One of the worst problems in the Corinthian church was their divisions based on exalting various leaders. To combat this spirit of pride and arrogance in the Church of Corinth, Paul compares their estimate of themselves with his estimate of himself and the other apostles. They considered themselves to be kings. He considers himself to be scum. What do you consider yourself to be?
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Teaching Notes:
Kings Or Scum?
1 Corinthians 4:6-13
Intro:
Paul is drawing this first section on divisions and exalting leaders to a close. He had written chapter 3 to prevent them from exalting their leaders too highly. He wrote 4:1-5 to prevent them from esteeming them too lowly. In that section he describes them as servants and stewards of Christ whose duty it is to dispense to the other servants the mysteries of God. As a servant of Christ Paul must be trustworthy and be unconcerned about the opinion of man.
In 4:3 Paul hints that their had been some criticizing and faultfinding about his own ministry among the Corinthians. In 4:6-7 this is even more pronounced.
4:6-13 The section is dominated by 2 themes: their pride (4:6-8,10) and his weaknesses (4:9,11-13). He begins by going right to the root of the matter – their pride – which has caused them to e “puffed up” against Paul (v.6).
4:6 These things: the figure of a gardener, builder, steward. Paul had said that he and Apollos were nothing. If Paul had used the names of other Christian leaders in Corinth and said they were nothing, it would have seemed slanderous. So, he confined his humbling remarks to himself and Apollos.
Arrogant one against the other: Their arrogance was the cause of their divisions and party spirit. They were puffed up. In order to deflate the Corinthians, Paul writes vs.7.
Not to exceed what is written: it is not entirely clear what this refers to, but the reference is probably to general principles from the OT Scriptures. What are those principles? Vs. 7 spells them out.
4:7 You are not superior to anyone else. Everything you have is a gift from God. For that reason, you shouldn’t boast about your talents or accomplishments. If Paul were speaking to people today he might have said, “Who in the world do you think you are, anyway? What kind of self-delusion is it that allows you to put yourself in a position to judge another person’s servant?” How does the OT spell these principles out. It teaches us that we are created by God. As created humans, we are obviously equal to one another. As created humans, obviously everything we have has come from Him. Thus, it makes no sense for us to boast about anything we have. These believers who were of a party spirit, were starting to consider themselves as superior to others, because their party was the best, most spiritual, most enlightened
1. The Corinthians’ Estimation of Themselves: Kings (4:8,10)
A. Filled: the “already” clues us in to the fact that they were filled before the time. There is coming a time when we will be “filled” but that time is not yet. They are living comfortable and luxuriously with filled bellies.
B. Rich: again the idea of having plenty and living high on the hog. They were enriched with all wisdom and knowledge and spiritual gifts (1:5-7).
C. Kings: there is coming a day in which the saints will reign (Rev.5:10) will judge angels and the world (1Cor.6:2-3). This will take place when Christ returns. They were living like kings now! Paul adds that he wishes that they had become kings for that would mean that he would be able to reign with them, but unfortunately that time is still future. Without us: doesn’t mean “without our help”, but rather “without our having a share in it.”
D. Prudent: “in Christ” is Paul’s tacit admission that they were saved. They were lovers of wisdom, and considered themselves very prudent. Paul has already shown that the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God (3:19).
E. Strong: they possessed worldly strength and power and influence.
F. Distinguished: they were honored by those in the world. It’s interesting that Paul mentions wisdom, strength and honor for in 1Cor.1:26 he says that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble were called. Yet these were the very characteristics the Corinthians’ were attributing to themselves!
2. The Apostles’ Estimation of Themselves: Scum (4:9,11-13)
A. Spectacle: Paul says that the apostles were as “men condemned to death”; spectacles to the world , angels and men. Paul may have had in mind the idea of a Roman triumph, in which a conquering general staged a splendid parade that included not only his armies but the booty as well. At the very “end of the procession” were those captives who had been “condemned to die in the arena.” In that way they became a spectacle for all to see. Or, he may have had in mind the last bit of entertainment in the Arena where gladiators or condemned criminals were thrown to wild beasts for the amusement of the spectators. Paul is saying that we apostles are like the ones thrown to the beasts, not like the “honored” spectators in the box seats watching the show!
B. Fools For Christ’s Sake: In contrast to the “prudent in Christ” the apostles were fools. Why? They were fools in the eyes of the world. 1:18,23,27. They preached a “foolish” gospel of a crucified Christ. They had crucified man’s wisdom, and relegated themselves to only “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1Cor.2:1-2).
C. Weak: they were lacking any worldly power, strength or influence.
D. Without Honor: Although the Corinthians were honored by the world, the apostles were without any honor from the world. In fact the world hated them, just as it hated their Master.
E. Hungry and Thirsty, Poorly Clothed, Roughly Treated, Homeless: these were the privations and sufferings the apostles endured in order to do their Master’s will, as they traveled from place to place, preaching the gospel, planting churches, admonishing, exhorting, warning, encouraging, teaching, modeling.
F. Toil, Working with our Own Hands: to free men the idea of manual labor was abhorrent and beneath them. Yet, Paul wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, and sweat and “labor to the point of exhaustion” as the word “toil” indicates.
G. Reviled, Persecuted, Slandered: this is how they were treated as they sought to do their Master’s will. This is all in contrast to the Corinthians who were honored and distinguished. Yet they blessed, endured, and conciliated.
H. Scum and Dregs: these two words speak of garbage, that which is filthy and rejected. Scum and dregs are synonyms and refer to scrapings or offscourings cleaned from a dirty dish or pot and then thrown away. Paul is saying that the world treats the apostles as filthy garbage to be thrown out. Wow, what a contrast between the 2. Paul speaks this to their shame. Which group looked more like their Crucified Savior? Which one was losing their lives for Christ’s sake? Which one had taken up their cross and followed Jesus? In this long comparison and contrast Paul is showing the Corinthians that their exalted position in which they were judging him and others and exalting themselves and their favorite leaders was completely contrary to the spirit of Christ.
Personal Life Application
1. We need to make sure we never go beyond what Scripture teaches. 4:6. If we do, we are sitting ducks for wrong belief and wrong practice! Think of God’s Word as a fence encircling a ranch, and we are sheep. As long as we stay within the fence, we are safe, well fed and happy. If we go outside the fence we become easy prey for the wolves. This is true both for what you believe and what you experience. Many have embraced experiences that have no basis in the Scripture (laughing in the Spirit, barking and roaring in the Spirit, being slain in the Spirit).
2. Everything we have is a gift from God, and we can’t boast of any of it. 4:7. It is all a gift from Him! James 1:17. Our talents are from Him, our intelligence (or lack of it!), our sense of humor or lack of it, our personality, our looks, our wealth, as well as saving grace, indwelling Spirit. ALL is of Him, and all to Him be glory! Do you have a living faith in Christ? A repentant heart? An ability to teach the Word? A compassionate spirit? All we have comes from God. We should respond with gratitude and humility, giving Him glory.
3. Beware of Thinking Too Highly Of Yourself! 4:8. That’s what the Corinthians were doing. They were like the Laodiceans (Rev.3:17). Rom.12:3. Our tendency is towards an exaggerated self-importance. We are the center of our own universe. We need to humble out, and then we will be able to see ourselves clearly.
4. We Should Be Willing to Toil, Sacrifice and Suffer for the Sake of Christ: 4:9-13. Are we willing to be thought of as a fool in the world’s eyes? Are we willing to go without the necessities of life for Christ’s sake? Are we willing to take the lowest place, if only God will be glorified through us? Who do we look like more – the Corinthians or the apostles? These are hard questions aren’t they? But, this is what the apostles’ attitude was, and the more devoted to Jesus Christ we become, the more like them we will look.
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