Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! (I Corinthians 4:6-8)
All the scriptures in this lesson are so humbling. In the previous lesson, Paul warned the church in Corinth Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God. (I Corinthians 4:1, 5) He continued by warning them that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
Remember, Corinth was a very wealthy area because of it's location and trading that took place there. Many of the converts had probably lived very comfortably; and then they accepted God's free gift of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, so they were probably feeling superior over some of the other converts who may not have had as much. The other problem we discussed previously is that this church was still in Corinth, in the midst of that very immoral and pagan society. Many of the converts were still trying to hold on to some of their past beliefs and behaviors, while professing to be Christians. Paul said to them, Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written.
What things did he and Apollos figuratively transfer to themselves for the church sake? For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the off scouring of all things until now. (I Corinthians 4:9-13)
My God! What an apostolic job description. How many of us would be willing to transfer to ourselves being treated that way for the church sake? Jesus warned the apostles that these things would happen to them. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:11-12) “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. ... “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. ... Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known." (Matthew 10:21-26)
"“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:9-14) Jesus warned the future apostles and disciples, and they took on the task anyway, because this gospel of the kingdom had to be preached in all the world. Therefore, Paul had to clarify to the church in Corinth, For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
Paul was letting them know, and this lesson applies to all of us who have believed, that salvation was a free gift to us from God, but it cost an immeasurable price. It costs Christ Jesus dying on a cross for our sins, Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14-15) It cost the apostles their positions in society, their possessions, their dignity and even their lives. And just as Paul was explaining to the church in Corinth, he's explaining to us also that because of Christ and the sacrifice of all who came after Him, You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you!
But we better be sure not to take that blessing for granted and be puffed up on behalf of one against the other, nor boast as if you had not received it, as if we were always living with the knowledge of the gospel and the blessings of God. If it weren't for the sacrifices of all who came before us, we too would still be lost and on our way to hell, regardless of what kind of life we were living. I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 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. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 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. (I Corinthians 4:14-17)
If we too haven't had to make sacrifices and lose certain "comforts" in life, then Paul is warning us too. We have to follow the example of Christ! If God allows us to keep our positions in society, our possessions, our "high and mighty" attitudes, and even our lives, then thanks be to God. But more than likely, we will have to give up something, certain friendships, certain jobs, certain hobbies, etc., even possessions, in order to follow Christ the way we're supposed to, based on the example of the apostles. Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness? (I Corinthians 4:18-21)
Paul concluded here by breaking it down plainly. First he explains his relationship to the church, that in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel, as my beloved children I warn you, therefore I urge you, imitate me. He desired to visit the church again, and he was saying if he came and found that they were all word but no action, he would come to you with a rod. But if he came and found them operating in power of the Holy Spirit of God, he would come in love and a spirit of gentleness.
Often times as Christians, we don't want to offend anyone or hurt anyone's feelings. Let this be a lesson to all of us, that we have to love people so much that we care more about their souls than their feelings! Just as Paul was like a surrogate father to the early churches, we have to have that same feeling of responsibility towards people we witness to. My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:11-12) He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. (Proverbs 13:24) The moral of the whole thing is, speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), but always speak the Truth!
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