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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 kingdom of God, so they have spiritual power (v.20-21).

 

 

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 Corinth to preach the gospel (see 1Cor. 2:1) to build the church.

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 Corinth are still judging when Paul writes this epistle.

“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 Corinth to God.

“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 Corinth see that how poor they are (see Rev. 3:17).

  “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 Rome, there was a kind of round arena at that time for nobles and common citizens to view. At the outset of the show, each warrior wrestled with his opponent. In the grand finale, men who has been condemned to death would be put into the arena to struggle with fierce and cruel beasts unto death so that visitors would be cheered.

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 Corinth. “We” refers to the apostles, and “you” refers to believers in the church at Corinth.

“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 Ephesus from verse twelve to thirteen. Paul made a living by making tents (see Acts 18:3; 20:34-35; 1Cor. 9:6, 18).

“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 Corinth (see 1Cor. 16:10), but had not mentioned the name of Timothy at the outset of the Books of Corinthians (comp. 1Cor. 1:2 and 2Cor. 1:1). Possibly, Timothy had been set out when Paul wrote this book.

“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 Corinth who were against Paul and schemed to weaken his authority of apostle (see 1Cor. 9:1-2). They accused him of inconsistency (1Cor. 1:17) and contemptible speech (2Cor. 10:10) and etc.

“As though I were not coming to you”, Paul planned to send Timothy to Corinth first, and then he went to deal with the problems in the church (see 1Cor. 3-9). Some Corinthians thought Paul dared not to go there and dared not to face with those who judged and were hostile to him (see 1Cor. 9:1-3; 2Cor. 1:17; 10:10).

 

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 kingdom of God is not in word but in power.”

   YLT: “for not in word is the reign of God, but in power?”

Literal Meaning: “for the kingdom of God is not in word”, that we have part in the kingdom of God is seen from the fact that the power of God is manifested in our daily life, not by our oral confession.

“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 kingdom of God is not sound words spoken by believers, but the power of the Spirit manifested in their life.

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 HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Mary Zhou