November 19, 2023
1 Corinthians 4:1-13
“Faithfully Fruitful”
Service Overview: In Christ, we have been given “keys” to his kingdom. And with any set of keys given comes incredible responsibility. As followers of Jesus we are called to be both faithful and fruitful so that our conscience is clear before our King.
Memory Verse for the Week:
“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:5 (NIV)
Background Insights:
- With this chapter Paul concludes his appeal for unity among the Corinthian factions. He brings the discussion full circle: having begun with the wrong way to treat the apostles (overly exalting them), he now elaborates the right ways to consider them. They are faithful servants (vv. 1–5), to be judged by Scripture (vv. 6–7), unjustly suffering (vv. 8–13), even though specially related (vv. 14–21). (Craig L. Blomberg, 1 Corinthians, 119)
- A critical spirit and a condemning attitude in the church are like cancer to the human body. If they are allowed to spread, fatality may result. Paul knew this to be true, especially as it relates to ministry. The church at Corinth was still under the seduction of the world’s value systems. (Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians, 75)
- Up until this point, much of Paul’s discourse has been artfully indirect, employing metaphors and irony to provoke the Corinthians to rethink their position. In chapter 4, however, he takes off the wraps and confronts them bluntly on two points: their presumptuous judging of Paul himself (vv. 1–5) and their arrogant boasting of their own wisdom and status (vv. 6–13). (Richard B. Hays, First Corinthians, 64)
- For Paul, “what is written” usually refers to his Scripture, our Old Testament. But there is no specific verse that states, “Do not go beyond what is written,” so probably he is referring more generally to the need to remain within biblical standards and hence not become puffed up (NIV “take pride”). (Blomberg, 121)
- The word translated “servants,” hypēretēs [5257], refers to one who acts under the orders of another, specifically drawing on an image of submission to one of greater authority. The word “steward,” oikonomos [3623], etymologically refers to one who is put in charge of a household or estate. With these terms Paul illustrates both his submission to the absolute authority of Christ as well as his God-given authority as a handpicked manager of the gospel. (Charles R. Swindoll, Insights on 1 & 2 Corinthians, 69)
- This word [hypēretai] originated to describe the slaves who rowed in the lower tier of a trireme (a ship with 3 levels of oarsmen). Eventually, it came to be used of any who were in a subservient position, with emphasis on the relationship of one who served a superior. (Gordon Fee, Corinthians, 173)
What issues does Paul tackle here and why do they matter?
- Celebrity Christian culture. Because boasting about stewards is stupid.
(vv. 1-2, 6 | 1 Sam. 16:7; 2 Cor. 11:30; Gal. 6:14; Eph. 2:8 ; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 Tim. 3:1-5)
The leaders (himself, Apollos, Peter, or others) were never to be the focus of anyone’s loyalty. (Grant R. Osborne, 1 & 2 Corinthians, 55)
The key to applying this chapter lies in recognizing how Paul is correcting an imbalance in the Corinthians’ approach to leaders. (Blomberg, 1 Corinthians, 124)
The word for “servant” here is not the same as that used in 3:15. The term used here can describe the “under-rower”— the enslaved oarsman in the lowest deck of a Greek ship. However, it can also be used for various kinds of assistants, e.g. the individual who carries the weapons of a warrior. (William Baird, 1 and 2 Corinthians, 19)
- Judgmentalism. Because the only judge worth caring about is God.
(vv. 3-5, 7 | Mat. 7:1-5; Luke 6:37; John 8:7; Rom. 2:3; 2 Corinthians 5:10; James 4:11-12)
It is easier to cry against one-thousand sins of others than to kill one of your own. (John Flavel)
All human judgments not only lack God’s omniscient perspective but also remain premature (v. 5). The “appointed time” is defined as when “the Lord comes,” that is, Judgment Day. Only then will all facts be known and all the thoughts and intentions of human hearts disclosed (cf. Matt. 10:26), enabling a wholly fair evaluation of Christians’ behavior. (Craig L. Blomberg, 1 Corinthians, 120)
Self-image, the concept we have of ourselves, must begin not by looking in the mirror but by looking into the face of God. (Sam Storms, Pleasures Evermore, 164)
The Corinthian believers had expended much energy on making judgments concerning various leaders. Paul explained that God alone could judge the leaders because he alone knows the darkest secrets and private motives. (Grant R. Osborne, 1 & 2 Corinthians, 57)
The sin of judgmentalism is one of the most subtle of our “respectable” sins because it is often practiced under the guise of being zealous for what is right. It is obvious that within our conservative evangelical circle there are myriads of opinions on everything from theology to conduct to lifestyle and politics. Not only are there multiple opinions but we usually assume our opinion is correct. That’s where our trouble with judgmentalism begins. We equate our opinions with truth. (Jerry Bridges, Respectable Sins, 141)
- Kingdom character. Because humility is what leads to superiority in Christ’s kingdom.
(vv. 9-13 | Ps. 149:4; Prov. 22:4; Micah 6:8; Phil. 2:3; Col. 3:12; James 4:6, 10; 1 Peter 5:6)
I am persuaded the more light we have, the more we see our own sinfulness: the nearer we get to heaven, the more we are clothed with humility. (J.C. Ryle , Holiness, 33
Paul discovered that his spiritual strength was the result of personal weakness (2 Cor. 12:7-10). Strength that knows itself to be strength is weakness; but weakness that knows itself to be weakness [in Christ] becomes strength.
(Warren Wiersbe, Be Wise, 57)
Conclusion… How can a passage like this both offend and challenge Jesus’ followers today?
A. By challenging our proclivity to worship those gifted over and above the Giver.
(Ps. 34:2; Prov. 11:2; Is. 10:15; 1 Corinthians 4:7; Ephesians 2:8-9; James 1:17; 1 Peter 4:10)
Humility is the only acceptable posture of a person in relation to the God who gives a wide variety of gifts (v. 7a) on the basis of grace (v. 7b) and therefore alone is deserving of praise (v. 7c; cf.· 1:4-9). (David K. Lowery, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 513)
B. By calling us to judge ourselves above and beyond judging others.
(Mat. 7:1-5; Luke 6:37; John 7:24; 8:7; Rom. 2:3; 12:3; 2 Cor. 5:10; James 1:26; :11-12)
Do not then spend the strength of your zeal for your religion in censuring others. The man that is most busy in censuring others is always least employed in examining himself. (Thomas Lye, A Puritan Golden Treasury, 278)
Mere humans can never see all the evidence. Only God can. Mere humans cannot see into the dark recesses of the soul. Only God can. Mere humans cannot know why people do what they do, “the intentions of the heart.” Only God can. When we trespass into these territories that rightly belong only to God, we cross the line from righteous judgment to sinful judgmentalism. (Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians, 78)
It is tempting to judge fellow Christians, evaluating whether or not they are good followers of Christ. But only God knows a person’s heart, and he is the only one with the right to judge. Paul’s warning to the Corinthians should warn us today. We are to confront those who are sinning (see 5:12-13), but we must not judge who is a better servant for Christ. When you judge someone, you invariably consider yourself better—and that is arrogant. (Grant R. Osborne, 1 & 2 Corinthians, 58)
Gospel Connection…
If you are in Christ, you have nothing to boast about but Christ. You contributed nothing to your salvation other than the sin that made it necessary, so rejoice.
(Psalm 34:2; 2 Corinthians 10:17; 12:9; Galatians 6:14; Ephesians 2:8-9)
Men would sooner believe that the gospel is from heaven, if they saw more such effects of it upon the hearts and lives of those who profess it. The world is better able to read the nature of religion in a man’s life than in the Bible. (Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor, Chapter 2, Section 1)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- What does Paul’s correction of the Corinthians teach you about life in the church among believers?
- How can judgmentalism disguise itself under a zeal for what is right?
- How does the minister’s identity as a servant and manager shape how you view gifted teachers?
- How would you define “success” for a minister and a local church? Is there a difference between being a successful minister and a faithful minister? Why or why not?
- Why are arrogance and pride so detrimental to the church? How does grace destroy the root of our pride?
- What is dangerous about a comfortable and culturally convenient Christianity? How do you guard yourself against moving toward this type of Christianity?
Quotes to note…
The moment we imagine that we have exhaustively assessed the sin of our hearts, we have planted, watered, and harvested a crop of pride. (Jerry Wragg, Exemplary Spiritual Leadership, 43)
We must avoid extremes when it comes to evaluating men and their ministries. On the one hand, we can be so indifferent that we accept anybody who comes along. But the other extreme is to be so hypercritical that Paul himself would fail the test. It is important that we “try the spirits” (1 John 4:1–6; 2 John), but we must be careful not to grieve the Spirit as we do so. (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Wise, 61)
At the heart of the boasting at Corinth was the conviction that they were really a very successful, lively, mature and effective church. The Christians were satisfied with their spirituality, their leadership, and the general quality of their life together. They had settled down into the illusion that they had become the best they could be. They thought they had “arrived.” (David Prior, The Message of 1 Corinthians, 65)
In contrast to the Corinthians’ territorial travesty, Paul points out the lowly position of the genuine apostolic ministers, whom the world saw as weak, dishonored fools (4:10). He calls himself and other church leaders “men condemned to death” and “a spectacle to the world” (4:9). (Charles R. Swindoll, Insights on 1 & 2 Corinthians, 72)
For Paul all merely human judgments against him, be they of the Corinthians or of any others who may so judge him, are of little or no consequence whatsoever. The only judgment that counts is the final eschatological judgment administered by Christ himself. (Gordon D. Fee, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: 1 Corinthians, 161)
The posture of humility should be taken by all Christians. Paul set forth the pattern of Christ’s life to the Philippians (Phil. 2:5-11). It was marked first by humiliation and then crowned by exaltation. The Corinthians had apparently dispensed with the first half. They wanted their exaltation immediately-no more sickness, no more suffering, no more pain. This is no more possible today than it was when Paul wrote to these selfdeluded Corinthians, but nonetheless many follow in their train. (David K. Lowery, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty, 513)
The Corinthian error is an easy one to repeat. Not only do we all have normal tendencies to turn natural preferences into exclusive ones, but in our fallenness we also tend to consider ourselves “wise” enough to inform God through whom he may minister to his people. (Gordon D. Fee, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: 1 Corinthians, 155)
Faithfulness in service and humbleness of mind: These are two important characteristics of a minister of Jesus Christ. He must be willing to work and willing to suffer. It is one thing to be faithful and quite another to be popular. (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Wise, 66)