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i corinthians 4
Haystack bible commentary"Stacks and stacks of commentary...."
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==I Corinthians 4:1-2:
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Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
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 Amy Carmichael
“There have been times of late when I have had to hold on to one text with all my might: "It is required in stewards that a man may be found faithful." Praise God, it does not say "successful.”
― Amy Wilson-Carmichael Things as they Are |
==I Corinthians 4:2:
Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
==I Corinthians 4:3-6:
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But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 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. 6 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. |
Paul instructs the church to learn from the example of the apostles' humble service to avoid becoming arrogant and divided over loyalty to leaders, learning instead from the written word of God to stay grounded in humility.
Paul states it is a "very small thing" to be judged by other people or human courts, and he does not even judge himself for his own actions, acknowledging that a clear conscience doesn't mean perfect justification. The passage asserts that only the Lord can truly judge, as He alone can reveal hidden things and the true motives of the heart. The ultimate judgment is to occur when the Lord comes, at which point "each one's praise will come from God". Paul applies these principles to himself and Apollos for the benefit of the Corinthians, so they can "learn not to go beyond what is written". By following this principle, the Corinthians will avoid arrogance and division, not "puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other". 1 Corinthians 4:3-6 teaches that believers should not usurp God's role by judging human leaders prematurely. Instead, they should focus on humility, recognize that all things are ultimately known to God, and avoid creating divisions based on loyalty to specific ministers. |
==I Corinthians 4:7:
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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?
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Theologically man has no rights as he stands before God. All that he has is of grace, sovereign grace. Both man and his world are the creation of the triune God. No man is born into an empty world; we are all born heirs of our history, and we inherit the riches and the devastation of our forbears. We are what we are by the grace and the providence of God. Peter says that life itself is a grace, a gift of God (I Peter 3:7). We are not the authors of life, nor the determiners of the conditions thereof. Life is a grace, a gift from God, and, for better or worse, we are all heirs. Our inheritance is often a marred one because of sin, but, all the same, we are heirs, redeemed or unredeemed,
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==I Corinthians 4:8-13:
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“You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you. For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.”
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Is Paul’s language ironic here? Absolutely. Was it hurtful? Intentionally so. Yet, because his intent was to lead the stubborn Corinthians to the truth, it can still be considered loving. In fact, Paul followed this passage with, “I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children” (1 Corinthians 4:14).
The Corinthians would not have considered Paul’s language intentionally cruel. Instead, they would have recognized Paul was using rhetoric to make a point. The Corinthians felt superior to Paul, casting judgment on him. So he calls them spiritual kings and says, ironically, that God considers His apostles “scum” and “dregs.” The passage sounds sarcastic. It says one thing while meaning another in a way that makes the hearers look foolish. But Paul’s method was not meant as a personal insult. The goal was to grab the readers’ attention and correct a false way of thinking. In other words, Paul’s words are satirical, but not sarcastic. They are spoken in love to “beloved children.” Other passages in the Bible that use satire include Isaiah’s ridicule of idol-makers (Isaiah 40:19-20), God’s taunting of Egypt (Jeremiah 46:11), and Elijah’s gibes directed at the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:27). Jesus Himself used satire in the form of hyperbole when He told His hearers to “take the plank out of your own eye” (Matthew 7:5). Therefore, we can say that irony is fine; irony is a figure of speech that can bring attention and clarity to a situation. Sometimes, irony can be painful because the truth it reveals is convicting. Satire, which uses irony to gently deride and prompt needful change, can be appropriate on occasion; we have examples of satire in Scripture. -Got Questions |
The only reason they may not be true of us who call ourselves ministers of the gospel is not that Paul forgot or misunderstood the exact truth of them, but that we are too cautious and concerned about our own desires to allow ourselves to become the refuse or “filth of the world.” “Fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ…” (Colossians 1:24) is not the result of the holiness of sanctification, but the evidence of consecration— being “separated to the gospel of God…” (Romans 1:1). “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you…” (1 Peter 4:12). If we do think the things we encounter are strange, it is because we are fearful and cowardly. We pay such close attention to our own interests and desires that we stay out of the mire and say, “I won’t submit; I won’t bow or bend.” And you don’t have to— you can be saved by the “skin of your teeth” if you like. You can refuse to let God count you as one who is “separated to the gospel….” Or you can say, “I don’t care if I am treated like ‘the filth of the world’ as long as the gospel is proclaimed.” A true servant of Jesus Christ is one who is willing to experience martyrdom for the reality of the gospel of God. When a moral person is confronted with contempt, immorality, disloyalty, or dishonesty, he is so repulsed by the offense that he turns away and in despair closes his heart to the offender. But the miracle of the redemptive reality of God is that the worst and the vilest offender can never exhaust the depths of His love. Paul did not say that God separated him to show what a wonderful man He could make of him, but “to reveal His Son in me…” (Galatians 1:16).
==I Corinthians 4:14-16:
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I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.
15 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. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me. |
Paul addresses the Corinthian Christians not as a scolding teacher but as their spiritual father, using his unique relationship with them to warn and correct their behavior. He reminds them that he brought them the gospel and urges them to imitate his example.
Paul clarifies that his harsh words are not intended to humiliate the Corinthians but to admonish them out of genuine love. He uses the image of a loving father warning his children of spiritual danger, demonstrating his deep care for their well-being. Paul reminds the Corinthians that while they may have "countless guides" or "instructors," they have only one spiritual father—Paul himself. "Instructors" refers to the hired slaves in Greco-Roman culture who oversaw the education and moral upbringing of a child but did not share a parental bond. "Father" emphasizes his unique role in their lives, as he was the one who first shared the gospel and led them to Christ. His authority comes not from a position of superiority but from a relationship of love and spiritual guidance. Because of this special, fatherly relationship, Paul encourages them to follow his example. He doesn't just teach them what to believe, but also how to live out that faith in humility and service. Paul was writing to correct the Corinthians' prideful and arrogant attitudes, as they had become divided over loyalties to various Christian leaders. They were focused on outward status and reputation, rather than the humble reality of the gospel. Paul's warning is directed at the undue influence of "instructors" or false teachers who had challenged his apostolic authority. By emphasizing his role as their spiritual father, he reasserts his unique relationship and right to correct their behavior. The passage serves as a reminder that spiritual authority in the church is rooted not in rhetoric or reputation, but in the love, sacrifice, and gospel foundation that forms a genuine spiritual family. |
==I Corinthians 4:17:
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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.
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Charles Hodges - Romans 14:17, “The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”—which is equivalent to saying that true religion does not consist in external observances, but in inner graces. This is the form of the idea that seems best suited to the passage before us. “God’s reign—His dominion in the heart or in true religion—does not consist in professions but in reality.”
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==I Corinthians 4:18-20:
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Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.
19 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. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness? |
Those among the Corinthian Christians who loved high-sounding words and their successful image had their own word, but Paul had the true power of the gospel. The final test of wisdom is power; the word of the cross not only has the power to mentally illumine, but also to morally save.
“power.”δυνάμειForce (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself) |
Whenever the gospel is effectual, it comes not in word only, but also in power, by the Holy Spirit, quickening dead sinners, delivering persons from the slavery of sin and Satan, renewing them both inwardly and outwardly, and comforting, strengthening, and establishing the saints, which cannot be done by the persuasive language of men, but by the power of God. And it is a happy temper, to have the spirit of love and meekness bear the rule, yet to maintain just authority. [Matthew Henry]
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"For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." 2 Peter 1:16.
2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self discipline. Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 1 Corinthians 12:3 So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. |
This is a central principle of great importance. Faith that does not result in right living may have many words to support it, but it will have no power. A person’s true spiritual character is not determined by the impressiveness of his words but by the power of his life -MacArthur
In context, Paul was explaining to the Corinthians that the false teachers leading them astray were “all talk.” On the other hand, he had sent Timothy to them on a personal, pastoral visit, and soon Paul would coming himself. Then the congregants in Corinth would see the difference. Paul’s words and even his letters were not the ultimate measure of his ministry. It was the “power” of Christ in him that shone through his personal presence, his pastoral care, and his involvement in their lives that would prove the difference. That would certainly involve words, but so much more. In the passage, he describes himself as their spiritual “father” (4:14-16), a vocation that goes far beyond speaking — all the way to love. -Internet Monk
==I Corinthians 4:21:
What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?