Brit Chadasha Foundations-Concepts in First Corinthians-Chapter 4

1 Cor 4.1-21 tells us how the Corinthians should think of Paul and those in authority there; questions to humble their pride; Paul’s correction as a spiritual father; which Paul do they want, the one with a rod of discipline or with gentleness.

v 1…Let a man regard us (Paul; those in authority over them) in this manner, as servants of Messiah and stewards (keepers of the house) of the mysteries of God (use us and take advantage of your opportunity).

v 2…In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy (faithful, fit to be trusted).

v 3…But to me it is a very small thing that I should be examined (judgment of others who were influenced by false teachers) by you or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself (or judge myself; to stand or fall by his own judgment, even though he knew his intentions better than anyone; why would he listen to others who did not know his intentions; this is not saying that he did not examine his conduct or his own intentions to form a judgment for what he did, but he does not stand or fall by his own judgment).

v 4…I am conscious of nothing against myself (does he really know himself away-Prov 21.2, 12.15) yet I am not by this acquitted (what a person thinks of himself does not influence God’s view of him-Isa 55.8-9), but the one who examines me is the Lord (and it is his judgment that counts).

v 5…Therefore, do not go on passing judgment before the time (of God’s judgment) until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and discloses the motives of (men’s) hearts (Heb 4.12-13); and then each man’s praise will come to him from God (false teachers, prophets want the praise from men).

v 6…Now these things (opinions about people or God), brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and to Apollos for your sakes (the comparison in v 3-5 was for their benefit) that in us you might learn not to exceed what is written (do not use standards beyond what the Torah/Tanak say to judge), in order that no one of you might become arrogant in behalf of one against the other (puffing up one servant of God over another-1.12).

v 7…For who regards you as superior (who evaluates you)? And what do you have that you did not receive (from God in their life)? But if you did not receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it (as if their spiritual blessing was from a man)?

v 8…Are you already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us (you seem to have it all without any teaching from Paul, etc); and I would indeed that you become kings so that we also might reign with you (because we have nothing; it’s not the time yet).

v 9…For, I think, God has exhibited us as shaliachim last of all (of low estate); as men condemned to death (suffering persecution); because we have become a spectacle (Greek “theatron” where we get the word theatre-publically on display and humiliated; this probably shocked the Corinthians and their pride) to the world; both to angels and to me (they were a laughing stock and many made fun of them; he felt like he was in an arena like the gladiators).

v 10…We are fools (Greek “morons”) for Messiah’s sake (on account of him; Festus thought this about Paul in Acts 26.24-25), but you are wise in Messiah (or think you are sarcastically), we are weak, but you are strong, you are distinguished, but we are without honor (the Corinthians preached and professed things in such a manner as to retain favor with the world).

v 11…To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless (an unsettled life),

v 12…and we toil, working with our own hands (to support themselves-Acts 18.3); when we are reviled, we bless (pra for them-Matt 5.44), when we are persecuted we endure (bear up under it, knowing God will not allow them to be tested beyond what they can endure-1 Cor 10.13);

v 13…when we are slandered (defamed), we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world (unfit to live), the dregs of all things, until now (this day).

v 14…I do not write these things to shame you (but they had reason to be), but to admonish (warn) you, my beloved children (to motivate them).

v 15…For if you were to have countless tutors in Messiah (Greek “pedagoges” or child instructors-Gal 3.24), yet (in contrast to this) not many fathers (teachers; Paul had a duty to them like a father), for in Messiah Yeshua (in his place and purposes) I became your father (begotten you) through the basar.

v 16…I exhort (call you) therefore, become imitators of me (followers, as he follows Yeshua-1 Cor 11.1-2).

v 17…For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord (his purposes), and he will remind you of my ways which are in Messiah (to certify that Paul’s doctrines are worthy because he knew him), just as I teach everywhere in every assembly (kehilat; factual reports that Paul is consistent).

v 18…Now some (self-appointed leaders and members) have become arrogant (puffed up like wind), as though I were not coming to you (as planned).

v 19…But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills (Paul believed God’s leadership would prevail over his own will), and I will find out (know), not the words of those who are arrogant, but their power (the life that they had in their ministry; how effectual they were-Paul was going to let the “hot air” out of them).

v 20…For the kingdom of God (God’s rule and movement in power and action confronting them) does not consist in words (rhetoric) but in power (Greek “dunamei” or dynamics or active power).

v 21…What do you desire (want the most)? Shall I come to you with a rod (to rebuke you, chasten you like a shepherd would with his sheep) or in love and a spirit of gentleness (with the affection of a shepherd or a father)?

Posted in All Teachings, Articles, Idioms, Phrases and Concepts, Prophecy/Eschatology, The Festivals of the Lord, The Tanak, Tying into the New Testament

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