This morning I began my day with 1 Corinthians 4. As I read it, I could not help but consider the current self-quarantine that we are all dealing with today. Paul wrote the letter to the Corinthians to address some serious issues of discipline and sound council. As I was reading this chapter, it seemed that the Corinthians were not following any real example. Instead, they seemed to put their spin on it.
The coronavirus has forced us to quarantine, and that has led to some isolation. There has been an absence of fellowship that we are used to sharing, like Sunday Services and Small Groups. If we are not careful we could fall into the same trap that plagued the Corinthians.
Without focusing on a Godly example, the Corinthians found themselves focusing on worldly standards and wisdom. Given the twenty-four-hour news cycle that we face, this chapter just was a potent dose of reality I needed this morning. Without the fellowship with other believers and easy access to my mentors in the faith to help guide me, I need to keep my focus on God’s Word as my example, and follow what Paul and others demonstrated in God’s Word.
A Biblical World View
The first warning I saw in chapter four was in the form of holding the Church together. I have a habit of going back a paragraph or two before a chapter break to help with context. Today that took me back to 3:18 and led me through 4:2
1 Corinthians 3:18 – 4:2 (ESV)
18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
The Ministry of Apostles
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.
As I read and reread this passage in my mind, it was clear that Paul wanted unity in the Church and no one person above another. He even went so far as to call out the three Apostles that he had mentioned in the beginning of this letter to make sure the Corinthians knew that all were on the same footing. He desired a Biblical world view, not one based on the wisdom of man.
No One Above Another
In those passages, 1 Corinthians 3:18 – 4:2 (ESV), Paul reminds the Church that worldly wisdom is foolish in God’s eyes. There is nothing to be gained by it. He reminded in no uncertain terms, “let no one boast in men.”
I like verse eighteen in chapter three. I think Paul spells it out pretty well there.
1 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)
18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
Verse eighteen is so powerful. Paul reminds me that the wisdom of the world, that I once regarded so important, was of no value. I was a new creature in Christ Jesus, humbled by all he had given me. It puts me in mind of a passage in Colossians.
Colossians 3:9-11 (ESV)
9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Paul more than once has had to remind the Church that we are all one in Christ Jesus. Each of us serves a purpose.
Pride and Division
The Corinth Church had taken to throwing their support behind men rather then Christ Jesus. Paul’s opening remarks referred to this division.
1 Corinthians 1:10-12 (ESV)
10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”
In that first chapter, he reminded them that the truth of the Gospel did not come from man but God. He reminded them that Christ Jesus died for their sins.
In chapter four he added to this in verses six through seven.
1 Corinthians 4:6-7 (ESV)
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?
I am humbled by Paul’s stance with the Church at Corinth. These verses force me to do some self examination, for I am nothing without God and all that I have came from Him…
Reflection
Paul continues with his discipline in verses eight through thirteen. It is almost like the comments to the Church of Laodicea in Revelation three. I can hear the frustration in his words.
1 Corinthians 4:8-13 (ESV)
8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
I would bet that some took the opening words initially as a compliment, missing the sarcasm. But I would find it hard to believe it took long to realize that Paul was very frustrated with the Church at Corinth. But that puts me in mind of another verse from revelation.
Revelation 3:19 (ESV)
19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
As frustrated as he was, he had no desire to embarrass them.
Admonishment
Paul closes this teaching with the Church with a firm hand but in love. Sometimes it is easy to treat the truth of the Gospel lightly when in truth, it is a matter of life or death, and in that Paul has a passion that never wavers. I think his best example is in Romans 9.
Romans 9:1-3 (ESV)
1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.
He would give up his own salvation to save his kinsmen, (fellow Israelites). How could we expect him not to be passionate when admonishing us. How can we be any less passionate?
Corinthians 4:14-21 is the reminder I need.
1 Corinthians 4:14-21 (ESV)
14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every Church. 18 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
I read these few verses, and I see this quarantine that we deal with today. We are a bit isolated. We do not have access to our mentors or the fellowship we are so used to having. We also are not sharing with others as we might.
I cannot speak for everyone, but I tend to stay home and not get out nor do I talk much on the phone. The phone is not my strong suit; I do better face to face. So I need to be diligent in study and prayer… and I am not always as diligent as I should be.
Closing Thoughts
This chapter has helped me put some things in perspective. It is easy to be distracted in a world with a 24-hour news cycle that rants on about the end of society. It is amazing how that machine can so impact people without a biblical world view that they empty the grocery stores of toilet paper and cleaning supplies.
The challenging part is that we can easily lose our support system within the church body if we are not careful, and that can push us to the same worries and concerns as the world. But we have the tools to avoid that.
We have God’s Word, and in it is guidance filled with the example of right living, putting faith in Jesus. In it are examples like Paul, Peter, James, John, and others from both the old and new testaments… and do not forget the Psalms and Proverbs.
We also have the phone and email and text if we need help. I don’t mind taking a call if you do not mind my stuttering or loss of words. I will pray with you too, again if you do not mind my struggle with speech… I get there it just sometimes takes a while. God is patient and true.
I guess today I just needed to take the time to remind myself of these things. It is easy to drift a bit if we lose sight of the shore. But God is ever faithful.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for Your Word. I am filled with joy over the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who helps me navigate its pages and gain the understanding that I need for each day. Help us, Lord, through our days that we may not lose sight of the shore and that we might follow the example laid out in your Holy Word. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
