College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
1 Corinthians 4 - Introduction
Butler's Comments
Chapter Four
THE PROBLEM OF FAVORITISM AND CONCEIT
IDEAS TO INVESTIGATE:
1.
Why would Paul emphasize trustworthiness and then tell these Corinthians not to judge one another?
2.
Does the admonition against favoring one another mean Christians should not feel closer to some brethren than to others?
3.
What is Paul's purpose in demeaning the office of apostle?
4.
Is it really all right to imitate Christian leaders like Paulshould we not rather imitate Christ?
5.
What is the power in which the kingdom of God consists?
APPLICATIONS:
1.
To extend favors or privileges to one person over another because of some outward attainment or circumstance is strictly anti-Biblical.
2.
Christians have only one criterion by which they may judge the worth of a servant of Christfaithfulness; not quantity, but quality, is the standard for stewardship.
Today's churches would do well to remember that in evaluating a minister's or missionary's success!
3.
It is when the church begins to think of itself as a business operation or an institution and compares itself with the world that it begins to judge its servants (ministers, elders, missionaries, teachers, etc.) by worldly criteria of successfulness.
When the church does that, jealousy, arrogance, division and eventual destruction follows!
4.
To really know yourself, study the Bible. No man should fall into the trap of evaluating himself apart from the Bible, for he cannot do so objectively and honestly.
5.
Men and women put in places of Christian leadership must remember they are to be examples other Christians are to imitate.
6.
The cure for the problem of partiality and arrogance which causes divisions in the church is to remember that every Christian is only what he is by the grace of God.
7.
Schismatics in the church who exalt one leader over another are usually exploiting that leader for their own egotistical purposes.
8.
To accept insults, or to work with one's hands, for the sake of Christ, is not a sign of weakness, but of strength.
9.
People are not born again through apostolic miracles, but through the apostolic gospel.
10.
A faithful spiritual father will not shrink from chastening wayward spiritual children through the word of Christ, when love calls for it.
APPREHENSIONS:
1.
What is a steward? What is trustworthiness? Why is this the only standard for judging a steward?
2.
Are Christians to judge anything or anyone at all? What? How?
3.
What are Christians not to judge?
4.
What should a church seek foremost in a man they call to preach? Should it be personality? Speaking ability? Age? Administrative success?
5.
Does the Scripture prohibit partiality? What is partiality? Are you partial?
6.
Why did Paul use sarcasm about what the Corinthians thought of themselves?
7.
Is it all right for Christians to use sarcasm? When? How?
8.
If the apostles were held in such low esteem in their own lifetime, why are they widely venerated by the world today? How did Jesus explain this twist of human nature? (See Matthew 23:29-31.)
9.
How are people begotten in Christ? Should those who lead others to Christ feel like a spiritual parent? What would that involve?
10.
Do you look upon truth as powerful? What power does truth have? (See John 8:31-32.)
Applebury's Comments
CHAPTER FOUR
Analysis
A.
Paul pleads for a correct attitude toward the apostles (1 Corinthians 4:1-5).
1.
He asks that they be looked upon as (1 Corinthians 4:1) servants, that is, assistants who serve their Master, Christ; and (2) stewards, that is, administrators of the mysteries of GodHis revealed wisdom (1 Corinthians 4:1).
2.
He shows that the one thing required of a steward is that he be found faithful to his master (1 Corinthians 4:2).
3.
He indicates the correct standard by which the Lord's servants are judged (1 Corinthians 4:3-4).
a)
He is not concerned about the Corinthians passing on his qualifications to be an apostle or about human standards which they may use.
b)
He does not pass on his own qualifications.
c)
It is the Lord who examines and approves His servants.
(1)
Paul does not know anything against himself, but this has no bearing on his appointment as an apostle.
(2)
The one who passes on his qualifications and approves him as an apostle is the Lord.
4.
He points out the necessity of refraining from passing judgment (1 Corinthians 4:5).
a)
Stop passing judgment before the time of judgment, that is, before the Lord comes.
b)
He tells what the Lord will do in the matter when He comes.
(1)
He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness.
(2)
He will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.
(3)
When this is done, the praise that may come to each one will be from God, not man.
B.
Paul gives his readers a much needed lesson on humility (1 Corinthians 4:6-13).
1.
He explains why he has been using his name and that of Apollos (1 Corinthians 4:6-7).
a)
It was for their sakesprobably to spare them the embarrassment of being mentioned by their names.
b)
By so doing, he wanted them to learn not to go beyond the things which are written, that is, the things of the Old Testament which he has just quoted in the epistle against pride and arrogance of men.
c)
His purpose was to keep one from favoring a certain leader and being puffed up against another.
2.
He raises questions that emphasize the lesson (1 Corinthians 4:7).
a)
Who made you to differ, that is, in possession of gifts, in responsibilities, or in other matters?
b)
What do you have that you did not receive?
c)
Then he asks the question that brings the first two to bear on the problem: If you received them, why boast as though you didn-'t, that is, as though they were yours in your own right?
3.
He reveals their lack of humility (1 Corinthians 4:8-13).
a)
As to the Corinthians, he ironically says, You are already filled (having partaken of heaven's banquet); already you are rich (having received heaven's riches); already you have come to reign (in heaven with life's battles over).
b)
As to himself, he expresses his fervent wish (1) that this were really true of them, and (2) that the apostles were also rejoicing with them in heaven.
c)
As to the apostles, he shows what was happening to them for Christ's sake.
(1)
God had set them forth as men doomed to death.
(2)
They were a spectacle to the world for men and angels to behold.
d)
He emphasizes the lesson by pointing out the contrast between the apostles and the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 4:10).
(1)
The apostles are fools for Christ's sake, but the Corinthians are wise in Christ.
(2)
The apostles are weak, but the Corinthians are strong.
(3)
The Corinthians have glory, but the apostles have dishonor.
e)
He shows what the apostles suffer and how they react to trials (1 Corinthians 4:11-13).
(1)
They are hungry, thirsty, persecuted, unsettled, and have to toil with their hands for a living.
(2)
Being insulted, they bless; persecuted, they endure; defamed, they console; they are like refuse or the off-scouring of all things.
C.
Paul admonishes the Corinthians as beloved children (1 Corinthians 4:14-21).
1.
His purpose in writing is not to shame them but to admonish them (1 Corinthians 4:14).
2.
He is their father in the gospel even though they may claim ten thousand tutors, And because he is their father, he urges them to imitate him (1 Corinthians 4:15-16).
3.
He explains why he sent Timothy to them (1 Corinthians 4:17).
a)
Timothy is his beloved and faithful child in the Lord.
b)
Timothy was to tell them of Paul's ways in Christ as he taught in every church.
4.
He tells them of his proposed journey to Corinth (1 Corinthians 4:19-20).
a)
Some were puffed up, saying he would not come.
b)
He assures them that he will come if the Lord will.
c)
When he does, he will know about the arrogant ones, that is, he will find out not just what they are saying, but what they really are.
d)
He explains this attitude: The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
e)
A serious question about his coming visit: Shall I come to punishwith a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
Questions
1.
What points has Paul made in his program to correct the sin of division as he led to the discussion of chapter four?
2.
What is the figure back of the word account?
3.
What does it suggest as to the course of action for the Corinthians in their attitude toward the apostles?
4.
What is the significance of the use of the plural pronoun in this connection?
5.
What is the literal meaning of the word translated ministers?
6.
How does this differ from the word translated minister in 1 Corinthians 3:5?
7.
What bearing does the use of these two terms have on the problem of the correct view of men in relation to the church?
8.
What is the meaning of the word steward in this chapter?
9.
How does the position of Joseph in Potiphar's house illustrate the relation of the inspired apostles to the church?
10.
As stewards, what was the task of the apostles?
11.
What are the mysteries of God?
12.
What was the most important qualification of a steward?
13.
What bearing does this have on the problem of the correct view of the apostles in relation to the church?
14.
What is the meaning of the word judge in the phrase, that I should be judged of you?
15.
What bearing does this have on the claim of men who said, I belong to Paul or I belong to Cephas?
16.
Why was Paul not concerned about being judged by the Corinthians?
17.
What did Paul mean when he said, I judge not myself?
18.
How harmonize his statement, I know nothing against myself with the known facts of his life before becoming a Christian?
19.
What is the meaning of the word justify as Paul uses it in this chapter?
20.
What is the special sense in which it is usually used in the New Testament?
21.
In the sentence, judge nothing before the time, what is meant by judge?
22.
How does this differ from the other word translated judge in this context?
23.
Why were the Corinthians incapable of judging?
24.
What is the time of judgment?
25.
What are the hidden things of darkness?
26.
What did Jesus have to say about judging?
27.
How does the reference to praise from God help solve the problem of the correct view toward men in the church?
28.
Why did Paul use his own name and that of Apollos in his discussion of the sin of division?
29.
Why did Paul in other circumstances mention by name those who were causing trouble in the church?
30.
What did John say about Diotrephes?
31.
What lesson is Paul teaching in this connection?
32.
What is meant by the phrase, beyond the things which are written?
33.
What does puffed up mean?
34.
What were the Corinthians doing as suggested by the expression, for the one against the other?
35.
Why did Paul ask, Who maketh thee to differ?
36.
Why did he ask, What hast thou that thou didst not receive?
37.
What things had they received?
38.
What basic error is suggested by the question, Why dost thou glory as if thou didst not receive it?
39.
What bearing do these questions have on the problem of division?
40.
Why say that Paul speaks ironically when he says, already ye are filled?
41.
To what did he refer by filled and rich?
42.
Why did he say, I would that ye did reign?
43.
What did Paul write to the Philippians about his desire for heaven?
44,
What is the figure presented in the phrase, men doomed to die?
45.
What did Jesus reveal to Peter about his death?
46.
What did Paul write to Timothy about his anticipated death?
47.
What effect on the Corinthians did Paul expect his remarks about suffering to have?
48.
What is meant by spectacle unto the world?
49.
What did angels have to do with it?
50.
What is meant by fools for christ's sake?
51.
Why did he say, we are weak?
52.
To what weakness did he refer?
53.
What did Paul imply when he said, ye have glory?
54.
What is the meaning of Paul's remark about filth of the world?
55.
What was Paul's purpose in writing this rebuke?
56.
What term shows his great love for those who became Christians under his preaching?
57.
What was the work of the tutor?
58.
How does it explain the position of the teachers in Corinth?
59.
What term describes Paul's relation to the Corinthian Christians in contrast to tutor?
60.
What does he mean by, I begat you through the gospel?
61.
What does the New Testament say about the use of water in connection with becoming a Christian?
62.
Why were the Corinthians to imitate Paul?
63.
What did Paul think of Timothy?
64.
Why did he send him to Corinth?
65.
Why did he say, some are puffed up?
66.
What did he plan to learn about the leaders in Corinth if the Lord should permit him to visit them?
67.
What did he mean by saying, the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power?
68.
What choice did he leave to the Corinthians as to his intended visit?
For Discussion
1.
What is the place of example in the learning process?
2.
What effect would a correct example have on the problem of splits in a local congregation?