CHAPTER 4

(A.D. 59)

JUDGMENT

¹Let a man so account of us, as of the Ministers of Christ (Christians should form some estimate of the position of Ministers of the Gospel, and Paul tells us what that estimate should be), and Stewards (literally a house-manager) of the Mysteries of God. (These are Truths once hidden, but now revealed.)

²Moreover it is required in Stewards, that a man be found Faithful (as stated, God doesnt demand success, but He does demand Faithfulness).

³But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you (judged regarding his motives), or of mans judgment (refers to any man judging him regarding motives): yes, I judge not mine own self. (In effect, this says a Believer is not actually even qualified to properly judge himself, much less others.)

⁴For I know nothing by myself (in effect, the verdict of my own conscience acquits me of all intentional unfaithfulness; but this is insufficient, because God sees with clearer eyes than ours); yet am I not hereby justified (I know of nothing in my life or Ministry that is contrary to the Lord, still it is not my judgment that counts in this case, but rather that of the Lord): but He who judges me is the Lord (refers to the Lord as the final Command, in fact the only True Judge).

⁵Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come (refers to the coming Judgment Seat of Christ), Who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts (at that time, the Lord will reveal the true motives behind the actions of His People): and then shall every man have praise of God (actually means such praise as he deserves).

HUMILITY

⁶And these things, Brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes (he has used himself and Apollos as examples); that you might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written (refers to the Scriptures), that no one of you be puffed up for one against another (an inflation of pride).

⁷For who makes you to differ from another?(All are on the same level, in desperate need of God.) and what have you that you did not receive? (Whatever we have is a Gift, not a merit.) now if you did receive it, why do you glory, as if you had not received it?(This presents a fake boast!)

⁸Now you are full, now you are rich (presents the Apostle using irony), you have reigned as kings without us (you are acting as if you do not need our Ministry): and I would to God you did reign, that we also might reign with you (in effect, says he wished they were actually in the Millennium).

⁹For I think that God has set forth us the Apostles last, as it were appointed to death (gladiators in the arena, appointed to die): for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to Angels, and to men. (God-called men and women are exhibited as a spectacle in a theatre to the world of men and to Angels.)

¹⁰We are fools for Christs sake (continuing to be the spectacle), but you are wise in Christ (telling the Corinthians, and all others for that matter, that if they truly walk close to Christ, they will meet with the same contempt and hatred men showed to Christ); we are weak (all Believers are weak, at least as far as the flesh is concerned), but you are strong (these Corinthians were busy telling everyone just how strong they were in the Lord); you are honourable, but we are despised. (The more popular the Church is, the further away from God it is. True Believers are despised!)

¹¹Even unto this present hour (speaks of the moment in which he was writing this particular Epistle) we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace (perhaps this homelessness was among the severest of all trials);

¹²And labour, working with our own hands (spoke of his tentmaking, which he did in order to meet his needs in places where he was attempting to plant a Church): being reviled, we bless (presents the correct spiritual stance for the Child of God); being persecuted, we suffer it (put it in the Hands of the Lord):

¹³Being defamed, we intreat (irrespective as to how evil the response to the Message was, the Apostle would not allow his spirit to be affected by the opposition): we are made as the filth of the world (could be translated, we are treated as the filth of the world), and are the offscouring of all things unto this day (shoots down popularity).

COUNSEL

¹⁴I write not these things to shame you (carries the idea that he is not merely venting his spleen, so to speak; there is a lesson the Holy Spirit desires that he teach), but as my beloved sons I warn you.(These four Chapters are not merely presenting the hurt feelings of a Preacher who has been rejected, but rather proclaiming that these Corinthians were completely getting off track, which would fall out to their hurt if continued.)

¹⁵For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ (refers to Teachers), yet have you not many fathers (speaks of one who has brought the Gospel to the sinner so that he might be saved): for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel. (This presents far more than merely preaching. It actually speaks of the entirety of the Call of God on a mans life, resulting in souls.)

¹⁶Wherefore I beseech you (I beg you), be ye followers of me (should have been translated, be ye imitators of me; Paul preached the Cross, lived the Cross, and knew if victory was to be had by anyone, it would have to be by the Cross; unfortunately, all Preachers then, as now, were not Preaching the Cross; hence the admonition of the Apostle).

¹⁷For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy (Paul knew that the letter would arrive before Timothy), who is my beloved son, and Faithful in the Lord (his son in the Lord; Paul had won him to Christ some years before), who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every Church. (Timothy would Preach the Cross, exactly as did Paul [I Cor. 1:17-18, 23; 2:2].)

¹⁸Now some are puffed up (prideful attitudes), as though I would not come to you (should have been translated, as though they would not eventually have to face me in person).

¹⁹But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will (expresses a humble spirit of dependence), and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. (He addresses these remarks to those who actually thought their spirituality was greater than his.)

²⁰For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. (The Message of the Cross changes lives, and does so by the Power of God.)

²¹What will you? (This actually comes from the Holy Spirit, and delivers an ultimatum.) shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? (If the Cross is rejected, trouble ultimately is in the offing. Accepted? The opposite!)