1 Corinthians

Saturday, 31 May 2014

Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 1 Corinthians 4:18

In the previous verse, Paul noted that he was sending Timothy to those in Corinth for a reminder of his consistent message which he teaches everywhere he goes. Having said this, he already knows that “some are puffed up.” The idea, as noted previously, is that of pride. When yeast is put into dough, it causes the bread to rise, thus picturing being prideful, full of boasting, or arrogant. And some translations do use the term “arrogant,” but by doing this, the imagery is lost. It will be more especially the case as Paul will use the example of dough puffing up in chapter 5.

He then notes the reason for some being puffed up by saying it is “as though I were not coming to you.” Those who were involved in these divisions and who took the side of Apollos would certainly say, “See, he’s afraid to come himself and so he’s sending Timothy instead of coming personally.” It would then be a poke in the eye to those who claimed Paul was their man. And thus, the divisions would continue. This is why he has preempted them in his letter with this statement. He in fact has plans already to come to Corinth, but there were also other things on his plate before he could. This will be explained to them at the end of the letter in chapter 16 –

“Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” 1 Corinthians 16:5-9

Life application: An effective way of dispelling problems is to think in advance what other issues may arise and then preempt them with words of surety about the resolution to those issues. In doing this, it may completely alleviate the necessity to fix a problem that otherwise could have been avoided.

Wonderful Creator – my Lord and my God. Thank you for the unimaginable beauty you’ve given to us in this world – from sandy beaches and high mountain peaks, to trees of immense wonder and animals with such splendid diversity. There are a thousand shades of color when I look in any direction and there are tastes which delight my tongue. The smells of nature often overwhelm me with joy. Sometimes, it’s more than I can contemplate. Thank You for every wonderful blessing of life. Amen.

Friday, 30 May 2014

For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church. 1 Corinthians 4:17

“For this reason” here will explain Paul’s previous statement which said, “Therefore I urge you, imitate me.” As it was noted, Paul wasn’t trying to cause a greater division by having those at Corinth imitate him over some other apostle. Rather, he was asking them to imitate him because he was an imitator of Christ, something they lacked and wouldn’t get right unless they had a proper example.

In support of that reason, he told them he has “sent Timothy to you.” Timothy was Paul’s protégé and would fill the need of the Corinthians on Paul’s behalf. This Timothy, Paul states, “is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord.” Like those in Corinth whom Paul called his “beloved children” in verse 14, Timothy was also. Because Paul looked at all of them as sons, he felt that Timothy would be a great help in understanding what he was conveying. However, later in this letter, it still seems unsure if Timothy would actually make it to Corinth or not because he uses the word “if” concerning his travels –

“And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.” 1 Corinthians 16:10, 11

Should he make it as planned, Paul says that he “will remind you of my ways in Christ.” In other words, we can look at his petition to “imitate me” from verse 16 as a sound request because of his “ways in Christ.” Paul wasn’t trying to misdirect the Corinthians, he was trying to properly direct them. With Timothy confirming this, they could be certain that they were imitating that which was proper and their faith wouldn’t be misdirected.

In fact, their doctrine and practice would be in a manner harmonious with all of the churches which had been established because Paul claimed that his teaching was the same “as I teach everywhere in every church.” He was consistent in his proclamation of Christ, consistent in his doctrine, and determined to follow up to ensure that these things continued properly.

How nice it would be today if all seminaries taught a proper message of Christ and then occasionally stopped by to check up on the doctrine of their graduates! What we fail to do, Paul carefully and meticulously accomplished.

Life application. Discipleship is an immensely important aspect of the faith. Leading people to Christ is only the beginning of a life-long journey of discovery. If you have the necessary training to teach others what is right and sound about Christ, make an effort to impart that to those who are less informed. Paul deemed this immensely important and so should we.

My Precious Lord, You have led me all the days of my life, even when I didn’t know You were there. You’ve tended to my needs, cared for my heart, and directed my every step toward a good end. Those times I’ve erred have been used to mold me. They were times I can learn from and teach to others so they can avoid the same pitfalls. Help me to use my time wisely, assisting in this manner, correcting those who need support, and continuing to grow in You as I go. Thank You for hearing my prayer. Amen.

Thursday, 29 May 2014

Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 1 Corinthians 4:16

Paul has been speaking of divisions within the church for four chapters. Such divisions can only lead to a breakdown in harmony, infighting, and other trials. Eventually, they can ruin or completely divide a church. So one might think that Paul is actually causing a new division by his words in the previous verse (that he is a father to them) and in this verse by asking them to imitate him. Is he trying to greedily have the church follow him and not Apollos? The answer is no. His statement that he is a father to them implies that they are children to him. A father will look out for good, not evil, when guiding his children. And a father will have his own example to follow. In the case of Paul, he states his example explicitly in 1 Corinthians 11:1 by again instructing them to imitate him, while explaining why –

“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”

Paul’s example is Christ. If this is so, then asking them to imitate him is, in effect, simply learning the greater example of Christ. This is a common theme of Paul, often implied, often explicit. In Philippians 3:17, he makes it explicit again –

“Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.”

As another example, found in Ephesians 5:1 & 2, he will actually go around himself and ask them to directly imitate God –

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”

The reason for speaking this way to the Ephesians as opposed to how he speaks to the Corinthians (“imitate God” rather than “imitate me”) is that the Corinthians were carnal and not yet grounded in how to imitate God. If he were to have told them to “imitate God” as he did to those at Ephesus, they would have had nothing substantial on which to accomplish this admonition. One must first learn what God expects before imitating Him. As Paul knew what God expected, they could follow him and thus learn how to imitate God.

Paul’s words are logical, clear, and demonstrate the wisdom which God granted him in order to handle every situation in the most effective way.

Life application: How important it is for instructors, teachers, and pastors to understand what God expects before teaching others. Without being God-like in their behavior, those who are instructed by them will most likely never truly learn how to imitate God.

Lord God, give me the wise sense to act in accord with Your will and the instruction You have given us in the Bible so that I can turn around and be a proper example to those around me. If their impression of You is faulty because of me, then I have failed You. May it not be so! But rather, keep me on that straight path of Christ, never deviating from what You would desire for me in the sight of others. Amen.

Wednesday, 28 May 2014

For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 1 Corinthians 4:15

“For” is given based on the warning of the previous verse – “I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.” The reason for the warning then was that “though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, you do not have many fathers.” A father will look after his children in ways that an instructor won’t. A good example to understand this is to see the only other times that the term for “instructors” which is paidagōgous (a pedagogue) is used. In Galatians 3:24, 25, Paul uses the term twice when referring to the law –

“Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”

A pedagogue was a slave who conducted children to school and looked over the care of their schooling. In a broader sense, it is used of teachers or instructors of any general kind. This is what the law was intended to be. It was meant to lead us to the knowledge that we need more than just formal schooling, but a relationship and personal care. This is what Jesus provides us.

Paul is using this same idea in a metaphorical way about himself. Many teachers and instructors had come to Corinth, but only Paul could claim “for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” He had been the one to originally bring them the message of Christ and to plant the church at Corinth. As a father begets children, he had begotten them in Christ through his preaching ministry. And so between them in this there was a bond similar to a father for a son. He felt the same way about Onesimus when writing to his friend Philemon –

“I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains…” Philemon 1:10

Life application: Are you still familiar with the person who led you to Christ? If so, take time to write them a note or give them a call and tell them how your walk is going. There is a special bond in this that deserves an extra moment of your time. If you have lost contact with that person, lift them up in prayer today to your heavenly Father who knows exactly who they are and how to reward them.

Lord Jesus, I thank You for the person who took the time to tell me about You. The greatest moment of my life took place because of a caring heart and a few simple words. Please look after that precious soul and bless them for their efforts. And Lord, help me to step forward and to share my faith with others as well. To Your glory I pray this. Amen.

Tuesday, 27 May 2014

I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 1 Corinthians 4:14

Now, in contrast to his words which he has thus far spoken – words of irony followed by words which included examples of personal hardship and trial, Paul removes the irony and explains why he gave those striking examples by saying, “I do not write these things to shame you…” His words were not intended to degrade them, but to effect a positive change in thinking (and thus in life) in them.

His words of irony weren’t intended as a means of embarrassment, and his words about his sufferings weren’t meant to exalt him above them as if they hadn’t somehow earned a right through personal trial which he had. Instead, and even if it had this effect, they weren’t intended to shame or taunt them. Rather, he had more lofty and righteous intents in mind. In contrast to this perception, he explains, “but as my beloved children I warn you.”

He has been acting and speaking as a father would to his own children – for good, for edification, for building up and exhortation. Just as a father will use examples from his own life in an attempt to show the right path, so Paul was doing thus far. When a parent tells of their past hardships, it is in anticipation that the child will listen and think, “Oh, I can avoid that by not doing what he did.”

Whether it concerns financial mistakes, blunders during times of schooling, faults that came up in relationships, or whatever else, the parent uses personal experience, mixed with irony, to impart wisdom to his children. This is Paul’s method here and it is with a noble and heartfelt intent for his children in Christ there at Corinth.

Life application: The Bible has many notes of instruction which include examples of failure as well as success. There is also irony directed to its audience. None of these are intended to shame us in the sense that we can never measure up. Rather, they are intended as a means of getting us to think on how we can measure up. And then God gives the answer – by putting our faith and trust in Jesus Christ and living according to His instruction. That instruction is found in the Bible; read your Bible.

When I read Your word, O God, I see my own failings in the people I read about. Individuals and people groups alike all fail You again and again as I read its pages, and yet, you tenderly care for them and work to bring about a positive change in them. And then You sent Jesus who never failed. He is what all of those other trials, troubles, and shortcomings are intended to show me… even though I am like that, I can trust in the One who never failed. I can be found within Him! And then I can live for You through Him. What a marvelous God You are, to send us Jesus! Thank You and Amen.