God is looking for genuine humility
May 20, 2019
Commentary
The Corinthians had split into various cliques, each following its favorite preacher (Paul, Apollos, Peter etc.). Each group believed it was the only one to have the whole truth, and thus felt spiritually proud. Paul told the groups not to boast about being tied to a particular preacher because each preacher was just a servant. No preacher has more status with the Lord than another. In this chapter, Paul is presenting us with three characteristics of a true minister. We saw the first one yesterday, and today we will see the second.
1. He is to be a humble example (vv. 6-13). The Corinthians were wise in their own eyes, but they were actually fools in God’s sight. Paul asks three pointed questions that puncture the bubble of their pride (v. 7).
a. Who makes you different? In other words, who regards you as superior? There was no room for pride and self-conceit when everything they were they owed to God.
b. What have you received? Everything they had, including their gifts in the ministry, were given them by God. To take any credit personally was an insult to Him.
c. Why do you glory? John the Baptist said, “a man can receive nothing, except it be given him from Heaven … He (Christ) must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:27,30).
Trying to humble the Corinthians, Paul makes a series of contrasts. He said, “You are trying to act as kings when we are prisoners subject to death” (vv. 7-9). He said, “you want people to see you as strong men when in ourselves we are weak” (v. 10). Finally, He said, “you want the honor that comes from men instead of being associated with us and ready for suffering” (vv. 11-13).
Application
Lord, help me not to try to take the credit for things you do for me, give to me, or allow me to accomplish.
1 Corinthians 4:6– 13 (NET)
6 I have applied these things to myself and Apollos because of you, brothers and sisters, so that through us you may learn “not to go beyond what is written,” so that none of you will be puffed up in favor of the one against the other. 7 For who concedes you any superiority? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as though you did not? 8 Already you are satisfied! Already you are rich! You have become kings without us! I wish you had become kings so that we could reign with you! 9 For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to die, because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, we are dishonored! 11 To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, brutally treated, and without a roof over our heads. 12 We do hard work, toiling with our own hands. When we are verbally abused, we respond with a blessing, when persecuted, we endure, 13 when people lie about us, we answer in a friendly manner. We are the world’s dirt and scum, even now.