the world, life, death, the present and all things that will come.
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)
"It is impossible to enslave, mentally or socially, a bible-reading people. The principles of the bible are the groundwork of human freedom." ? Horace Greeley
1 Corinthians 4:1-2
Since all things were theirs, Paul advised the Corinthians; and invited them to consider Apollos, Peter and himself as servants and stewards of the mysteries of God. This is an interesting dynamic. Many at Corinth apparently looked down at Paul as much as they looked up at others. Looking at Paul as a lowly servant would not have been a problem to them. In reality, they probably had more respect for their slaves and servants than the apostle.
Paul put them all under the humble heading of 'servant'; however, they were servants of Christ and charged with the stewardship of mysteries that many thought foolish. The mystery was the truth of God's gospel message. It is God's rescue story of mankind. Many in Corinth had no respect for Paul's office of apostle. This didn't bother him in the least. His calling was from God and it was to serve them. As a steward, he was to be found faithful.
When Paul said they were servants, he used the word huperetas. The word means an "under-rower" and is used to describe a slave in the lower deck of a ship called a Trireme. These ships were Roman war ships powered by 3 levels of slaves pulling oars. The under-rower rowed when he was told to row by the master; he stopped when he is told to stop. He offered no opinion on speed or direction. He didn't need to know to remain faithful and true. He acted under direction, without hesitation, and asked no questions. His job wasn't steering, it was rowing.
Paul then used the word steward. The steward managed a household, was given authority and responsibility needed to manage the affairs of the home. The steward was still a slave, but one with elevated responsibility.
1 Corinthians 4:3-5
For Paul to be a faithful steward for the Lord and as an apostle, it was his job to correct those entrusted to him. It really didn't matter if some judged him, didn't respect him or disagreed. He wasn't under their judgment and wasn't concerned about it. He wasn't trying to be disrespectful but stating the facts. He was a servant according to the call of the Lord Jesus, not to serve them and make them feel good about themselves and their attempt to live a Christian life in carnality.
Paul went so far as to say that He wouldn't even judge himself. It is so easy to misjudge, our sin nature gets in the way, pride and worldliness impede on the process. We end up evaluating our ministry according to the values of the world. In his judgment, Paul would no doubt be harder on himself than the Corinthians. However, God didn't call him to evaluate the outcome of the work, he was just called to work.
One of the difficult things as a new pastor was going to my first pastor's conference. It was like the first day at school. I didn't know anyone and felt unqualified and inadequate. I was there to learn and seek God, though. It wasn't long before someone asked me the primary question that is asked of pastors going to a conference, "How big is your church?" It's as though this question would reveal all they needed to know about you and how you led a fellowship. It is a solitary point of measure, a way of men to judge themselves by other men. For a new pastor, it was like letting a dark secret out of the box; a confession that the church I pastored was not large, did not have a staff, did not have programs and flashy outreach ministries. Although, called by God, I suddenly felt like nothing special. I was surprised at being dismissed as meaningless by some; unworthy to talk to them. However, I was not much different. I was feeling judged by them. I felt shame at admitting our church was small. It was something God used to grow me and teach me about my call and my ministry. God is my judge, not men.
Paul's conscience was clear, and that's the way it should be. He was not aware of any unfaithfulness in his life. But there is no boast in a clear conscience; unfaithfulness is always near. It is kept at bay by our diligence to serve our master, not ourself or others. He knew of nothing he had done, yet, but he wasn't vindicated in his declaration of a clear conscience. He knew his own view of himself was skewed. His entire previous life as a Pharisee proved that. The Lord is our judge. We would all do well to remember that.
Paul advised them to judge nothing before the time. This idea wasn't a foreign thought to them. They had the Isthmian games in Corinth. These were just like the Olympics and they had men sit in judgment of the contest to declare winners. To 'judge before the time' was to determine a winner before the race was over. They weren't qualified to judge before the race was over.
The race is over when the Lord comes. Then He will be the ultimate judge and see the hidden things; the intentions, motives and counsels of the heart. Paul knew his motives for judging them was with the best intentions. Yet, these men were judging Paul harshly because he stood against their worldly ways. When the real judge comes the motives will be revealed.
One of the few things an unbelieving world can point out to a Christian is that we aren't supposed to judge. When the things of faith convict their conscience, the carnal flesh fights back. They attack the messenger. In our day, they go all out to cancel you. In their judgment you aren't worthy to be heard. You should not be allowed to speak, think, or in some cases live. The ugliness of sin and the flesh really becomes visible when mankind feels qualified and compelled to judge another when they feel judged. As they judge a believer, they'll remind them they aren't supposed to judge.
Of course, we are to judge. We make judgments all day long. We evaluate when we pull out at the intersection; we judge which doctor to go to. We judge who to vote for based on the words and the fruit of the life. We judge whether the information coming to us is profitable for our life and family. Where we error is when we begin to feel qualified to judge the heart, the intentions and inner part of another human being. Paul's judgment of the Corinthians was to bring them to godliness and spiritual health; the Corinthian judgment of Paul appears as a criticism of his doctrine that made them uncomfortable in their lifestyle.
1 Corinthians 4:6-7
Paul used these figurative lessons about under-rowers and stewards so they would come to a right understanding of the apostles. It was for their sakes, so they would learn not to place their own values and judgments but to stick with what was written. Stick to scripture. When they went beyond scripture, they ended up making decisions based on the wrong value system. The evidence of this was the current state of things as Paul observed them; they were puffed up and choosing sides against each other; one chose Paul, one chose Apollos and another Cephas. They were making these decisions based on all the wrong things.
Scripture to them would have been what we call the Old Testament. All these apostles delivered scripture and the gospel message. And it wouldn't be long before Matthew's gospel account would be in circulation. In addition, Paul's writings would be copied and circulated. There was simply no excuse for making it up as they went along. We see the same thing happening today. The church in America is soft and spoiled. Many leaders have softened the message of the cross to draw a larger audience. The hard things of scripture begin to be ignored. The book of Revelation isn't taught, a blessing is lost and the hope is not conveyed. Then all of prophecy is softened so as not to offend. These are the same things the unworthy shepherds and prophets did when Judah fell away towards God's judgment. Many who call themselves a church have decided:
- To not teach creation
- Stay away from the Old Testament
- Don't talk about the cross
- Reject the book of Revelation & prophecy
Some have just set the bible down. It has become a decoration rather than the primary tool of worship and study.
Things haven't changed all that much. Those who hold to the mysteries of God stand in contrast to those who make choices:
- On appearance and appeal.
- Entertainment value
- Ability to speak well
- Comfort
- Marketing strategy – (social media presence)
- Ability to draw a crowd
- Programs – focused interest (right translation, food, music, youth, game night)
"Who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive?" Paul might have went so far as to ask, "What makes you think you are so smart?" If you truly do have a spiritual gift from God that sets you apart from another man, then you have nothing to boast about, it's a gift from God.
Do we recognize that all we have is from our heavenly Father? Every breath and heartbeat is a gift; but most of all the gift of salvation is by grace alone. These thoughts should humble us that a God so high would bless people like us. As God blessed David, he asked:
14 But who am I, and who are my people,
That we should be able to offer so willingly as this?
For all things come from You,
And of Your own we have given You.
15 For we are aliens and pilgrims before You,
As were all our fathers;
Our days on earth are as a shadow,
And without hope. (1 Chron 29:14-15)
(David's praise to God after the tribes made offerings to build the temple.)
1 Corinthians 4:8-13
Paul turns to sarcasm here (you get the feeling Paul used sarcasm frequently); not to make fun of these people but to shake them out of this comfortable little place they'd created for themselves. Here Paul is as an apostle having virtually nothing and these folks were living lives that were full and rich. They had it all and they were boasting about it. They looked down their religious nose on Paul and the others as inferior.
Paul's resume included his previous life as an elitist. Since being knocked from his horse that day, on the way to Damascus, his life was different. He seemed to be the catalysts to riot. He had been stoned, arrested and imprisoned. He had bounced from city to city and was never welcome very long; often leaving battered and bruised in the middle of the night. This man, living the life of an apostle as he was called by God, was now being looked down on by the Corinthians. Paul wasn't meeting the standard their church had established; one of being rich and full.
The apostles were as the filth of the world. The Greek word spoke of propitiation, ransom or offering. The idea would have been familiar. It described a human sacrifice; one offered so others might be cleansed. Once a year the Greeks would throw some worthless soul into the sea as a sacrifice to the god Poseidon. They believed the life of this person that was worthless in the world would bring a better life for them. Paul said that's what the apostles were; refuse, an offering made, that others might be saved. He was a sacrifice to the world, so they could grow in the Lord.
Paul went on to say they were the offscouring. This word was used to describe the worthless refuse that was left after cleaning or scraping. That which is scraped from the pot and put in the garbage disposal might come to mind. It was also used to describe this worthless person offered to better the life of another. The filth and the offscouring were things that have no value and are thrown away without thought.
The Greek words translated 'filth' and 'offscouring' were used only one time in the scriptures.
The attitude Paul was seeing was consistent with the philosophers that bent the ear of the Corinthians. The philosophers looked at the common man was the filth of the world, as having no redeeming value. They devalued those who did manual labor, especially anything involving getting dirty. They placed themselves on a pedestal and watched as all the little people flocked to them, desiring to be like them. Is it any different today as we've chose sides? The world is divided and the leaders are becoming more vocal about declaring the Christian life and values as offensive; even going so far as to say those who believe the bible aren't fit to live.
Paul didn't want their pity. And he wasn't jealous, as they may have thought. He was their spiritual father, broken hearted over his children acting out and being disrespectful. They were trampling what he taught them, disrespectful to him and what he taught. As the sarcasm switches to sadness and concern, he said, "And indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you!" He wishes it were that way. Wouldn't it be nice if it were that easy? You get saved, we gather together, celebrate, build a big church and we all live rich and happy lives and nothing ever goes wrong.
When Paul said "God has displayed us"; it means God has put them on display or exhibit. The picture that would go with this Greek word would be a parade of a conquering Roman general. Everyone comes out to the parade and there is great excitement and great pageantry. The general leads the parade and he leads his victorious armies and then the booty is behind them, then the spoils of victory are paraded. Bringing up the rear of this procession are the defeated captives who would be condemned to die in the arena. This is the apostles. They were displayed last, men condemned to death, to be fed to the lions or made sport of before all men and angels before all heaven and earth. Paul said the apostles had been made a spectacle to the world. The word for spectacle is "Theatron" in which we get the word theater. The apostles were on display for the whole world to see.
Paul's weakness and humility were on display to demonstrate the power of Jesus Christ. And instead of this church saying, "That's Paul, he's one of us. He loves the Lord. We hope we can grow to love the lord and pursue Him as well as Paul has." Instead of aspiring to a similar low position, they looked at Paul as something less than they. He wasn't good enough to be in their church. He didn't wear the right clothes, have the right friends or have any wealth.
Paul had been consistent dealing with this thought. He taught that God uses the weak and poor to shame the strong, the rich and wise. In weakness we are made strong. Those who are last will be made first. Those at the end of this worldly procession will be first in the heavenly one. None of these things make any sense or even matter when you are puffed up with pride. When you see where and how you stand as some great stronghold against all else, and you think your spirituality can't be touched by anything, then you are blinded to that truth. And humility is just a weakness and an offense.
There were vast differences between the apostles and the church of Corinth. Paul had started that church and had given them a strong foundation and started them on their way. Now, sometime later, he finds they had built something strange on that foundation. Paul didn't understand the tremendous differences and discrepancies he saw in the church. Their attitude toward him was strange and he couldn't understand where it was coming from. Paul began to show them the contrast between himself and them to see if he could bring them to an understanding of what he is trying to tell them.
1 Corinthians 4:14-17
It wasn't Paul's intention to hurt these saints in Corinth or to shame them, although shame would have been appropriate. It would have nudged them toward correction. Paul was simply trying to correct them. They were going the wrong way and continuing on was dangerous. They were holding too tightly to the ways or the world and they would end up being wooed back into the world if they weren't careful.
Paul felt responsible for the Church of Corinth. He is the one who brought the gospel message to them and planted the church. Paul was careful here, making sure he wasn't perceived as having done anything from his own will or power. In his previous arguments, he included himself with the apostles. He included Apollos and Cephas alongside himself. But now, he steps away from that because alone was their spiritual father. They were born again under his care and ministry as he was working in his calling.
The word translated 'instructors' (guardians -NIV) describes the one who took a child to school and was responsible for their safety. It's probably intended to speak of those teaching and ministering to them in the gospel. Teachers come and teachers go but they would only have one spiritual father. Since he is the one that the Lord worked through to bring the message to them. Why would they not now listen to what he was saying? Paul's gospel message was received by them in the beginning. They perceived it and believed it and found it good for them but now they chose to ignore his message and look down on him as inferior. They had incorrectly grown to some religious snobbery.
Paul invited them to imitate him. I always looked up to my father. When I was young, I would wake up while he was getting ready for work. I watched him shave and put on his tie and drink his coffee. After he left for work, I often pretended to be like him, shaving and putting on a tie and I'd drink what was left in his coffee cup (which was mostly sugar). This is normal, nearly every child looks up to their father in some way. Paul is trying to tap into that idea. He sent Timothy to them who would have reminded them of Paul. Timothy was Paul's spiritual offspring so his ways looked just like Paul's ways. Timothy was a good example of what these leaders in the church of Corinth needed to be. Like father, like son. Timothy was the example for these prodigal sons.
However, the Corinthians already looked down on Paul. They saw him as weak and dishonored; hungry; thirsty poorly clothed; beaten; homeless; and among those who work hard with their hands. They had to be saying," No thanks, I kind of like it the way it is."
1 Corinthians 4:18
Some of these puffed-up leaders thought Paul was scared to come to them. They thought this meek and lowly Paul would stay away. In their arrogance they had disrespected their spiritual father as if they had outgrown him; as if what they received didn't come from him but something they did themselves.
A father figure in this culture was considered gentler than the mother. However, the father used the rod of discipline. It was his role to be stern and uncompromising with the principals he taught his child. Paul was planning on coming to them if God allowed him. He would come stern and uncompromising with the Rod if they so desired it that way. His preference was to come in a spirit of gentleness. It was up to them.
He said he would know the power when he got there. All their words and rhetoric and judgments were meaningless and he had no patience for them. Paul was essentially telling them, "Talk is cheap." It would be very clear to him what means they are operating under. Would he find those ministering in the power of Jesus Christ by way of the Holy Spirit in their life? Or, would he find men, puffed up with pride and leading with high sounding words of the foolish.
Paul's boldness surely rocked these men back on their heels. They were going to have to deal with the man they had been badmouthing. They would have to look him in the eye and hear truth and engage with him. Rejecting Paul's authority as an apostle and because of his life circumstances in his absence was one thing. But rejecting those things and the power of God through the authority and word of Jesus Christ while standing face to face with him would be, as they say, a horse of a different color.
Would they stand before Paul and make the accusations and put him down? It would be a test of their arrogance and pride. If their pride stood against Paul, it would be an indication of how dire their circumstances of Corinth really were.
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
"God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5)
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15)
To surrender your life, and give it away as Jesus directs through His Holy Spirit, is to display a life that has found hope far beyond this life, far beyond fleshly comfort, far beyond the wealth and wisdom of this world.
©2006, 2010, 2016, 2022 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater
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