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1
Corinthians Chapter Four
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Attitudes and Knowledge
that Believers Should Have Toward the Lord’s Workers
A. Believers should not judge
the Lord’s workers (v.1-5):
1. The Lord’s workers should
be responsible to the Lord (v.1-2);
2. The power of judging the Lord’s
workers lies in the Lord (v.3-5);
B. Believers should learn in
the Lord’s workers not to think beyond what is written (v.6-8):
1. Lest they should be puffed
up on behalf of one against the other (v.6-7);
2.
Lest they should regard them full and rich (v.8);
C. The Lord’s workers suffer
for the Lord (v.9-13):
1. They have been made a
spectacle to the world and are despised (v.9-10);
2. They lived in a poor
condition and were persecuted and rejected by men (v.11-13);
D. Believers should imitate
the workers of the Lord (v.14-17):
1. The Lord’s workers provide
life to believers in Christ (v.14-15).
2. One should imitate the
Lord’s workers and remember their walking and teachings (v.16-17);
E. Believers should be subject
to the power of the Lord’s workers (v.18-21):
1. Those who are puffed up
only have words but no power (v.18-19).
2. The workers of the Lord
live in the reality of the
II.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1Cor. 4:1 “Let a man so consider us,
as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
YLT: “Let a man so reckon us as officers of
Christ, and stewards of the secrets of God,”
Meaning of
Words:
“servant”: minister, officer; “consider”: esteem, impute, lay, number, reckon,
suppose, think; “steward”: a house-distributor, overseer;
Literal
Meaning: “let
a man so consider us, as servants of Christ”, the word “so” follows the
description (1Cor. 3:21-23).
“And stewards of the mysteries of
God”, “mysteries” refer to things that can not be found by the wisdom of man,
but can only known by the revelation of God to his people. Here, the mystery
specially refers to the truth of the gospel. “Stewards” refer to those who
administrate the possessions of the lords ---- they devote all their hearts and
time to serving their lords. Paul was sent to
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
responsibility entrusted by God to us is to preach the gospel to others, for
the mystery of God is the gospel.
2)
The
Scriptures also mention, “The mystery of God is Christ (Col. 2:2)”, and “the
mystery of Christ is the church (Eph. 3:4, 10)”. Therefore, the counsel and economy of God are focused on Christ
and the church. He who serves the Lord shall also seize the focal point of
service, namely, providing Christ to others so as to build His church.
3)
There
are infinite riches in the house of God. The responsibility of stewards is to
distribute the full provision in the house of God to all the children of God so
that they will be grown up and the church shall be thus built.
1Cor. 4:2 “Moreover it is required
in stewards that one be found faithful.”
YLT: “and as to the rest, it is required in
the stewards that one may be found faithful,”
Literal
Meaning: “it
is required in stewards”, it is the requirement of the lord to the stewards.
“That one be found faithful”,
“faithful”, it means that the steward has known the will of the lord and then
keeps it (see Matt. 24:45-46; 25:20-21).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
judgment of God on His servant is according to his faithfulness, not his talent
or gifts. He who can be faithful has reached the summit of the requirements of
God.
2)
The
Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and prudent bondman whom his lord has set
over his household, to give them food in season?” (Matt. 45).
1Cor. 4:3 “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. ”
YLT: “and to me it is for a very little
thing that by you I may be judged, or by man's day, but not even myself do I
judge,”
Meaning of
Words:
“judge”: question, discern, examine, search; “small”: the smallest;
Literal
Meaning: “with
me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by a human court”, the
faithful steward (v.2) does not need to care about the thoughts of others
toward him, but should seek praise and 信任 from
the Lord (see v.4-5).
“In fact, I do not even judge myself”,
Paul might think his judgment is only judgment of man and his conscience might
also be wrong (see v.4), so he does not judge himself.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
Lord’s worker should not care about the upholding and depreciation of others,
or judge the performance of his works, but should have a clear conscience
toward God, toward men and on things (Acts 24:16; Heb. 13:18).
2)
The
workers of the Lord do not need to care about the judgment of others, as long
as it has not wrong in truth. Meanwhile, they should not judge themselves.
3)
Criticism
and judgment are most hurtful to men. However, to those who are criticized or
judged, it is a good trial that can measure whether their services are before
the face of God.
4)
The
more one serves in the church, the more easily shall he be judged. When one
does not bear the words of judgment in mind, it proves that he is willing to
take up his cross and that he has indeed grown up.
5)
A
man who lives before the face of men often cares about the attitudes of others
towards him. However, a man who lives before God minds only how God judges him.
6)
The
secret of life in the church is being not affected by the criticism of others
or the conditions of one himself, but relying on God only.
1Cor. 4:4 “For I know of nothing
against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the
Lord.”
YLT: “for of nothing to myself have I been
conscious, but not in this have I been declared right -- and he who is
discerning me is the Lord:”
Meaning of
Words:
“judge”: ask, question, examine;
Literal
Meaning: “for
I know of nothing against myself”, it means that even though there is no
reprove in one’s conscience (see Job. 27:6), it can not prove he has no fault.
“Yet I am not justified by this”,
here, “being justified”, it does not mean justification of being saved, but
being justified of receiving reward. Since man’s thoughts are restricted by
many things and are not complete or just, men cannot be justified.
“But He who judges me is the Lord”,
only the judgment of the Lord is counted to be accurate and is the final
judgment.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
If
one knows of nothing against himself, it does not mean he has really nothing
against himself.
2)
Believers
should not be too confident to his feelings and thoughts, nor walk according to
what is right in his own eyes (see Deut. 12:8), for the feelings and thoughts
of men may be wrong.
3)
If
man has really known the power of the Lord ---- “He who judges me is the Lord”
---- he will be able to not care about the judgment of others, nor judge
himself (see v.3).
4)
He
who serves the Lord only regards the mind of the Lord as the standard rather
than be subdued by the mind of man.
1Cor. 4:5 “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. ”
YLT: “so, then, nothing before the time
judge ye, till the Lord may come, who will both bring to light the hidden
things of the darkness, and will manifest the counsels of the hearts, and then
the praise shall come to each from God.”
Literal
Meaning: “therefore
before the time”, “the time” refers to the time when God judges believers (see
1Cor. 3:13).
“Judge nothing until the Lord comes”,
“judge nothing”, the present tense shows that believers in the church at
“Who will both bring to light the
hidden things of darkness”, “the hidden things of darkness” refer to the
motives and works unbeknown to men. Light can manifest all the hidden things
(see Eph. 5:12-13).
“And reveal the counsels of the
hearts”, Christ judges according to not only external works but also internal
motives. Even that which man himself has not been aware of can not be hidden
before His eyes.
“Then each one's praise will come from
God”, after the judgment of the Lord, all those worthy of praise shall be
praised.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
This
verse reveals the secret that how to not judge others and how to not be angry
when being judged by others ---- when the Lord comes again, all things shall
finally come to obvious.
2)
Whether
the workers of the Lord can be praised is decided by their respective motives,
“the counsels of the hearts” and “faithful (see v.2)” or idle.
1Cor. 4:6 “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. ”
YLT: “And these things, brethren, I did
transfer to myself and to Apollos because of you, that in us ye may learn not
to think above that which hath been written, that ye may not be puffed up one
for one against the other,”
Meaning of
Words:
“transfer”: transfigure, disguise, transform; “learn”: imitate, understand; “be
puffed up”: inflate, make proud (haughty);
Literal
Meaning: “now
these things… I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos”, “these
things” refer to the parables concerning the workers of the Lord: planting and
watering, building, servants and stewards and a spectacle. “Have figuratively
transferred to myself”, to apply the parable to himself.
“That you may learn in us not to think
beyond what is written”, it might be a proverbial saying known to all at that
time. The Bible exegetes have given different explanations of this verse:
1)
Believers
should see others according to the views of the Scriptures so as not to have
high thoughts above what one should be thought (see v.7; Rom. 12:3; 1Cor. 1:31;
3:19-20).
2)
Believer
should not exalt the workers of the Lord above the teachings of the Scriptures
concerning the status of man (see Jer. 9:23-24).
3)
Believers
should see the workers of the Lord according to the scriptures of the previous
several chapters of this book so as not to think them highly (see 1Cor. 1:13;
2:1-4; 3:5-8, 22).
4)
Believers
should not add anything by the wisdom of the world (see 1Cor. 15:3-4) to the
spiritual principles that the Lord’s workers have preached to them.
“That none of you may be puffed up”,
“be puffed up” (see v.18-19; 1Cor. 5:2; 8:1; 13:1): it is an attitude of
thinking that one is better than other, for he thinks he has possessed
sufficient knowledge (see 1Cor. 8:1). It is the main reason for the divisions
in the church.
“On behalf of one against the other”,
to treat differently towards the Lord’s workers;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
pride of believers (be puffed up) always hides behind the divisions in the
church.
2)
Every
servant of the Lord has his shortcomings and features. If we imitate overmuch,
we may fall into the danger of following men.
3)
If
we imitate others over the measure of Christ on them and learn their personal
characteristics or the features of their old creature and etc, it will cause
disharmony, for things beside Christ always make men divide.
4)
Many
sects in Christianity are resulted from the overmuch adoration for some
spiritual giants.
1Cor. 4:7 “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? ”
YLT: “for who doth make thee to differ? and
what hast thou, that thou didst not receive? and if thou didst also receive,
why dost thou glory as not having received?”
Literal
Meaning: “for
who makes you differ from another?” ---- This question shall guide the eyes of
believers in the church at
“And what do you have that you did not
receive?” ---- It reveals that all that men have and all their accomplishments
are received from God.
“Now if you did indeed receive it, why
do you boast as if you had not received it? ---- Men’s boasting shows that they
are devoid of gratitude.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
All
good points of believers are received from God, so they should not boast
themselves.
2)
It
is God that makes us different from others. Therefore, all glory should be
given unto God. We should boast neither ourselves, nor any servant of God.
3)
We,
who have been saved, have received everything freely from God. Besides, the
changes of being delivered from sins of the world on us also result from the
gracious work of God. Then, ought not we to thank God with our whole hearts?
1Cor. 4:8 “You are already full! You
are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us--and indeed I could wish
you did reign, that we also might reign with you! ”
YLT: “Already ye are having been filled,
already ye were rich, apart from us ye did reign, and I would also ye did
reign, that we also with you may reign together,”
Literal
Meaning: “You
are already full! You are already rich!” ---- Paul uses the ironical tone
intentionally to make believers in the church at
“Full”, it may be their reaction to the fact that they come short in no
gift (see 1Cor. 1:7). “Rich”, it may be their reaction to the fact that in
everything they have been enriched in Him, in all word, and all knowledge (see
1Cor. 1:5).
“You have reigned as kings without
us—”, “without us”, it means they no longer need the provision and feeding of
the Lord’s workers. “Have reigned”, they do not need the guidance of the Lord’s
workers. This verse can also be explained: believers in the church at Corinth
are so proud in their wording and walking that the kingdom of God seems to have
been completely realized and they have obtained the glory of reigning with the
Lord (see 1Cor. 15:24-25).
“And indeed I could wish you did
reign”, it is what the Lord’s workers really seek that believers should really
reign in life (see Rom. 5:17).
“That we also might reign with you”,
it points that they can enjoy the fruit of their works.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Believers
may focus on the external knowledge and rich gifts, not life. However, the
Lord’s will is to let us receive more abundant life (John 10:10).
2)
Self-complacence
makes man pride and insolent.
1Cor. 4:9 “For I think that God has
displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been
made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. ”
YLT: “for I think that God did set forth us
the apostles last -- as appointed to death, because a spectacle we became to
the world, and messengers, and men;”
The
Background:
in the city of
Literal
Meaning: “for
I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last”, “last” refers to the
grand finale of a show.
“As men condemned to death”: the
characters that finally appear on the stage
“For we have been made a spectacle to
the world”, “a spectacle”, the English word “theater” derives from Greek. Here,
Paul compared the roles of the apostles with the spectacle. They were like the
grand finale of a show and were brought into the arena and fought to death.
“Both to angels and to men”, there are
two sorts of the spectators of this spectacle: one is men of the world who view
with physical eyes, and the other is angles who view with spiritual eyes. The
former sees the outward appearance, and the latter sees the inward condition.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
way of Christians’ pleasing the Lord is suffering first and glory afterwards
(see Rom. 8:17; 2Tim. 2:12).
2)
Today,
when we are still on the earth, we should not be like one who reigns (see v.8)
or even act as a tyrant, but should be like a man condemned to death and humble
and lowly, thus becoming a spectacle to the world and the angels.
3)
Every
Christian should take part in the spiritual “spectacle”. However, thank the
Lord! Since we have the Lord Jesus as our director and the Scriptures as our
play, we have strong confidence in everything.
4)
When
Christians struggle with the world, the lusts and the devil, there is audience.
We bear witness not only before the world but also before the angels. That
sisters are covered is also for the sake of angels (see 1Cor. 11:10).
1Cor. 4:10 “We are fools for Christ's
sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are
distinguished, but we are dishonored! ”
YLT: “we fools because of Christ, and ye
wise in Christ; we ailing, and ye strong; ye glorious, and we dishonoured;”
Literal
Meaning: “we
are fools for Christ's sake”, it is a kind of irony. Paul compares themselves
with believers in the church at
“But you are wise in Christ!”----
“Fool” and “wise” are comparison concerning mind.
“We are weak, but you are strong!”
---- It is a comparison concerning physical condition.
“You are distinguished, but we are
dishonored!” ---- It is a comparison concerning social status.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Those
who are spiritual are fools in the sight of the world and have no strong bodies
---- they have nothing in the world. Those who are carnal boast of things in
the world.
2)
The
power, wisdom and strength of those who have received the dealing with of the
cross have been ended. And yet the fleshly power and natural talent of those
who are unwilling to take up their crosses are still in good condition.
Therefore, they still appear to be intelligent, strong and have glory before
men.
1Cor. 4:11 “To the present hour we
both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.”
YLT: “unto the present hour we both hunger,
and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and wander about,”
Literal
Meaning: “to
the present hour we both hunger and thirst”, “to the present hour”, it means
that they often experience what are listed below. “Hunger and thirst”, it
relates to the shortage in food.
“And we are poorly clothed, and
beaten”, be scourged (see 2Cor. 11:23-27).
“And homeless”, they travelled with no
fixed abode;
1Cor. 4:12 “And we labor, working
with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;”
YLT: “and labour, working with own hands;
being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer;”
Literal
Meaning: “and
we labor, working with our own hands”, it was the description of Paul’s life
when he preached in
“Being reviled, we bless”, he who
prays for those who persecute him shows that he loves his enemies (see Matt.
5:44).
“Being persecuted, we endure”,
“endure”, take no revenge;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
We
should not revenge with an attitude of “an eye for an eye (see Matt. 5:44)” on
those who are against us, but return good for evil.
2)
We
Christians are blessed by God. Therefore, we should only bless others instead
of cursing them.
3)
What
can mostly touch the one who persecutes is that he who is persecuted returns
good for evil and responds persecutions by blessings. Many persecutors in the
history had turned to Christians because of seeing the extraordinary reactions
of those who were persecuted.
4)
“Being
reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat (see
v.13)”. We cannot do these through ourselves, but through the Lord’s life in
us.
1Cor. 4:13 “being defamed, we
entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all
things until now. ”
YLT: “being spoken evil of, we entreat; as
filth of the world we did become -- of all things an offscouring -- till now.”
Literal
Meaning: “being
defamed, we entreat”, “defame”: blaspheme, rail on, revile; “entreat”: to
encourage others with comforting words.
“Until now”, it meant that it had been so over the past years.
“We have been made as the filth of the world”, “filth” in the original
refers to the dusts and dirty things flown from the floor or the waste water
after washing the unclean pan or the rubbish rushing into the sea when washing
the ship. And the word was then figurative used to relate to those who were
disdained by all the people in the society.
“The offscouring of all things”,
“offscouring” refers to the crumbs of food that fall from the dish or pan.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
These
experiences of the apostles (see v.9-13) are exactly the practical
manifestations of Christ and the cross and their “faithfulness” (v.2) of them
as the Lord’s servants. However, what is more precious is that they are still
so “until now” (see v.11, 13). They have neither given up on half way, nor
shrunk back because of difficulties, nor come down from the cross.
2)
If
the condition of one who serves the Lord is normal and his way is right, he
will be regarded as waste in the sight of the world.
3)
Men
are all willing to walk in the way of prosperity, success and glory. However,
the way of the cross is a way that is despised, dishonored and is seen as
foolish.
1Cor. 4:14 “I do not write these
things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.”
YLT: “Not putting you to shame do I write
these things, but as my beloved children I do admonish,”
Literal
Meaning: “I…
write these things”, “these things” refer to the testimony from verse eight to
thirteen.
“Do not … to shame you”, Paul wrote
this epistle for the purpose of profiting them.
“But as my beloved children I warn
you”, to speak in the bowel of parents to children.
1Cor. 4:15 “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.”
YLT: “for if a myriad of child-conductors
ye may have in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus, through the
good news, I -- I did beget you;”
Literal
Meaning: “for
instructors in Christ”: the disciples of Christ;
“Though you might have ten thousand instructors”, “instructors” were
teachers hired by the Romans at that time to accompany and look after the
children of the master. Their responsibility is taking the children to school
and teaching them morality and attending them. Though the instructors loved the
children, their relation with the children could still not be compared with
that of the fathers with them.
“Yet you do not have many fathers”,
“instructor” focuses on the external teachings; “father” gives the provision of
the inner life.
“For in Christ Jesus I have begotten
you through the gospel”, he who preaches the gospel and brings men to the Lord
is bearing the children and is also bearing fruit (see John 15:1-8).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
gospel is the power of God to salvation, to every one that believes (Rom.
1:16). Today, if we are willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel and to
preach the gospel, we shall bear many people by the gospel.
2)
The
Lord’s worker should have the bowel of the mother and the attitude of the
father towards believers (see 1Thess. 2:7, 11).
3)
Only
those who are rich in life can be fruitful and multiply. He who is unwilling to
walk in the way of the cross cannot enter into fullness. If one covets for
fame, riches, praise and prosperity, his life must be poor. If one desires to
have full and mature life, he should be willing to endure contempt, rejection,
reproach and homelessness until he has finished the way of the cross. This is
the law of God.
1Cor. 4:16 “Therefore I urge you,
imitate me.”
YLT: “I call upon you, therefore, become ye
followers of me;”
Meaning of
Words:
“imitate”: be follower;
Literal
Meaning: Paul
sets himself an example to them in the hope that believers should learn from
His examples and teachings.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Remember
your leaders who have spoken to you the word of God; and considering the issue
of their conversation, imitate their faith (Heb. 13:7).
2)
We
should be imitators of the Lord’s workers, even as they are also of Christ
(1Cor. 11:1). Every child of God has some likeness to Christ, and we should
learn such likeness so that we will also be like Christ.
1Cor. 4:17 “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.”
YLT: “because of this I sent to you
Timotheus, who is my child, beloved and faithful in the Lord, who shall remind
you of my ways in Christ, according as everywhere in every assembly I teach.”
Literal
Meaning: “for
this reason I have sent Timothy to you”, Timothy was a young preacher, who was
brought to believe the Lord by Paul when he firstly journeyed to preach the
gospel (Acts 16:1-13). Afterwards, Timothy became an intimate fellow worker of
Paul (see 1Tim. 1:2; 2Tim. 1:2-6). Paul sent Timothy to
“Who is my beloved and faithful son in
the Lord”, Paul regarded Timothy as his son (see 1Tim. 1:2; 2Tim. 1:2). Paul
himself was faithful, and also treasured others who were faithful.
“Who will remind you of my ways in
Christ”, “my ways in Christ” refer to walking according to the life of Christ
and the will of Christ so as to manifest the image of Christ.
“As I teach everywhere in every
church”, his teachings everywhere in every church are the same without varying
from place to place.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
If
we only imitate the Christ in the servants of the Lord (see v.16) ---- “remind
you of my ways in Christ”, there will be of no difficulties, for Christ always
makes men “one”.
2)
The
preachers should not only preach the Lord’s words with their mouths, but also
set themselves as examples and have testimonies worthy of the Lord’s words
before men.
1Cor. 4:18 “Now some are puffed up,
as though I were not coming to you.”
YLT: “And as if I were not coming unto you
certain were puffed up;”
Literal
Meaning: “some
are puffed up”, “some” referred to the believers in the church at
“As though I were not coming to you”,
Paul planned to send Timothy to
1Cor. 4:19 “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.”
YLT: “but I will come quickly unto you, if
the Lord may will, and I will know not the word of those puffed up, but the
power;”
Enlightenment
in the Word: those
who are puffed up like critisim ---- the multitude of one’s words does not show
he has power. Only those who are rich in life have power and manifest the power
in their words (see Matt. 7:28-29).
1Cor. 4:20 “For the
YLT: “for not in word is the reign of God,
but in power?”
Literal
Meaning: “for
the
“But in power”, empty and senseless
words are opposite to the real power of the Holy Spirit.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
emblem of the
2)
One
who draws near God and knows God more will have more power, for the power is
from God.
1Cor. 4:21 “What do you want? Shall I
come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness? ”
YLT: “what do ye wish? with a rod shall I
come unto you, or in love, with a spirit also of meekness?”
Literal
Meaning: “what
do you want?” ---- They want how Paul treats them.
“Shall I come to you with a rod”, “rod”
means punishing the sins of the church by using the spiritual power of the
apostle.
“Or in love and a spirit of
gentleness?” ---- Obviously, the words and actions of Paul are out of the true
love to believers, not the desire of lording over them.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
How
believers work or walk will decide how shall they be treated by God in the
future ---- be punished by the righteousness of God? Or be rewarded by the love
of God?
2)
It
is better to not use the spiritual power unless it is really necessary. Those
who are subdued by love shall be more than those who are governed by power.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The
Examples of the Lord’s Workers and the Attitude that Believers Should Have
Towards Them
A.
Steward
---- be faithful ---- believers should not judge them (v.1-5);
B.
Apostle
---- suffer for the Lord ---- believers should not despise them (v.6-13);
C.
Father
---- have love and the power of discipline ---- believers should imitate and
remember (v.14-21);
The
Comparisons Between Paul and Believers in the Church at Corinth
A.
I
do not even judge myself ---- judge others (v.2);
B.
Be
despised ---- be puffed up (v.6-13);
C.
Have
power ---- have words only (v.19-21);
The
Model of the Servant of God and the Steward of Christ ---- Bear the Brands of
the Lord Jesus in His Body
A.
Men
condemned to death (v.9) ---- the Lord Jesus died on the cross for those who
were condemned;
B.
A
spectacle (v.9) ---- the Lord was shown as a public spectacle before the
praetorium of Pilate (John 19:5);
C.
Fools
(v.10) ---- that He went to the lowly cross was regarded as fool in the sight
of men;
D.
Weak
(v.10) ---- He who was crucified became weak for the sake of us (2Cor. 13:4);
E.
Be
dishonored (v.10) ---- He was a Nazarene who was despised before men (John
1:46);
F.
Hunger
(v.11) ---- He could not even eat food for the sake of serving others (Mark
3:20; 6:31);
G.
Thirst
(v.11) ---- he said besides the wall of Jacob ad on the cross, “I thirst” (John
4:8; 19:28);
H.
Be
are poorly clothed (v.11) ---- man stripped his garments and vesture and hung
on the cross (Matt. 27:35).
I.
Beaten
(v.11) ---- He was scourged (Matt. 27:26);
J.
Homeless
(v.11) ---- the Son of man has not where he may lay his head (Matt. 8:20);
K.
Labor
(v.12) ---- He went around everywhere and worked diligently;
L.
Working
with our own hands (v.12) ---- Is not this the carpenter (Mark 6:3);
M.
Being
reviled (v.12) ---- they smote Him and said many other injurious things to Him
(Luke 22:65);
N.
Being
persecuted (v.12) ---- men sought to kill him, and threw him down the precipice
(John 7:1; Luke 4:29);
O.
Being
defamed (v.13) ---- men said, “By Beelzebub the prince of the demons casts He
out demons” (Luke 11:15);
P.
The
filth of the world (v.13) ---- men answering said, “He is liable to the penalty
of death” (Matt. 26:66);
Q.
The
offscouring of all things until now (v.13) ---- they cried out, “Take away”
(John 19:15);
The
Spirit of the Father
A.
He
does not desire to shame them, but warn them (v.14).
B.
He
affects them in life, not by teachings (v.15).
C.
He
manifests the example in his walking (v.16-17).
D.
He
would rather treat the child with love and a spirit of gentleness than exercise
the power (v.21).
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou