1 Corinthians Chapter 4 discusses the true nature of apostleship. Paul said that people should be able to see Christ within those who serve Him. They should be regarded as the people of God and those that can be trusted with the Word.
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Paul Tries to Please Only God
He said he did not care what the world had to say about him because in the end, it was only God who would judge him. He warned in 1 Corinthians Chapter 4 against judging others before the time of the Lord arrives. Only God can take out what is in the darkness and bring it to the light.
Only God Can Judge People
Paul told the Corinthians that they should not go beyond what the Word of God says. They should not puff up and become arrogant. He said they were just like everyone else and would still be judged.
Paul claimed that even if he is with Christ, he is not innocent. Yet, it is only God who can judge him rather than people. Paul talked about being an apostle and how they were cursed and blessed at the same time. They were persecuted by the world. But he said that just served to make them stronger in Christ.
Paul’s Warning about Arrogance
Paul said in 1 Corinthians Chapter 4 that he did not share these words with them to shame them, but rather to enlighten them. Paul sent Timothy, whom he loved dearly, to them in order to share the Word with them so that they too can find Christ.
Some of them, however, acted as if though Paul was not coming and they remained arrogant. He urged them to follow in his ways and leave their old lives behind. Timothy would show them how the way of life in Christ is. He asked them if they would rather him visit with a rod of discipline or with love and compassion.
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1 Corinthians 4 (King James Version)
1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?