Chapter 4
First 5 verses state how the Corinthians are to think of "us". By us, I believe Paul means the leadership of the Corinthian church. The Gifted Men in MacA's terms. Paul seems to be saying that the Corinthian membership is "judging" their leadership, and deciding who is most correct and then latching onto that clique, because that leader is "wisest". And Paul says he doesn't put any stock in that kind of judging, and he never does it to others, and doesn't even judge himself. Christ is the final judge. This is an interesting concept. Surely Paul teaches right doctrine, and believes he is right, but he knows that it is Christ at the judgment who will be the final word on his teaching - not the men of the Corinthian church.
2022 - I think the Corinthians are deciding that some men - maybe Paul, maybe Apollos - are teaching for personal gain. That too seems to be one of their criteria, one of the things they accuse the one who didn't baptize them of doing. They are tearing down some apostles, some teachers, some fathers, in order to elevate their "chosen" apostle, and elevate themselves because he is the "best" apostle. And then, they seem to be going further, and claiming that the superior teaching of that apostle has given them insight that those who follow a different apostle do not have. They are the "keepers of the truth", that these others cannot know...because their apostle didn't teach them correctly. You can imagine a few charismatic leaders - a youth minister in our terms who is so very beyond popular with the youth that the rest of the church is denigrated by them. The kind of youth minister that can split a church. Or a hugely popular assistant pastor that a good portion of the congregation decides ought to be pastor, and they begin to promote him and find fault with the current pastor. These two ideas ring true about what was going on in Corinth. And Paul is saying, you can denigrate any one of us if you care to, but your judgment of me is a very small matter, next to the judgment I will receive from Christ, whom I serve. He does not care about their slanders.
This verse, which seems to address a different matter, but is in context with the divisions set up by "loyalty" to various teachers:
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. [1Co 4:6 ESV]
Having just recently read "Scripture Alone", this seems to say that written scripture is the last word, and that nothing beyond that should be considered. MSB has one little note on the phrase "beyond what is written", and it says "God's faithful servants are to be treated with respect only within the bounds of what is scriptural. It has many xrefs - 1 Ths 5:12, 1 Titus 5:17, Heb 13:7,17. So...not based on their eloquence or flawless logic, but on what scripture actually says? This is difficult. Maybe this is again talking about teachings that are outside the Bible when these guys recruit, or even when the followers of Apollos judge the followers of Peter and so on. Who knows what all worldly criteria they could be bringing into that judgement.
It seems also to say that they are using specific teachings of these men - Apollos, Peter, Paul and so on - which they are able to comprehend in their own "wisdom" - to separate themselves from others in the church who are "less wise". This seems to be getting to the sense of it all. If Apollos was the wisest of the wise, then those who can understand his teaching are also very very wise. But if all you can understand is what Joe teaches, then you aren't really in the same category with me, and not very wise at all really. So I'm going to hang with those who are as smart as me, and you just do the best you can. This is what Paul is fighting against.
2022 - If you don't go beyond the written word, don't claim "further revelation", then you will all be equal, and no one can claim superiority. This is what further revelation is for - to claim a special place, a special insight, that elevates you above the poor slobs who have only the written word, and that was even revealed to someone else and not to you. Think Mormonism with its own special book. Islam with its own special book. This is the strategy they use. It worked in Corinth, it works still.
This sarcastic verse:
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! [1Co 4:8 ESV]
These people Paul is addressing have elevated themselves above their teachers, declared themselves all-knowing, and are now judging the teaching of the apostles. Paul says that's awesome, can we apostles be part of YOUR group now? They are elevating themselves as judges, kings even, and are building empires based on this judgement. This leaves Christ as King out completely. This is a very prideful and arrogant way to do things, and reeks of Corinthian culture.
Wow...in vss 9-13, Paul contrasts the "standard of living" of the apostles (the lower case version of apostles I think here) with that of the Corinthians. The Corinthians are healthy, wealthy, and wise. The apostles are on the road in poor health, mean clothing, working for every meal, and consider themselves ignorant. He is shaming these men in a very direct and impossible to misunderstand way.
2022 - Look at the contrasts here:
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. [1Co 4:10 ESV].
Paul is making it very clear that the charismatic leaders are not in step with the example of the apostles, who surely have authority directly from Christ. Who truly do have special revelation as part of their appointments. Just as a primary pastor is a man called of God for that purpose, and ought not to be attacked as inadequate by those not so gifted - but who claim to be wiser and more able than the one that taught them, though they do nothing he taught them.
The"building" on the foundation that all teachers do will be tried with fire. Their architecture, their design, the height and breadth, may be impressive, but fire will be the test. And if their teaching burns up, their salvation will not, and perhaps by extension those who truly believe as a result even of this teaching, will also be saved. Or maybe...the foundation never burns. But even the saved can be taught wrong doctrine. The danger is that if wrong doctrine proliferates, it prevents the teaching of Christ crucified. It makes salvation complex, and only for the strong and the wise, when that is most definitely NOT God's intention.
Paul compares the Corinthian's opinions of themselves with the opinions of the apostles about themselves. The Corinthians consider themselves wise, noble, as kings even, because of their advanced understanding. Meanwhile, Paul and Apollos and others "are fools for Christ's sake", poor, wandering, homeless, needy. Working hard. They have it so very wrong.
This verse:
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. [1Co 4:15 ESV]
A church is full of guides - other Christians, being sanctified, growing in truth and knowledge, all working together. But there are few "fathers". Paul says he is their father because he gave them the gospel. As such, they should imitate his ways, not strike off on ways of their own devising. They should look to him as an example, and not compete with each other.
2022 - Paul holds himself up as the example of how to live many times in the NT. He often urges churches to imitate him. He recounts that he doesn't take pay, doesn't ask for room and board, but supports himself. He means don't seek worldly success in any of its forms. Instead, seek to share the gospel, to convert lost to saved, to store up heavenly treasure immune to the fire. Here, he calls himself their father, and implies that they ought to try and "be like Dad". This is how he wants them to see him, not as a ruler over them so much as a loving benefactor who only wants what is best for them. Wonder where he got that idea?! If our leaders are advancing themselves (our leaders in the church) rather than the gospel or the word, then we ought to be suspicious, we ought to correct, we ought to warn. And truly, we ought to confront, difficult as that might be.
Here:
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. [1Co 4:17 ESV] Here is the tie back to the introduction where Paul says all the churches are the same, together, and one. He is telling Corinth that they are out of step with the body as a whole in their church. Timothy has come to tell them how the church is to do things, and indeed how others are doing it right as compared to how Corinth is doing things. What a job young Timothy has, trying to motivate some really wholesale changes that start with "demoting" the self-proclaimed rich and powerful in that church.
2022 - I still think I got this one right the first time. Paul is saying that there are certain things about how a church ought to do things that ought to be observed across the board at all churches. Each church does not really get to choose whether or not to let women preach - things like that. There are some universals, and Paul is urging Corinth - where they are out of step with other churches - to get back into line and stop claiming to be special. What does that say about "independent" churches, who are stand alone and not associated at all with other churches? Isn't Paul speaking specifically against that? Local autonomy in some matters, but in others, all should be the same.
2022 - This interesting verse:
20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. [1Co 4:20 ESV]. Is Paul threatening them with apostolic chastisement? Is he saying "You guys are great debaters and eloquent speakers, but I can literally physically mute you for life if I want, so when I come, we'll just see where everyone really stands". Because if he's saying that, we can't do that today. Or, is he saying that the kingdom, the word, is the power and that it is always the bottom line and it will win.
He closes the chapter asking them if they want him to come there to spank them, or to encourage them. This ties back to him saying he is their father in Christ. This gives him the authority to spank or to encourage. This too is pretty direct as to position.