November 26, 2023
1 Corinthians 4:14-21
“I Can’t Believe it’s not Paul”
Service Overview: The Christian faith is one of apprenticeship and imitation; imitating the faith of those whose lives reflect Christ’s, and becoming an apprentice of Christ himself.
Memory Verse for the Week:
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NIV)
Background Insights:
- There was a small but vocal group stirring things up at Corinth. (Some things that plague congregations never change!) They were arrogantly claiming that although Paul said he was coming to see them, he would never show up. Paul called them out for their arrogance in 4:6 and does so again here. A heart of pride and a spirit of arrogance often go hand in hand. A superiority complex is deadly to the family of God and cannot be allowed to go unchecked and without confrontation, as Paul makes clear in the next verse. (Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians, 98)
- (v.15) The “guardian,” to be distinguished from a “teacher,” was ordinarily a trusted slave to whom a father turned over his children (usually sons), whom the guardian was to conduct to and from school and whose conduct in general he was to oversee. This is not intended to be a putdown of their other teachers, of whom Paul has thus far spoken favorably. Rather, the metaphor intends simply to distinguish his own relationship to them from that of all others, including of course Apollos and Peter. But it also includes those within their community who are currently exercising influence, not to mention all others who ever would. Paul’s unique relationship to them was that of a “father,” and that gave him a special authority over and responsibility toward them. With this language, therefore, he is both reasserting his authority and appealing to their loyalty, which had obviously eroded in this church. (Gordon Fee, Corinthians, 201)
- (v.17) Timothy had accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey (see Acts 16:1-3) and was a key person in the growth of the early church. Timothy probably arrived in Corinth shortly after this letter (see 16:10)—the bearers of the letter possibly being Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus (see 16:17). It is clear that Timothy was not with Paul at this letter’s writing because he is not mentioned in either the greeting or the closing. Most likely Timothy was notified by Paul to travel on to Corinth from Macedonia (Acts 19:22). Timothy’s role was to remind the Corinthians of the faith they had received—the same message that Paul was teaching about Christ Jesus in all the churches. (Grant R. Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Corinthians, 63)
- Emerging from his scathing criticism of the Corinthians’ out-of-control haughtiness, Paul reaffirms his affectionate relationship with his spiritual children. (Charles R. Swindoll, Insights on 1 & 2 Corinthians, 72)
Why is Paul so hard on a church he claims to love so much?
- Because a huge part of being a good parent is discipline.
(vv. 14-15 | Job 5:17; Prov. 3:11-12; 12:1; 13:1; 13:24; 29:17; Heb. 12:11; 13:17; Titus 1:8)
The call for church unity that began in 1 Corinthians 1:10 now reaches its conclusion (4:21). Here Paul exposes his heart and bares his soul. He says, you are my children because “I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (4:15). This text comes from the heart of a father. He only wants God’s best for them. (Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians, 94)
Biblical love is not emotions or feelings, but attitudes and actions that seek the best interests of the other person, regardless of how we feel toward him. (Jerry Bridges, The Practice of Godliness, 208)
- Because discipleship entails demonstration of what is worth imitation.
(vv. 16-17 | Mat. 28:18-20; Luke 6:40; 14:27; 1 Cor. 11:1; Eph. 5:1; 2 Tim. 1:13; Heb. 13:7)
Verse 16 introduces Paul’s call to imitate him, just as a father in the ancient world regularly taught his sons a trade by modeling it as they studied under him as apprentices. Paul will repeat this call in 11:1 and qualify it: “as I follow the example of Christ.” (Craig L. Blomberg, 1 Corinthians, 123)
The good news is that making disciples is fairly easy. You simply bring people along in your spiritual journey. Making disciples is more about intentionality than technique: Discipleship means teaching others to read the Bible the way you read it, pray the way you pray, and tell people about Jesus the way you do. If you have Christian habits in your life worth imitating, you can be a disciple-maker. It doesn’t require years of training. You just teach others to follow Christ as you follow Him. (J.D. Greear, Gaining by Losing, 137)
- Because new life in Jesus means action, not just talk.
(vv. 18-21 | Mark 8:34; John 15:8; Acts 2:42; 2 Cor. 5:17; Ephesians 5:1-2; James 2:26)
Paul consistently poured out his life for those he led to faith in Christ, teaching us that ministry is not merely the transference of information. It means personal, deep, committed involvement in the lives of those to whom we minister. (Charles R. Swindoll, Insights on 1 & 2 Corinthians, 74)
The “Kingdom” refers not to the future reign of Christ but to the present reign of God in believers’ lives. (Osborne, 1 & 2 Corinthians, 64)
A disciple is literally a follower, a pupil, a learner, an apprentice. He is one who has dedicated not only to follow his master but also to become like Him. (Dann Spader, Growing a Healthy Church, 18)
Conclusion… How does a passage like this challenge us in living counter-culture?
A. By calling us to embrace godly discipline when it comes.
(Job 5:17; Prov. 3:11-12; 12:1; 22:15; 25:28; 29:17; 1 Cor. 9:27; Titus 1:8; Revelation 3:19)
This is in no way to imply that love ignores or condones sin. Love covers a multitude of sins, not all sins. At times, love requires exposure and discipline of sin for the welfare of an individual as well as the church. Love knows when to cover and when to expose for the purpose of redemption and restoration. (Alexander Strauch, Leading With Love, 170)
B. By imitating godly people in Jesus and inviting others to do the same.
(Matthew 5:14-16; 28:18-20; Luke 6:40; John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Peter 2:21)
You are to follow no man further than he follows Christ. (John Collins, A Puritan Golden Treasury, 52)
Make it a point to identify Christlike character traits in the people you allow to shape your life. Influences you cannot trace back to Christ cannot truthfully claim your commitment. (Grant R. Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Corinthians, 62)
Paul’s appeal that the Corinthians should imitate him (v. 16) is directly based upon his claim to have fathered them. The idea is that if the children want to grow into greater maturity they should observe and follow the ways of the parent. Though this exhortation strikes some modern readers as manipulative and arrogant, it is based on an unimpeachable truth about the development of character: People learn from role models. (Richard B. Hays, First Corinthians, 74)
C. By living in God’s power, not just talking about it.
(Mark 8:34; John 15:16; Acts 2:42; Rom. 14:17; Col. 3:23-24; Ja. 1:22; 2:14-26; 1 Pet. 2:21)
Being a big talker is one thing, but living by God’s power is quite another. (Grant R. Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Corinthians, 64)
A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian…and most of all, his family ought to know. (D.L. Moody)
The good that God works for in our lives is conformity to the likeness of His Son. It is not necessarily comfort or happiness but conformity to Christ in ever-increasing measure in this life and in its fullness in eternity. (Jerry Bridges, The Practice of Godliness, 120)
The one indispensable requirement for producing godly, mature Christians is godly, mature Christians. (Kevin DeYoung, Don’t Call It a Comeback, 27)
Gospel Connection…
The call of the gospel is a call to imitate and invite imitation; making disciples as we grow in becoming disciples.
(Matthew 5:14-16; 28:18-20; Mark 8:34; 1 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Timothy 1:13; Hebrews 13:7)
Whenever we share the gospel with someone and have the joy of leading him to faith in Christ, we become a “spiritual parent” in his life. This does not give us any special authority over his faith (2 Cor. 1:24), but it does create a special relationship that God can use to help him grow. The local church is God’s family for helping the newborn Christians develop. (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Wise, 67)
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.
- In what way was Paul like a father to the Corinthian church? In what way were the Corinthians like children?
- Do you have a spiritual father or mother in your life who has been an excellent example of your heavenly Father? What about this person do you find most valuable?
- If Paul had wanted to shame the Corinthians, what would he have said? What false promises does our sinful nature make when it tempts us to shame others?
- In what ways does the gospel free us from feeling shame and from shaming others?
- Why does it matter that Paul calls the Corinthians to imitate a life for Jesus that he is already living?
- Has anyone ever confronted your sin in a gentle but firm way? What made that person’s efforts to confront your sin so effective?
Quotes to note…
But to what extend [Paul] wishes them to be imitators of him, he shows elsewhere, when he adds, as he was of Christ (1 Cor. xi. 1). This limitation must always be observed, so as not to follow any man, except so far as he leads us to Christ. (John Calvin, 1 Corinthians, 173)
There is a big difference between knowing the right words and living them out. (Grant R. Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Corinthians, 64)
Progress along the road to sanctification demands that new believers have consistent, positive, mature Christian models to imitate in all aspects of daily life. This, in turn, implies that more mature Christians must make themselves accessible and transparent to younger believers around them. (Craig L. Blomberg, 1 Corinthians, 129)
Paul’s previous sarcasm had not been meant to shame these believers but to warn them because they were his beloved children in the faith. The word “warn” refers to a parental instruction given for the benefit of the children. Paul gave this warning because he wanted the Corinthians to turn from their sin, to change their arrogant behavior for service and obedience to God. (Grant R. Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Corinthians, 62)
There are three things that [necessitate] church discipline: 1. Major moral issues, 2. Major doctrinal issues and 3. Major lawlessness characterized by divisiveness. (D.A. Carson, Ocean City Bible Conference, 2018)
Church discipline is not a “witch hunt,” nor a way to be vindictive, nor even a means to justify rumors in the church. Rather, it is an orderly and honorable way to deal with alleged or well known patterns of sin. It is to be practiced with gentleness (Gal. 6:1), humility (2 Tim. 2:25), and a view towards restoration (Matt. 18:15-17; Gal. 6:1). (Mayhue Richard, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 194)
Love is not just happy smiles or pleasant words. A critical test of genuine love is whether we are willing to confront and discipline those we care for. Nothing is more difficult than disciplining a brother or sister in Christ who is trapped in sin. It is always agonizing work – messy, complicated, often unsuccessful, emotionally exhausting, and potentially divisive. This is why most church leaders avoid discipline at all costs. But that is not love. It is lack of courage and disobedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself laid down instructions for the discipline of an unrepentant believer (Matt. 18:17-18). (Alexander Strauch, Leading With Love, 152)
If we don’t have faith in and love for Christ, exhibited in a life of consistent good works, how can we expect to promote such godly qualities in the lives of others? (Charles R. Swindoll, Insights on 1 & 2 Corinthians, 75)
Churches don’t need programs so much as they need cultures of discipling, cultures where each member prioritizes the spiritual health of others. (Mark Dever, Discipling, 68)