Not a matter of Talk but God’s Power

We continue through Ch 4 of 1 Corinthians. I mentioned in the last post that although lot is packed into this passage, it can be broadly divided into Paul addressing four topics. We looked at the first two in the last post which were; The right attitude towards the apostles and Warning against judging others. In this post, we look at the other two topics.

The chapter can be read in its entirety here

Warning against Pride (4:6-13)

1 Cor 4:6b-7 “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?

As Paul adressed the various factions that the believers in Corinth were creating and pitting one as superior to the other, he reminds then that they must not arrogantly choose certain teachers over others. A teacher’s presentation, personality or their personal preferences should not be used as an evaluating tool to place them on a pedestal while completely spurning the attitude of servant leadership and humility taught throughout the Bible. Paul is reminding these proud leaders that they were not the originators or discoverers of truth, but recipients of other’s ministry.

In the next few verses Paul using the imagery of the Roman Coliseum shows the contrast between false ministers and the true ministers of the gospel. Paul pictures himself and fellow apostles as `the last and most worthless band’ brought forth to die in the great arena, where the whole world, including men and angels, view the spectacle. They endured and continue to endure challenges for the sake of the gospel. Whereas the false teachers pridefully elevated themselves causing divisions, not being true to the word of God, and looked for personal gain.

An Appeal to end the division (4:14-21)

1 Cor 4:14-17 “I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.  Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.  Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.“

In the rest of the chapter, Paul urges the Corinthian believers to not entangle themselves with divisions and factions but to focus on Christ and be a student of the Word. He tells them to be imitators of him.

And as he does so, we see his pastoral heart towards the Corinthian church. He speaks as a Father would a wayward child, with tender appeal, with concern and therefore speaks of sending Timothy to them who would instruct and guide them. And in the very last verse, just as a father would, his tender care and concern is mixed with a firmness that is reflective of a strong desire to do all he can to see them not stray in their faith.

In verse 20 Paul says, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” Paul is no stranger to miraculous acts and other outward expressions of power in his ministry. What kind of kingdom of God power do you think Paul is speaking about? A power that is evident in the sacrificial servanthood of ministry where Christ is elevated and not self. In 2 Cor 12:10, Paul wrote “For when I am weak then I am strong”. It is the Spirit that stirs hearts and transforms lives. Human tactics can rouse emotion but lacks the power that truly changes someone.

May we be cautious to have our focus on the Lord, never allowing ourselves to be puffed up that we seek the words of a person more than Scripture. Paul emphasizes humility and warns against pride among believers, urging them to avoid divisions and factions. He appeals to the Corinthian church to imitate him, reminding them that true power comes from Christ and the transformative nature of the gospel, not personal elevation or preferences.

God Bless.