Life Project Blog

1 Corinthians 4:14-21

The NIV adds a subheading to this passage that reads, “Paul’s Appeal and Warning”. I think that the editors were very diplomatic, for I would have written it more like this: “Paul’s Threat to Corinth”. When I read these verses, they sound to me like Paul is saying, “Don’t make me come over there and straighten you people out!”

However, we might view it, one thing is clear: Paul means business.

This is a consistent message in the New Testament, as we see many times, that divisiveness in the church, from whatever source is not to be permitted. In this case, Paul has given us a model to follow: He receives a message that division and fragmentation are taking place in the church at Corinth. In response, he writes them a letter of instruction and warning so that the people might learn their error and take corrective action. He is sending Timothy along with the letter to help them correct the situation, but if that doesn’t work, more drastic steps will be taken. This is the way of love, teach and correct, follow up and try to help people get their act together, and then take serious steps if necessary.

Some might be inclined to bristle at this and say that “they” are just trying to control me, yep that’s it, they just want to control me! Nobody is going to tell me what to do, I will do what I want, when I want: Nobody is going to control me!

I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have heard that sentiment, and how impressed I was each time I heard it, with the vast level of maturity it exemplifies. That is why the first step is instructive. I have also heard it said that “the God I know would never be so intolerant that He would let anyone tell me what to do!” That one also shows an amazing level of maturity and insight. Nevertheless, the Church embodies the Kingdom of God, established by the Lord Jesus Christ in His blood, on this earth until He returns. As such, it is the key element in God’s eternal purpose. God is going to see His purpose completed, and no one is going to frustrate His purpose by division and discord. You see dear reader, as error goes in the New Testament, dividing the church is just about as serious as it gets, and God will not permit it.

How ever you might want to view all of this, Paul has completed his discussion of division, and will begin his next topic in chapter five.

Have you figured out the mystery? If not, here’s a hint: Paul has told us more than once, that the mystery of God has been revealed to us. OK, there you go, good work everyone. Of course, it’s the gospel of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the very thing that seems so foolish by merely human understanding. That’s why it was able to hide in plain sight for so long, even though the entire Old Testament points directly to it.

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives. (3:14)

If you remember the very beginning of our study, we saw that Paul had very quickly established a series of local congregations in Crete. People there were very receptive to the message of Christ, but then opposition arose. Paul left Titus in charge there and this letter gives instructions on how to get things organized and operating. Now, at the end of the letter, Paul sums up his purpose in writing to Titus very succinctly.

Clearly, they had some urgent needs. First, dealing with persecution, second, getting properly set up to ensure the wholeness of the pure Gospel message, and finally, to have the entire community of believers pulling together and not being discouraged and divided by unnecessary controversies.

Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with you all. (3:15)

This final verse is the conclusion of the letter, and as such, is quite typical. Yet there is something here that is worth noting, it’s the last sentence:

Grace be with you all.

Many people, myself included, take this as a wish that grace will be with us; maybe that’s how it strikes you as well. Notice however, Paul didn’t say “will be” which would be future tense, he said “be” which is present tense. Today, we would probably say “Grace is with you all.”

Yes indeed, His grace is with us now- my prayer is that we would grab hold of it and never let go!

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Having taken his readers to the woodshed, now Paul, as any good father might do, explains things again so that his errant children might learn the right way to go about things. Paul himself, and Apollos, Peter, and any other person in leadership, are servants of Christ, entrusted with certain things. Among those things, although not directly mentioned here, would be the care and edification of those in their care. Of course, what he mentions more or less specifically are “mysteries” that God has revealed.

The real “mystery” here is whatever it is Paul is referring to!

Then Paul continues, as if we already knew what this big “mystery” is, to tell the arrogant children of Corinth that he really doesn’t care what they think of him. Don’t forget that this letter is written for the entire congregation, and that includes both those who say they follow Paul and those who say they follow someone else, so apparently his detractors will be receiving his words along with his fans− both are being corrected.

As these few verses continue, Paul makes it clear that we are to withhold our judgements about others, and wait until Jesus returns, when all is revealed, and all will receive their praise. Please note that he didn’t say that all will receive their just due, as in some will get praise while others fry in hell.

He is writing to Christians, after all.

Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

1 Corinthians 4:6-7

Once again Paul is speaking rather bluntly here: He and Apollos are merely the Lord’s servants, and the Corinthians mustn’t try to gain by choosing one over the other and divide the church, for no one of them has any right or business acting like someone greater than they are. All Christians are followers of the Lord, His humble servants, no more, no less.

Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.

1 Corinthians 4:8-13

This is kind of a fun little passage, don’t you think? Of course, we could go on a very lengthy analysis of the whole thing, line-by-line. Yet something gets lost when you start to analyze things too much. This isn’t that complicated: Paul begins with sarcasm.

They are so smart, they are so important, they are reigning with Christ. Just ask them, they have the tiger by the tail!

How are their “leaders” doing? Did they somehow miss the boat? Did Jesus return and not tell Paul, the guy entrusted with all those mysteries of God?

Nonsense!

Looks like we’ve gone back to the woodshed to me, how about you?

OK, some might be mortified that I said Paul is being sarcastic in Scripture. We think of sarcasm as being nasty and negative… and it can be. Yet it doesn’t need to be, for it is a communicative tool that can also be extremely valuable in making a tough point to get a person’s attention onto something they might find inconvenient to face. Usually it is used, as in this case, to say: For Heaven’s sake wake up!

By the way, do you know what the mystery is yet?

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Titus 3:3-8

After he has given Titus instruction about what behaviors are to be encouraged, and what not to allow, Paul shares some insights that reveal he has personal experiences that provide him with some important insight into these issues. Though he was a Pharisee among Pharisees, and very righteous in appearance, Paul has done many of the very things that he is telling Titus not to allow in the church. Paul and his very righteous colleagues were filled with foolish passions, were disobedient, malicious and hateful in spite of their outward righteousness. Yet, by the mercy and grace of God, Paul had been saved from all of that. No longer was Paul a slave to sin and unrighteousness, for by God’s grace, he was now a co-heir with Christ.

Each of us who follow Jesus today can say the same thing, that we have been turned from darkness to light, just as the people Titus has been called to lead had been. Yet Paul knew from his own experiences that this world has a way of pulling us back into silly disputes, debates and divisions. He continues:

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

Titus 3:9-11

Verse 9 might seem a bit familiar to many of us because what Paul seems to be getting at here is that we are to avoid unnecessary doctrinal disputes. It always amazes me when people become so upset when another person disagrees with them on some minor doctrinal point. They become irritated, frustrated and finally angry, over what? Is the story of Jonah and the whale (actually a fish) literal or figurative? What!? You dare to disagree with me?

It doesn’t matter, for either way the meaning is the same- so let’s fight about it…?

Even when we might disagree on something more important, God will reveal all in His time; my guess is that all of us will discover that we were right on some things, and wrong on others. There is nothing to be gained by tearing the Body of Christ apart in the meantime.

Paul’s instruction to Titus is to give people who insist on being divisive two chances to stop, and then to part company with them. After that, they may, God willing, repent, and if not, they have condemned themselves. As a result, the rest of the community is spared being torn asunder.

In vv. 12-14 Paul gives some instructions relating to some of the men who were on the road at the time of his writing, and then comes to the key verse that sums everything up- we’ll get right into it next time: See you then!

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Paul enters the final phase of his argument about division and fragmentation in the church with these words, which are actually a transition. Even so, they are compelling not only for the members of the church in Corinth, but for us today, for they ring true through the mist of time as warning for each of us to avoid creating or becoming involved with factions in the church.

Church is not a human institution, and it must not be treated as such. Church is not a cult of personality, and it must not be allowed to become as such. Church is the entire body of believers in whom the Holy Spirit dwells.

Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours,whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.

1 Corinthians 3:18-22

As the chapter comes to its close, Paul again brings back his comparison and contrast of wisdom and foolishness, bringing all of the preceding points together. If we think we are wise by the standards of this world, we need to become “fools” for Christ, for the wisdom of this world counts for nothing where eternity is concerned. Does this line of thinking remind you of Ecclesiastes?

It does for me; I can hear Solomon’s words ringing in my mind as I read this: “Useless, useless!”

Everything we need, we have in Christ. If we have everything we need in Christ, then what is it that we need outside of Christ? The approval and admiration of society? To be associated with a great church leader?

For heaven’s sake! We have association with the King of kings and the Lord of lords− it doesn’t get any better than that!

We who are followers of Jesus – all of us together – we are one in Him, and He is in us. To bring something of this world into the mix is to break the fellowship of the Body, and to wreck our relationship with Him.

1 Corinthians 3:1-16

As Chapter 3 begins, we need to pause and check our contexts. Paul is writing to the Corinthians to address several serious problems in the church in Corinth as they existed c. 55 AD. In this, the first section of the letter, Paul is still addressing the issue of division and fragmentation in the congregation. In the previous subsection he has been pointing out that there is a divide along social lines, and we have just been looking at a comparison and contrast between human wisdom and Divine wisdom, and we saw that a person can only understand God’s wisdom through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, for with merely human understanding, God’s wisdom is most likely to appear silly or foolish, while with the guidance of the Spirit, we discover that it is actually human wisdom that is lacking.

In this chapter, Paul moves on to his next point, this time dealing with the notion that various leaders, and he mentions himself and Apollos by name, have become the focal points by which the congregation has split into opposing camps. Both he and Apollos are merely servants of the Lord Jesus Christ; neither is great in his own right.

To make his point, he uses a couple of metaphors, beginning with an agricultural one in which he, Paul, plants seed, and Apollos comes after to water it so that both Paul and Apollos have done their part in the process of growing a crop. God comes along and causes the seeds to germinate and grow. Both Paul and Apollos are God’s co-workers, and for doing their jobs they will receive their rewards, but God is the key. The congregation in Corinth is the field of new growing plants― very young plants.

Paul cites some evidence of their immaturity in the faith: Since they are merely at a point where they will split into two camps and say things like, “I follow Paul” or “I follow Apollos”, they are, in a sense, declaring their own lack of maturity, because both Paul and Apollos are followers of Jesus Christ, and so should they all be. Doesn’t that remind you of little kids arguing over who has the best Dad or Mom?

If you look back at what Paul wrote in 2:1-5 when he admitted that he hadn’t come to them with any great eloquence of speech or any great sophistication in his content, then you can easily understand what he means here in saying that they are spiritual infants, and that he hasn’t yet brought them anything other than a baby’s milk, for they are not yet ready for “solid food”. My guess is that the Corinthians didn’t find that observation terribly endearing, but clearly it was a message that they needed to hear.

As Paul continues, he will shift to another metaphor to illustrate his point.

Beginning at verse 10, Paul switches to a building metaphor: He laid the foundation for the church at Corinth, and Apollos build upon that foundation− the foundation that Paul laid was Jesus Christ. Apollos, or any other builder who comes along must be wise enough to build with the proper materials, or the building will not stand up to the test of time. Since the church is the Body of Christ, it is not only built upon Him, it is built up by and through Him. A church that is built upon a human personality, will not pass the test of time, and since Paul’s day we have seen that fact borne out too many times to even consider listing.

You might recall that earlier I mentioned that Paul was setting out a persuasive case, and we will shortly see his persuasive conclusion.

These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

Titus 2:15-3:2

Paul ends the section that he began in v. 1:5 with these words. It seems clear at this point that his purpose was that Titus lead the people in a way that resulted in peace with everyone, in love and in congeniality. Yes, that means that there may need to be rebukes from time-to-time, but these were to be made so that everyone might participate in the fullness of Christ and never to be unkind or harsh. Of course, people being the way we are, Titus would need to ensure that nobody took advantage of other people or behaved in a hurtful manner.

If you think about it, this isn’t a bad thing, rather it is encouraging to know that the whole point of the Christian community is, that it be a safe place for everyone to be, one in which no one need look over their shoulder because of bullies or people who behave badly.

It might appear to some, certainly it does to me, that Paul and Titus lived in a more civil society than we do today. Think about it: Titus, one man, was to ensure that there was order and civility in the church- one man. Apparently, there was still respect for church authority in those days, and leaders didn’t fear the mob. This is even more surprising when you consider that at the time of this writing, these people were being persecuted from the outside.

Fascinating… and instructive, don’t you think?