TEACHING NOTES Introduction In this session we’re going to finish the first major section of First Corinthians, which is focused on division within the church. In the first four chapters of this letter, Paul is dealing with division that developed between groups of Christians who had attached themselves to certain teachers. Not only this, but these believers were also dividing the groups against each other. This is a big problem in Paul’s mind, which is why he spends four chapters dealing with it. ‌ Last Week: God’s Undivided Temple ‌ 1 Corinthians 3:1-23 ‌- A divided church is not being the church. - The church does not belong to its leaders. - The leaders belong to the church. ‌ Problem: People tend to idolize church leaders. How should we view church leaders? ‌ 1 Corinthians 4:1–2 1 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. ‌ Servants of Christ = The Greek word for “servants” here is hyperetas, which means “a helper or assistant.” The apostles did not consider themselves to be high status rulers with groupies. Jesus taught the apostles to be servants in Luke 22:25–26 “And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.” ‌ Stewards of the mysteries of God = The Greek word for “stewards” here is oikonomos, which means “a manager or administrator.” The mysteries of God refers to the Gospel message that has been revealed in Christ. The apostles were the stewards of the Gospel in that they spread the message and explained it to those who were new to the Word of God. ‌ Faithfulness is required = The Greek word for “required” here is zeteitai, which means “to seek, desire.” This phrase could be translated, “What is sought of stewards is that one be found faithful.” If you were going to hire a manager of your estate, you would seek one that will be faithful to do the job well. ‌ 1 Corinthians 4:3–4 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. ‌ A very small thing = Grk. eis elachiston - insignificant, trivial. ‌ Judged by you = Grk. anakritho hypo hymon - examine, question, judge. If you read both of Paul’s letters to Corinth, you will notice that they were not only asking questions of Paul, but they were also questioning Paul’s authority as an apostle. Paul is saying here that their judgment of him is insignificant or trivial, because “It is the Lord who judges me.” ‌ I am no thereby acquitted = Paul says that though he is not aware of any genuine charge against him, he is still humble enough to admit that he can be wrong. ‌ 1 Corinthians 4:5 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. ‌ Do not pronounce judgment before the time = The Greek word for “pronounce judgment” is krinete, which means “to make a final decision.” Paul is not saying that we should not examine or correct each other. Paul is saying that we should not make a final decision about someone and give them time to repent. The final decision will be made by the Lord when He comes. ‌ Before the Lord comes = The consistent teaching of Jesus and the apostles is that the final day of judgment will occur at the return/appearing of Christ. On that day, the Lord “will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart.” Arguing over a person’s hidden motives or trying to determine someone’s heart is useless, because we cannot know their heart. Jesus knows their heart and it will be revealed at His coming. ‌ Commendation = Grk. epainos - praise, approval, recognition. On the day of judgment, both the good and the evil will be recognized or revealed for who they truly are. ‌ 1 Corinthians 4:6–7 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? ‌ Not to go beyond what is written = There is no passage of Scripture that teaches Christians to divide between human teachers. The Corinthians were getting that idea and practice from somewhere other than Scripture. In the same way, we must not trust in ideas and practices that are not found in Scripture. Also, we must not base our doctrine and practice on teachers and theologians who lived millennia after the apostles. All of the Bible was written by prophets and apostles who were led by the Holy Spirit. We must not go beyond the Scripture. ‌ Not to be puffed up against one another = The Greek word for “puffed up” is physiousthe, which means “to be arrogant.” The root of division is pride and arrogance. It is arrogant to view oneself as elevated above another brother or sister in Christ. If there is trivial division in a church, someone is being prideful. ‌ What you have you received = The Corinthians were divided against each other and boasting about which group they had sided with. Paul is saying, “You guys didn’t know anything until you were taught.” They didn’t discover the truth on their own, like Greek philosophers would claim, but they received the truth from the apostles. ‌ 1 Corinthians 4:8 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! ‌ Without us you have become kings! = Paul is using irony and sarcasm here is show the ridiculous attitude of the Corinthians. They thought they were better than others in the Church. This attitude was likely a result of the fact that the Corinthian church was wealthy and influential. Paul wants them to realize that without the apostles they wouldn’t even be Christians. ‌ Note: The Corinthian church was known to be wealthy, but not known to be generous. Part of Paul’s missionary journeys was to raise money for the poor and persecuted Christians in Jerusalem (see Rom. 15:25-28; 1 Cor. 16:1-2). In 2 Cor. 8 we find that the poorer churches in Macedonia was giving generously, but Paul had to remind the Corinthians to give what they had pledged to give. Apparently, the wealthy churches were slow to give and the poorer churches gave willfully beyond what anyone expected. ‌ 1 Corinthians 4:9–10 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. ‌ Apostles as last of all = The Corinthians were attaching themselves to various teachers and apostles, while boasting about it. Paul wants them to realize that the apostles have the most difficult role in the Church. The apostles are ridiculed, persecuted, and constantly having to defend the truth. The apostles are the ones who are going into a new city with a new message that sounds crazy to the population. The Corinthians simply believed the apostle’s message and are trying to live it out in their own city. ‌ We are fools for Christ = The apostles were willing to live in humility for the sake of the Gospel. The Corinthians were living a wealthy life and apparently were being critical of some apostles (like Paul). In Greco-Roman culture, the rich looked down on the poor. The Corinthians were still doing this in the church. ‌ 1 Corinthians 4:11–13 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. ‌ When reviled, we bless = Paul is getting this from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Jesus taught in Matthew 5:10–12 “10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” ‌ The refuse of all things = The leaders of pagan religions in Corinth (and all Greek cities) we held in high esteem and were usually very wealthy. The leaders of the temple in Jerusalem (the Sadducees) were also extremely wealthy, powerful, and held in high esteem. But the apostles were the opposite. The world viewed the apostles with suspicion because they were not wealthy and powerful. The idea that lower class people led Christianity seemed upside-down to the world. ‌ 1 Corinthians 4:14–15 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. ‌ Not to make you ashamed = Paul is not trying to shame the Christians in Corinth. Shaming someone without purpose is ungodly and unfruitful. But strong correction is necessary to stay in the truth. Paul is correcting them because he loves them and wants them to stay faithful to Christ. ‌ Admonish = Grk. noutheton - instruct, warn, rebuke. Paul has already established that the Corinthians were acting like infants (1 Cor. 3:1). Children need constant correction while growing up. Paul loves these believers like they are his own children. Paul is trying to be a good spiritual father to them. ‌ Countless guides = Grk. myrious paidagogous - ten thousand (as metaphor for an innumerable amount) teachers/leaders. The fact that Paul mentions three teachers (Paul, Apollos, Peter) likely indicates that there were many more than three. The Corinthians were obsessing over certain teachers, but they were not growing spiritually. ‌ Not many fathers = There is a difference between a teacher and a spiritual father. While a spiritual father also teaches, he will also have a deep relationship with those he is leading. Christians need more than a teacher on a stage. We need a close relationship with someone who had lived longer and followed Christ longer who can help us live out what we are taught. ‌ 1 Corinthians 4:16–17 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. ‌ Be imitators of me = Paul will say this again in 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” The Greek word for “imitators” here is mimetai, which is the origin of the English concept of a mime. ‌ Timothy, my child in the Lord = Timothy’s name in Greek is Timotheos, which is a compound of two words: time (honor) and theos (God) — “God-honorer.” Timothy was a native of Lystra and the son of a Jewish-Christian mother and a Greek father (Acts 16:1-2). Paul was a spiritual father to Timothy and trained him to be a teacher and leader in the Church. Paul even wrote two letters to Timothy to help him stay focused and lead well. Timothy was involved in the churches of Ephesus, Corinth, Thessalonica, and Rome and even helped Paul write many of his letters. ‌ To remind you of my ways in Christ = The Corinthian church was struggling to leave their former pagan practices and fully embrace the way of Christ. So, Paul sent Timothy to continue to display Paul’s example of living for Christ. This speaks to the meaning of discipleship. A disciple learns from and imitates their teacher. This requires us to have living examples of faithfulness around us. This is also why we cannot practice our faith alone and why we must be connected to the church family. ‌ 1 Corinthians 4:18–21 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? ‌ Some are arrogant = Paul has already made this point in several ways. Groups had formed around certain teachers and each group was arrogantly thinking that they were better than the other group. ‌ As though I were not coming to you = Paul is essentially saying, “You arrogant people are acting as if I will not come get in your face!” Correction and accountability was a high value in the early church. The apostles did not hesitate to publicly correct those who were out of line. Paul is letting the Corinthians know that he is planning to come correct these problems face to face. ‌ I will find out their power = These arrogant people are all talk. Paul is going to come find out if reality matches their claims. Paul spent at least eighteen months in Corinth and displayed the power of God through teaching and miracles. So Paul is going to return for a standoff. ‌ The kingdom of God = We need to remember that the focus of the preaching of Jesus and the apostles is the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is about God’s rule and reign in the lives of those who are faithful to Him. ‌ Not in talk but in power = The kingdom of God is not merely intellectual, but is the very power of God to change lives. The Corinthians were all talk, but in reality they were still thinking and behaving like pagans. ‌ Shall I come with a rod or love and gentleness? = Paul is giving them a choice of what kind of visit he will have with them when he arrives. If they repent and correct these issues, then Paul can focus his visit on building them up. If they refuse to repent (we find out later they did not repent), then Paul will have to spend his visit correcting the church face to face. ‌ Application 1. Church leaders are servant-leaders, not leaders with servants. ‌2. Faithful churches do not go beyond the Scripture. ‌3. Faithful church leaders make great sacrifices for the kingdom. ‌4. Faithful churches practice accountability and correction. ‌ Next Week: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13. ‌