1Cor 4:14-21 | KingComments | STEP | . The Corinthians must have been very embarrassed at reading the previous verses. There the great contrast is shown to them between the way they are Christians and the way the apostles are. That contrast should not be there. It was not the purpose of Paul to shame them. He had written to them as a father who sees things in his children which he did not teach them. To them, he was their father, wasn’t he? After all, he had begotten them through the gospel, hadn’t he? He calls them “my beloved children”. This means that they heard the gospel from him and accepted it. In that way he became their father and they became his children. Therein we see a family relation. In Paul’s love for the believers in Corinth we see the love of a parent for his children. You may also have someone like that to whom you are precious because through his service you became a Christian. Someone who takes care of you and ensures that you are doing well spiritually. It is wonderful when there are fathers in faith who are willing to support young believers in their way of faith. There were many believers in Corinth who didn’t like the ministry of Paul at all. Paul speaks somewhat mockingly of “countless tutors”. By that he means people who were pretending to be teachers for the Corinthians. They thought they were much better than Paul. Their ministry was also quickly accepted by the believers because they presented a comfortable Christian life to them. Wasn’t what Paul presented to them too much to ask? . No, it was not too much to ask. He did not preach them a dry theory. He really lived up to what he preached. Therefore he could exhort them, both out of his ‘fatherhood’ and out of his own life: “Be imitators of me.” In chapter 11 he says the same, while he adds to it, “just as I also am of Christ” ( ). Paul only asked to imitate him as far as he himself imitated Christ. In that sense you can also imitate someone who is supporting you spiritually. Therefore the example of older believers is important. Keep looking at them if they imitate Christ. By reading the Bible yourself you will be able to see if the example that they give, is a good example. A good example is given when it is similar to Jesus. . What Paul writes here goes for all local churches. It was not so that what he taught in the church in Ephesus was different from what he taught in the church in Colossae. Indeed he had spoken about different things in different places. But what he taught in Ephesus and Colossae was not in contradiction with what he had taught in Corinth. He is a man you can rely on. He doesn’t teach one time this and another time that. The reason of divisions in professing Christianity is exactly because the Bible is continually explained differently. All of Paul’s letters and actually the whole Bible, form a unity. The explanation of the Bible is not subject to changes. Again Paul could point at his example. His ways were “ways which are in Christ”, which means that his words and deeds were as Christ meant them to be. To show them that it is not just a personal view, he has sent Timothy to them. From him they would hear exactly the same things. The way Paul operated, matched thoroughly with Christ. Not only his teachings were in accordance with Christ, but also the way he walked to make known these teachings. He didn’t use nice words or craftiness to win the believers to his view. To him it was all because of Christ and His honor in the church. And because there is just one church, he taught the same everywhere. It is important for you to understand this well. You may hear the complaint sometimes, that everyone interprets the Bible differently. This is often used as a reason not to be occupied with the Bible. And if you do not read the Bible, you can just go on living without listening to any reason or command of the Bible. Do not tolerate such arguments in yourself. The only condition to be able to understand what the Bible says is: to be ready to do what the Bible says. Just read what is said in John 7. There the Lord Jesus says: “If anyone is willing to do His [i.e. God’s] will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or [whether] I speak from Myself” ( ). Just learn this verse by heart. This verse means that obeying the will of God is the condition to understand God’s Word. Only if you are willing to obey, you will be able to discover if a certain explanation of a Bible section is an explanation of man or that the explanation reflects God’s intention. You should realize well that Paul says these things with the view to the churches, for he speaks about “every church”. There is only one church that consists of all true believers. But, as you saw in the first verses of chapter 1, there is also a church in every place on earth where believers live ( ). That church consists of all the believers who dwell in that place. What Paul writes now to the believers of a certain place, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, therefore also applies to the believers who dwell in other places. He ignores that believers are separated from each other by all kinds of walls that they themselves have built. In those days, the walls were not there yet, but they are now. He who wants to listen to this word of Paul, which is from God Himself, will have to take down that wall or leave. . Some people thought that Paul didn’t dare to come personally and therefore sent Timothy. That was not true. If the Lord wanted that, he would come. And then he wouldn’t listen to those braggarts. Their words had no content; they missed the power of God and therefore had no effect. You live in a world where much is said, but how many words really have power and have an effect? The reality is that many promises are made and nothing or only a little is given of what is promised. . “The kingdom of God” is not in words. In the kingdom of God the issue is life, in which the power of God becomes visible. It is a realm where you now belong and in which you can show that the Lord Jesus is your Lord. By just simply listening to Him and doing what He says, His power will become visible in your life. . How did Paul have to come to them? They are allowed to say how they want it. Should he come with a rod? That would have happened if they didn’t listen to his exhortation to imitate him. Yes, at times it is necessary to use firm talk. That is absolutely not in contrast with love. This is also how God deals with His children. In Hebrews 12 chastisement by the Lord is called a proof of love ( ). Or will he be able to come with love and a spirit of gentleness? That he hoped, for that would mean that they regretted their wrong attitude. His letter would then have had the effect that he was longing for. They would then be focused on Christ again, both in their personal lives and in their life as a church. If he would then come, he would keep on helping them in love and gentleness. Now read 1 Corinthians 4:14-21 again. Reflection: You must know Christians who are an example for you. Just examine why they are your example. Besides, think of what Paul has said.

‏ 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

What Paul Taught

1Cor 4:14-15. The Corinthians must have been very embarrassed at reading the previous verses. There the great contrast is shown to them between the way they are Christians and the way the apostles are. That contrast should not be there. It was not the purpose of Paul to shame them. He had written to them as a father who sees things in his children which he did not teach them. To them, he was their father, wasn’t he? After all, he had begotten them through the gospel, hadn’t he?

He calls them “my beloved children”. This means that they heard the gospel from him and accepted it. In that way he became their father and they became his children. Therein we see a family relation. In Paul’s love for the believers in Corinth we see the love of a parent for his children. You may also have someone like that to whom you are precious because through his service you became a Christian. Someone who takes care of you and ensures that you are doing well spiritually. It is wonderful when there are fathers in faith who are willing to support young believers in their way of faith.

There were many believers in Corinth who didn’t like the ministry of Paul at all. Paul speaks somewhat mockingly of “countless tutors”. By that he means people who were pretending to be teachers for the Corinthians. They thought they were much better than Paul. Their ministry was also quickly accepted by the believers because they presented a comfortable Christian life to them. Wasn’t what Paul presented to them too much to ask?

1Cor 4:16. No, it was not too much to ask. He did not preach them a dry theory. He really lived up to what he preached. Therefore he could exhort them, both out of his ‘fatherhood’ and out of his own life: “Be imitators of me.”

In chapter 11 he says the same, while he adds to it, “just as I also am of Christ” (1Cor 11:1). Paul only asked to imitate him as far as he himself imitated Christ. In that sense you can also imitate someone who is supporting you spiritually. Therefore the example of older believers is important. Keep looking at them if they imitate Christ. By reading the Bible yourself you will be able to see if the example that they give, is a good example. A good example is given when it is similar to Jesus.

1Cor 4:17. What Paul writes here goes for all local churches. It was not so that what he taught in the church in Ephesus was different from what he taught in the church in Colossae. Indeed he had spoken about different things in different places. But what he taught in Ephesus and Colossae was not in contradiction with what he had taught in Corinth. He is a man you can rely on. He doesn’t teach one time this and another time that.

The reason of divisions in professing Christianity is exactly because the Bible is continually explained differently. All of Paul’s letters and actually the whole Bible, form a unity. The explanation of the Bible is not subject to changes.

Again Paul could point at his example. His ways were “ways which are in Christ”, which means that his words and deeds were as Christ meant them to be. To show them that it is not just a personal view, he has sent Timothy to them. From him they would hear exactly the same things. The way Paul operated, matched thoroughly with Christ. Not only his teachings were in accordance with Christ, but also the way he walked to make known these teachings. He didn’t use nice words or craftiness to win the believers to his view. To him it was all because of Christ and His honor in the church. And because there is just one church, he taught the same everywhere.

It is important for you to understand this well. You may hear the complaint sometimes, that everyone interprets the Bible differently. This is often used as a reason not to be occupied with the Bible. And if you do not read the Bible, you can just go on living without listening to any reason or command of the Bible. Do not tolerate such arguments in yourself. The only condition to be able to understand what the Bible says is: to be ready to do what the Bible says.

Just read what is said in John 7. There the Lord Jesus says: “If anyone is willing to do His [i.e. God’s] will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or [whether] I speak from Myself” (Jn 7:17). Just learn this verse by heart. This verse means that obeying the will of God is the condition to understand God’s Word. Only if you are willing to obey, you will be able to discover if a certain explanation of a Bible section is an explanation of man or that the explanation reflects God’s intention.

You should realize well that Paul says these things with the view to the churches, for he speaks about “every church”. There is only one church that consists of all true believers. But, as you saw in the first verses of chapter 1, there is also a church in every place on earth where believers live (1Cor 1:1-3). That church consists of all the believers who dwell in that place. What Paul writes now to the believers of a certain place, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, therefore also applies to the believers who dwell in other places. He ignores that believers are separated from each other by all kinds of walls that they themselves have built. In those days, the walls were not there yet, but they are now. He who wants to listen to this word of Paul, which is from God Himself, will have to take down that wall or leave.

1Cor 4:18-19. Some people thought that Paul didn’t dare to come personally and therefore sent Timothy. That was not true. If the Lord wanted that, he would come. And then he wouldn’t listen to those braggarts. Their words had no content; they missed the power of God and therefore had no effect. You live in a world where much is said, but how many words really have power and have an effect? The reality is that many promises are made and nothing or only a little is given of what is promised.

1Cor 4:20. “The kingdom of God” is not in words. In the kingdom of God the issue is life, in which the power of God becomes visible. It is a realm where you now belong and in which you can show that the Lord Jesus is your Lord. By just simply listening to Him and doing what He says, His power will become visible in your life.

1Cor 4:21. How did Paul have to come to them? They are allowed to say how they want it. Should he come with a rod? That would have happened if they didn’t listen to his exhortation to imitate him. Yes, at times it is necessary to use firm talk. That is absolutely not in contrast with love. This is also how God deals with His children. In Hebrews 12 chastisement by the Lord is called a proof of love (Heb 12:6).

Or will he be able to come with love and a spirit of gentleness? That he hoped, for that would mean that they regretted their wrong attitude. His letter would then have had the effect that he was longing for. They would then be focused on Christ again, both in their personal lives and in their life as a church. If he would then come, he would keep on helping them in love and gentleness.

Now read 1 Corinthians 4:14-21 again.

Reflection: You must know Christians who are an example for you. Just examine why they are your example. Besides, think of what Paul has said.