1 Corinthians 4:8-21

1 Corinthians

4:8-21

[Intro:]

Last time we were studying Paul's first letter to the Corinthians we read Paul's instruction on how to view Christian leaders. During that time there were apostles, prophets, pastor-teachers, and evangelists. The Corinthians had begun to view these men as heroes. In their hero-worship of these men they created conflict and division in the church. Here is a quick review of the main principles found in 1 Corinthians 4:1-7:

#1 – The Corinthians have been taught how to properly view pastors and other Christian leaders. They are slaves of Christ and managers of God's Word. As managers, they are required to be trustworthy as they oversee God's interests.

#2 – Christ is the one who will examine every pastor. As a result, people are to stop spending their time thinking that they are Jesus by examining/criticizing the ministries of pastors.

#3 – Don't go beyond Scriptural standards. This causes a lot of damage in the church.

This morning we are going to finish the chapter. The Corinthians had begun to believe in a prosperity gospel. They had begun to believe that Christians should have prestige, power, and prosperity. They were dwelling in a very wealthy city and the majority of the church was still involved in the sin of their unsaved days. Paul confronts their worldly thinking head-on.

[Message:]

#1 - The mindset of the Corinthian church (8)

The Corinthians believe that they are spiritually rich and reigning like kings (8). Paul truly wishes that this were actually true, but it is not. In reality they are spiritually poor because of their pride and spiritual immaturity.

#2 - The example of the apostles (9-13)

Paul uses the apostles as an example to correct the arrogance of the Corinthians (9). The apostles are placed on display by God as last place in the world. They are displayed as men condemned to die. The apostles are a spectacle to the entire world. This is witnessed by angles and by men. This is far from what the Corinthians believed the Christian life should be. The Corinthians wanted glamorous and pain-free. Paul describes the apostles (likely the most godly men on the earth at that time) as experiencing persecution and ridicule. The word translated here as “spectacle” is the Greek word from which we get the English word “theater.” Paul is using a metaphor here to describe one of two things, he is describing: either a gladiatorial contest in the Roman arena; or the triumphal procession of a victorious Roman general. If he refers to a gladiatorial contest, the apostles were brought in to the arena to fight for their lives in front of the entire world, including angels. If he refers to the triumphal procession of a Roman general, the apostles were led as prisoners of war in front of the entire world, including angels. The picture is one of ridicule in the eyes of the world.

A - Godliness results in hardship at times (10-11; cf. 1 Pet. 1:6-11; Jas. 1:2-4)

The apostles are viewed as fools for Jesus (10). The Corinthians see themselves as wise. Paul describes the apostles as weak but the Corinthians are strong. The apostles were without honor, but the Corinthians were distinguished (honored). The contrast is striking. Even at the time of Paul writing this letter, the apostles were still hungry, thirsty, poorly clothed, roughly treated, and homeless (11). This is so different from what the Corinthians believed Christianity should be (cf. 2 Tim. 3:10-17). Why is it that the Christian experience of the Corinthians was so drastically different from that of the apostles, even though they were living in the same culture?

B - Pastors should be financially should be financially supported (12)

The apostles even worked with their own hands to support themselves (12). They were supposed to be financially supported, so they could focus on prayer, the Word of God, and teaching (1 Cor. 9:3-14). In the Old Testament the priests were to be financially supported through the giving of God's people (Num. 18:21-32). The same is to be true of pastors today. They are to be financially supported by the church whom they serve (1 Cor. 9:8-14; Gal. 6:6-10; 1 Tim. 5:17-18). The apostles blessed those who reviled them (cf. 1 Pet. 3:8-9). They endured persecution (cf. Jn. 15:18-20; 1 Pet. 2:21-25).

C - Let God have vengeance (13)

The apostles also attempted to be reconciled with those who slandered them (13; cf. 1 Pet. 2:11-17). The apostles were like the scum of the earth, the dregs of everything. The dregs are what are left in the bottom of a bottle of wine. It is the junk that you don't want to drink with the wine. The apostles being viewed as lowly was still a reality when Paul wrote.

#3 - Pure biblical teaching and life-example are essential for pastoral leadership (14-17)

Paul declares that he isn't writing these things for the purpose of shaming the Corinthians. Instead, he is writing these things to warn them as his children in the faith (14). He is concerned for their spiritual well-being. This is truly what the Bible describes as a “pastor's heart.” The Corinthians could have many teachers throughout the years, but Paul would always be their “spiritual father” because he had led them to faith in Christ (15). As a result of this, Paul urged them to imitate his life example (16). This is how believers grow in their faith. They imitate those who lead them (cf. 1 Thess. 5:12-13; Heb. 13:7, 17; 1 Pet. 5:1-4).

To ensure their follower-ship, Paul sent Timothy to Corinth (17). Timothy will remind them of how Paul conducted himself in life. He will share with them what Paul teaches in every church. They are in desperate need of pure biblical teaching and a proper life-example. They need these two things so that they may build proper on-top of their gospel-foundation.

#4 - Talk is cheap, God's power is what matters (18-21)

There were some in Corinth who were becoming arrogant because they did not believe that Paul would ever visit (18). They were attempting to undermine Paul's authority (cf. 9:1-3) by saying that he was unstable (2 Cor. 1:7) and that his ministry was unimportant (2 Cor. 10:10). Paul assures them that he will visit if God allows him to do so (19). He understood that he is a slave of Christ, not a master. When Paul visits he will discover the power of the arrogant ones, not the power of their words. God's Kingdom is characterized by power, not words (20). Paul's ministry was authenticated by God's power (1:24; 2:1-4).

Paul asks the Corinthians what they want his visit to be like (21). Do they want a gentle visit with love or a visit with the rod of correction? The tone of Paul's visit would depend on their response to his letter, which would determine their spiritual condition.

[Conclusion:]

Here are a few concluding thoughts on what was communicated through this passage of God's Word:

A – Godliness results in hardship at times.

B – Pastors should be financially should be financially supported.

C – Let God have vengeance

#3 - Pure biblical teaching and life-example are essential for pastoral leadership

#4 - Talk is cheap, God's power is what matters