REPEATING HISTORY: THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITHFULNESS

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

The first letter to the church at Corinth is strong statement by Paul to remain faithful. As we have discussed over the past few weeks, Paul is writing to encourage and to correct. 

Chap. 1 – A call for unity

Chap. 2 – A focus on wisdom

Chap. 3 – A description of the two different types of Christians; spiritual and carnal

1 Corinthians 4 is a clear statement by Paul to the church at Corinth on the importance of faithfulness in our ministry. He uses these 21 verses to bolster his case by making a simple statement to the faithful believers in Corinth.

It is important that you understand your position and have the proper perspective while walking in humility in what really matters!

1 Corinthians 4:1-21

1. Understanding our position

Vss 1-2 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

• “servants” (hypẽretẽs means “under-rower”) indicates working for someone else
• “stewards” (oikonomos means “manager”) indicates managing someone else’s stuff

1. Having the proper perspective

Vss 3-5 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

• 3 types of judgment – others, self, God
• This does not give license to self-righteous independence
• We are part of the body of Christ and thus accountable to one another 

1. Walking in humility

Vss 6-13 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. 7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it,why do you boast as if you had not received it? 8 You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! 9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you arestrong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

• Paul sarcastically contrasts the apostles to the Corinth church members
• He encourages them to consider their true position in the Kingdom as a way to encourage humility
• NIV translates verse 13 – We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment
• David Prior said it this way, “…all Christians are, at one and the same time, both kings and paupers, i.e. it is the authentic Christian experience to be wealthy in Christ and yet despised by the world.”[1]

1. In what really matters

Vss 14-21 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.18 Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

• Paul now takes on the role as their “spiritual father” to remind them of what matters
• He tells them not to mimic the world but to imitate Christ (1 Cor. 11:1)

Action Points:

1. Know that it’s all his anyway

vs 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful

• Oikonomos – manager
• Nothing you have or do belongs to you, it all is from Him

1. Know that everything you do, both in private and in public, is within the eyesight of God

Vs 5b … who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts.

1. Know where your power comes from

Vs 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power

Vs 20 (NLT) For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power

[1] David Prior, The Message of 1 Corinthians: Life in the Local Church, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985), 67.