Grace Bible Church

4000 E. Collins Rd. P.O. Box #3762 Gillette, WY 82717 (307) 686-1516

“Preaching the Living Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)”

MISUNDERSTANDING OF SERVANTS OF CHRIST

1Co 4:1-10 (7/6/11)

Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming

Pastor Daryl Hilbert

REGARD APOSTLES AS SERVANTS (1-5)

A. [Intro] - In the first part of chapter four, Paul not only gives logical arguments against the Corinthian’s divisions, but he also reproves them with irony or godly sarcasm. On one hand the Corinthians were putting some ministers on pedestals far above what was appropriate. On the other hand, the Corinthians were being critical and judgmental toward those who weren’t in their group. Either way, they were wrong in their attitudes and actions.

B. [1Co 4:1] - Because the Corinthians had created divisions over the ministers who baptized them, Paul instructs the Corinthians how they were to view him and those who minister to the church.

1. They were to be regarded as “servants of Christ.” “Servant” was not the normal word doulos (slave) or diakonos (servant) but huperetes, which literally means a lowly “under-rower” in the galley of a ship. It is a term that portrayed the humility of Paul.

2. Paul also said that they were “stewards of the mysteries of God.” So on the one hand, while Paul considered himself a lowly servant, he was at the same time given the lofty “mysteries of God,” namely the “divine revelation of God’s Word” (1Co 2:9-11).

C. [1Co 4:2] - Since the lowly servants had a lofty responsibility, they had to be found trustworthy (pistós - faithful and reliable). The “steward” (oikonómos - law or manager of the house) owns nothing but cares for his master’s goods.

D. [1Co 4:3] - Paul brings up a subject that can only at this point be indirectly detected. When the Corinthians elevated one apostle, they demoted and degraded another.

1. Their judgment of Paul was a small (eláxistos - very little or insignificant) matter. The Corinthian’s judgment or “examination” (anakrinō - process of evaluation, evidence in judicial hearings) of Paul, or that of a court, or even himself was not disconcerting to him.

2. Paul is not saying he dismissed everyone’s opinion about him, including his own; but God’s examination is the only one that truly mattered (1Co 4:4c).

E. [1Co 4:4] - Paul attempted to serve the Lord with pure motives and complete obedience but it will be Lord who is the final judge.

1. In Paul’s conscience there was no habitual sin or unconfessed sin in his life. As far as he could tell, he was serving the Lord with selfless motives and biblical methods. However, it was God who would examine (anakrínō) his life and make the final decision.

2. In keeping with the context (1Cor 3:11-15), the Lord’s examination will take place at the Bêma Seat of Christ, not for judgment of sin, but for judgment of service to the Lord along with the appropriate rewards.

F. [1Co 4:5] - Now Paul reveals the Corinthian’s judgmental attitude against him that obviously had been reported to him.

1. He writes to them in the imperative (mood of command) to “not keep on passing judgment” (present tense) or in other words, “Stop passing judgment!”

2. Instead they were to wait for the Lord and for His judgment at the Bêma Seat. It is there that the Lord will disclose the quality of every believer’s service, which will include both the hidden motives of the heart as well as praise worthy service that merits rewards from the Lord.

a) These refer to the inner motives, thoughts, and attitudes which only God can know. Since final rewards will be based, not just on outward service, but on inward devotion (cf. 10:31), only God can give the praise each deserves. See notes on 3:12–14. MSB

REJECT ALL SUPERIORITY (6-7)

A. [1Co 4:6] - In his discussion, Paul used “analogies” (metaschematizō - “with another form”, to change or fashion, i.e “farmers”- 1Co 3:6-9; “master builder” - 1Co 3:10-15; and “servants and stewards - 1Co 4:1-5) about himself and Apollos to help them learn and not be arrogant.

1. Paul did this so that the Corinthians would “learn” (manthanō root of mathetes which means disciple or learner) not to go beyond the admonition of Scripture. In so doing, they would become good disciples.

2. He also did this so that the Corinthians would not be arrogant (phusióō - to puff or blow up, i.e. “puffed up with pride”). Pride was at the very heart of their carnality and their divisions. Humility was a difficult lesson for the Greeks because humility was viewed with disdain.

B. [1Co 4:7] - Paul tears down the very foundations of pride by showing the Corinthians that everything we have we have from God.

1. Paul becomes quite strong in his reproof. Who is it that regards them as “superior” (diakrinō to examine and make an evaluation)?

2. He asks them what they have that they have not received from God or God through others. It removes all basis for pride. Satan was guilty of pride due to the same reason. He did not recognize his beauty was from God (Eze 28:13, 17) and consequently thought he was equal to God (Isa 14:12-15).

REFORM INTO FOOLS FOR CHRIST (8-10)

A. [1Co 4:8] - Paul increases to the level of irony or godly sarcasm. He sarcastically plays along with their prideful attitudes.

1. Obviously they have arrived spiritually. They were already filled (perfect passive participle - “having been and continuing to be filled”) with spiritual maturity.

2. They were already spiritually rich and did not need Paul or any other apostle. Paul likens their prideful thoughts about themselves as independent and self-made spiritual kings. With a cutting remark, Paul writes that if they were kings, he could reign with them. They were reminiscent of the church of Laodicea with “no needs” (Rev 3:17).

B. [1Co 4:9] - While the Corinthians were kings, Paul and those with him were lowly and despised.

1. Paul was shown as lowly and “last.” He was a man with a price on his head and condemned to die. His life became a theatrical “spectacle” (théatron) for the seen and unseen worlds.

2. Paul is not mocking his position or having regrets. Rather, he is showing the Corinthians the actual state of true servants of God.

C. [1Co 4:10] - Paul had become a “fool (moros) for Christ.” This is how the world viewed him but apparently some in Corinth thought that they were wise (phronimos - an intelligent person who uses their mind extensively). He continues with the ironic contrasts. He was weak but they were strong. He was without honor but they were honorable.

OBSERVATION AND APPLICATIONS

A. The believer, in order to be a disciple, must not go beyond the admonitions of the Scriptures. His attitudes and actions must do no more or no less than then what the Scriptures ask. In other words, disciples must have a biblical mindset, i.e. the mind of Christ (1Co 2:16; Phil 3:15).

B. The believer must have a biblical and balanced view toward those who minister in the church.

1. None of us are anything in and of ourselves without the Lord (Joh 15:4). With the Lord we can be used by Him to do great things in us and through us (Joh 15:5).

2. Those who serve the Lord are merely under-rowers, yet it is in the galley that they handle the marvelous divine revelation of God’s Word. They should not be put on a pedestal, nor be treated with judgmental attitudes, but have a place of respect (1Th 5:12; 1Ti 5:17; He 13:7, 17).

C. The believer must remain focused on God’s assessment of himself, thereby keeping him from pride and remaining humble like his Lord (Phil 2:5-8). Proverbs illustrates many consequences of pride:

1. Pride is opposed by the Lord and hinders God’s grace (Pro 3:34; 1Pe 5:5; Jam 4:6).

2. Pride is hated by the Lord (Pro 6:16-17; 8:13; 16:5)

3. Pride stirs up strife and divisions (Pro 28:25).

4. Pride brings dishonor (Pro 11:2; 29:23).

5. Pride goes before destruction (Pro 16:18).