1 Coríntios 4
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Coríntios 4
Guzik - The puffed up state of the Corinthian Christians meant there was a pride problem. Though the pride was evident in the cliques around the different apostles, the cliques weren’t the problem as much as pride was the problem. Paul addresses their proud hearts with three questions. Who regards you as superior (diakrino -)? - NIV = "For who makes you different from anyone else?" Amplified = " For who separates you from the others [as a faction leader]? [Who makes you superior and sets you apart from another, giving you the preeminence?]" In other words why do you think you are better than other believers? Or why do you think your faction is better than that of the other faction? Clearly, the intent of this question is to bring them down to earth so to speak, to force them to consider the truth that they are no better than other believers who are also in Christ! So why are you so "puffed up?" It makes no sense! Guzik says "If there is a difference between us, it is because of what God has done in us, so there is no reason for pride." Arnold - Pride led these Corinthians to great conceit. They thought their little group was superior because they themselves were superior and were following a superior leader. Paul repressed their conceit by asking, “For who makes you different from anyone else? It is God who makes them different. Being different does not mean that one is superior to another. What do you have that you did not receive? - Answer? Nothing. Not the air we breathe or the food we eat. Absolutely nothing! Is this not a humbling thought? And of course in the spiritual realm, the principle applies to their wonderful spiritual gifts. They are all just that...GIFTS, not "wages" for meritorious works or behavior! For what they had received from God review 1 Cor 1:3-9+. It is all from God for as James says "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." (James 1:17+, cf ; 1 Chr 29:11-16) This truth should squash our pride! This question parallels the truth in 1 Cor 4:2 that believers are all stewards of God, slaves who have been given eternal life and spiritual gifts, but all from God, through God and to God, to Him be the glory. Amen! Arnold - Paul further repressed their conceit by showing everything a Christian or a minister has is by the grace of God; therefore, they have no grounds to think of themselves as superior to anyone. Furthermore, if they had any apparent superiority, it was not due to themselves but to God who gave them gifts and abilities. Absolutely everything we are and have is due to God’s grace: There is no room for conceit in any Christian. Vine on do you have - even supposing that such a superiority were actually possessed, it is not innate, but is derived from God, a fact which rules out self-glorying. For a recipient to boast as if he were himself the source of what was bestowed upon him is the height of self-conceit. And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? - In other words why do you boast as if what you received (spiritual gift - cf "all speech and knowledge" in 1 Cor 1:5+) as if it were based on your accomplishment? Paul has already used the same verb for boast three times (1 Co. 1:29; 1 Co. 1:31; 1 Co. 3:21)
1 Coríntios 4
Guzik has an interesting comment - Paul had a real problem with the Corinthians; they tended to look down on him and not respect his apostolic authority. In carefully chosen words, Paul will show the Corinthians how to have a proper regard – not too exalted and not too low – of himself and the other apostles. Zodhiates on regard - Paul also tells us in this verse that we (PREACHERS) are being watched by other people. They are trying to figure us out, especially if we are preachers. As servants of Christ - They were merely under rowers, the lowest galley slaves rowing in the bottom of the boat. In this short description Paul emphasizes that he and Apollos and Cephas were subordinate to Christ and their role was to carry out His orders, even as the under rower kept his eyes on the helmsman directing the oarsmen. Paul's use of this specific word for servants is also a reflection of his humility, practicing what he preaches for believers to not think more highly of himself then he ought (Ro 12:3+). The word for Servants is huperetes and is the only use in Paul's writings. What was a huperetes? These were the men down in the ship's, doing one thing -- rowing and with their eyes on one man, the man standing at the front of the hull, shouting "Row,Row, Row!" Why? Because if anyone gets out of synch, the whole boat is thrown off course! And who was the captain of the ship, so to speak, of Whom were they Servants Of Christ! Christ is their Master. What a picture of Paul and Apollos "rowing for Jesus!" (Play the apropos song Set Sail) There are no big "I's" or little "u's" in the ministry! A God-called preacher marches to the beat of a different drummer and if he doesn't he's not worth being in the pulpit. As an aside since Corinth was an active seaport, which frequently docked Roman war galleys (see picture above), huperetes was a term familiar to the Corinthians who would have immediately grasped Paul's figurative use in describing himself, Apollos and Cephas. Jack Arnold adds that "Corinth was a seaport and it was a common sight to see the Roman war galleys. On the lowest level of these warships was a single row of benches on both sides of the deck where the rowers sat. Facing the rowers on a platform was where an officer (sometimes the captain) would stand so the rowers (oarsmen) could see him. It was the oarsman’s task to row according to the cadence set by the officer. The whole ship moved and stopped on his orders. These rowers were slaves in the Roman navy who had been forcibly put in the position of under-rower; it was not their choice. The word huperetes implies subordination and insignificance. A minister is an under-rower who takes his orders from Jesus Christ, his Captain. What the Lord Jesus tells His servants, they are to obey, fixing their eyes on Him, their spiritual Captain, for orders. An under-rower did all the work; the captain gave the orders and got the glory. Ministers labor at the Lord’s command but it is Jesus who gets the glory. While the word "servant" tells us that the minister is not the big shot, the domineering leader or the lord over the flock, it does indicate a biblical independence of ministers as far as from whom they ultimately take their marching orders. They are not ultimately servants of an elder board, a deacon board, a congregation or a denomination. They are servants of Christ. Ministers are not to be paying heed to what the congregation or any one group within the congregation wants to hear, but they are to say what the Lord tells them to say out of His inspired and infallible Bible. To harness a minister of the gospel is to rob him of being a true servant of Christ and it also robs the congregation of listening to a man preach who has been listening to God. To harness a man of God is to stifle his creativity, hamper his zeal and cool his heart for the Lord. (1 Corinthians 3:18-4:5 Stewards Of The Gospel) Note that in 1 Cor 3:5 Paul used another word for servants writing "What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one." Servants is diakonos conveys the basic idea of humble, submissive, personal service, with less emphasis on a specific office or a particular function. As Matthew Henry once said "Those whom God will employ are first struck with a sense of their unworthiness to be employed." Another writer says the idea is God's "errand boy." Paul uses the other word for slave, doulos, a bond servant/bondslave, of himself only once in the Corinthians letters (2 Cor 4:5 = bond-servants for Jesus' sake"). Zodhiates - Paul is still concerned in the 4th chapter about the factionalism in the Corinthian church. He conceives of the Christian Church as a ship, of which Christ is the Pilot, and all His ministers are rowers under His command. They are so subordinate to Him that they can do nothing and be nothing in their ministerial character except as He gives the word. THOUGHT - Two things should characterize a preacher: the proclamation of the gospel, serving out the grace of God to others, and a voluntary submissive relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ. (Zodhiates) John Trapp on servants of Christ - Under-rowers serve “Christ the master-pilot, helping forward the ship of the Church toward the haven of heaven.” Zodhiates - it is a great and high calling to be a servant of Christ, to be called to row the ship of salvation, to be entrusted with the working of the oars that propel the vessel of which Christ is the Owner and Pilot. Not even the apostles are independent heads and leaders. They are all underworkmen, hand-laborers, dependent servants, who must look to Christ for their authority and orders in all they undertake and do. Paul feels that when others look at us they must realize we are servants, not of other men, or of an organization or church, but of Christ Himself....The servant of Christ must maintain a direct line of communication, so to speak, through prayer and obedient study of the Word of God. "Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men" (1 Cor. 7:23). Constable makes an excellent point - Learners should view teachers as stewards of God’s mysteries rather than as party leaders....Servants "means an under-rower, a figure taken from the galley ships of the time. Slaves who rowed under the authority of the man who coordinated their individual efforts propelled the ship. The ship sailed straight ahead rather than in circles as the slaves followed the instructions of their leader."
1 Coríntios 4
Guzik - Even our estimation of ourselves is usually wrong. We are almost always too hard or too easy on ourselves. Paul recognizes this, and so will suspend judgment even upon himself. Acquitted (vindicated in perfect tense) (1344)(dikaioo from dike = right, expected behavior or conformity, not according to one’s own standard, but according to an imposed standard with prescribed punishment for nonconformity) primarily means to deem to be right. Dikaioo describes the act by which a man is brought into a right state of relationship to God. Dikaioo is a legal term having to do with the law and the the courtroom, where it represented the legally binding verdict of the judge. This is the sense in which Paul uses dikaioo in this section in Romans (Ro 3:21-5:11) in which he unfolds the doctrine of justification. but - term of contrast. The One Who examines (anakrino in present tense - continually examines) me is the Lord (kurios - Master, Possessor) - The Lord is the perfect Judge, for He alone sees our heart and He alone can judge the motives of our heart. Paul explains that not even he was qualified to judge himself, but that the Lord Jesus would judge him (and each believer at the bema seat) in the day of His return. And His judgment is independent of men's judgment. Arnold - Paul looked at his own life and ministry and found nothing condemning about it. Surely he had times of doubt, times of indifference, and times of making mistakes, but he dealt with these things before God. Paul could think of no great matter where he had fallen down in his stewardship. As far as he knew, he carried out his ministry faithfully and at the time of writing the Corinthians was pleasing to Christ. Would that all ministers could say this! Yet, even if Paul's conscience was clear, that did not get him off the hook. The only impartial, competent and final judge is the Lord Himself. (Stewards Of The Gospel) F B
1 Coríntios 4
Guzik - It is as if Paul were saying, “You Corinthians act like judges at athletic events, qualified to give some the trophy and to send others away as losers. But Jesus is the only judge, and you are judging before the events are over.” Passing judgment (decide, determine)(2919)(krino root of English critic, critical [kritikos] = a decisive point at which judgment is made) primarily signifies to distinguish, to decide between (in the sense of considering two or more things and reaching a decision), to make up one's mind, to separate, to discriminate. to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong, without necessarily passing an adverse sentence, although that is often what is usually involved. Who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts (kardia) - Amplified = "for He will both bring to light the secret things that are [now hidden] in darkness and disclose and expose the [secret] aims (motives and purposes) of hearts." Jesus as the Light of the World in the sense of salvation, will now examine all works with eyes "like a flame of fire," (Rev 1:14+) and will judge our outward actions by examining our inward motives associated with those acttons! THOUGHT - Rewards in the future will not be based as much on what we did but why we did it! Woe! And so our motive should ever be "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31+) And an excellent supplementary passage would be the prayer of David in Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way." Vine on things hidden - They refer to that which has been secret in the life, whether hidden from the person’s own conscience or purposely kept secret by him. They are matters which lie beyond the estimate of our fellows. All things are now “naked and laid open before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do,” (Heb 4:13+) but at the Judgment Seat of Christ they will be manifested in their true character, and seen according to the unerring estimate of Jesus Christ, an estimate based on that which He alone possesses, viz., an absolute knowledge of facts and complete insight into “the counsels of the heart,” the motives which govern actions. See, e.g., Revelation 2:2, 9, 19+; Rev 3:1, 2, 15+ and 2 Corinthians 5:10. (Collected Writings) Spencer - God knows everything about us, every detail, every thought, every word, every work, every secret. Man will be judged according to what God knows about. That is a frightening thought! Arnold - The third pressure put on a minister is premature evaluation. These Corinthians were to stop judging Paul and the other ministers so as to find all kinds of fault with them, following only the one’s they liked. All ministers will be judged by Christ. He will bring out the secrets and motivations of the human heart on judgment day, and then the minister will find out whether his ministry was done to exalt self or God, to please men or please Christ. If there was any jealousy, pride or carnality, Christ will drag it out into the light. “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known” (Matt. 10:26+). Many a servant who looked attractive and sounded good on this earth will be terribly embarrassed at the Judgment Seat of Christ (ED: I AM NOT SURE I AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT - SAD POSSIBLY).. Every minister of the gospel should be constantly aware that one day his whole life is going to be examined by his Lord. Christ is going to walk back through his life and reward him for the things that were done for Christ. At that moment, ministers will be praised (rewarded) for the things that were done for Christ and not for their own glory. Until that time, we Christians are not to exalt and praise our ministers so as to give them glory. Nor are we to criticize the motives of their hearts. God will take care of His called servants. What should the church do? They should pray for their pastor and ask God to make him God's man so he can minister to the church with real power. (Stewards Of The Gospel) THOUGHT - This is one of those Bible verses that makes me shudder every time I read this. My flesh is rotten to to core and so capable of making me think I am doing something with God honoring motivation, when the truth is, I am doing it for the acclaim of men! Just being honest! So every time I write a comment on a verse, I have to ask myself, for whose glory am I writing this comment? And sometimes I do not like the answer! Bring to light (Illumine) (5461)(photizo from phos = light <> from phao = to shine) means literally to give light or to cause light to shine upon some object and illuminating the object. Figuratively, as in the present passage photizo means to cause something to be fully known by revealing its nature clearly and in some detail. Used 11x in NT - Lk. 11:36; Jn. 1:9; 1 Co. 4:5; Eph. 1:18; Eph. 3:9; 2 Ti 1:10; Heb. 6:4; Heb. 10:32; Rev. 18:1; Rev. 21:23; Rev. 22:5 Hidden (2927)(kruptos from krupto = keep secret; English ~ cryptic, etc) means concealed, secret, hidden either to protect it or for self-serving purposes. Krupto describes something that is unknown because it is being kept secret or hidden. Liddell-Scott give an example of a secular use of kruptos -- "a trench covered and concealed by planks and earth". Kruptos is used 3x in the letters to the Corinthians - 1 Co. 4:5; 1 Co. 14:25; 2 Co. 4:2; Darkness (4655)(skotos from skia = shadow thrown by an object) is literally that sphere in which light is absent and describes the primitive chaos before light was created (2 Co 4.6) and literally the outer darkness or place of punishment for those excluded from the kingdom of God (Mt 8.12). As used in 1 Cor 4:5, figuratively skotos describes a state of spiritual or moral darkness. Uses in NT - Matt. 6:23; Matt. 8:12; Matt. 22:13; Matt. 25:30; Matt. 27:45; Mk. 15:33; Lk. 1:79; Lk. 11:35; Lk. 22:53; Lk. 23:44; Jn. 3:19; Acts 2:20; Acts 13:11; Acts 26:18; Rom. 2:19; Rom. 13:12; 1 Co. 4:5; 2 Co. 4:6; 2 Co. 6:14; Eph. 5:8; Eph. 5:11; Eph. 6:12; Col. 1:13; 1 Thess. 5:4; 1 Thess. 5:5; 1 Pet. 2:9; 2 Pet. 2:17; 1 Jn. 1:6; Jude 1:13 Related Resource: What is spiritual darkness? | GotQuestions.org Disclose (made manifest, revealed) (5319)(phaneroo from phanerós = manifest, visible, conspicuous in turn from phaino = give light; become visible in turn from phos = light) is literally "to bring to light" and primarily means "to make visible" or to cause to become visible. The basic meaning of phaneroo is to make known, to clearly reveal, to manifest (see Vine's below), to cause to be seen or to make something clear. Phaneroo - 1 Co. 4:5; 2 Co. 2:14; 2 Co. 3:3; 2 Co. 4:10; 2 Co. 4:11; 2 Co. 5:10; 2 Co. 5:11; 2 Co. 7:12; 2 Co. 11:6 Motives (1012)(boule) when used of man expresses a decision, a purpose or a plan which is the result of inner deliberation. Boule is that which has been purposed and planned. Boule has in it the ideas of intelligence and deliberation. In other words boule describes the result of deliberate determination which in the present context reflects the product of not just a "mastermind" but God's heart of infinite love. And then - Then is a time phrase begging the question "What time?" In context the answer is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ which Paul described in chapter 1 as "the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor 1:8). In 1 Cor 3:13 this is presumably the say "day" Paul writing "each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire." Each man's praise will come to him from God - Amplified = "Then every man will receive his [due] commendation from God." Some believe this means not all will receive praise from the Lord. Others like John MacArthur believe "When the Lord returns, each man will receive praise from God—and from God alone." The fact that sin has been judged at the Cross and the bema is not for our sins should cause us to stop thinking of our past mistakes, sinful and otherwise. We each need to do as Paul did Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting (MEANS COMPLETELY FORGETTING) what lies behind (PAUL HAD A FEW "SKELETONS" FROM HIS PRE-CONVERSION DAYS!) and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Php 3:13-14+) Vine has an interesting comment that "Accordingly this (DIVINE PRAISE) is set in contrast to the undiscerning praise bestowed on party-leaders by their partisans."
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Guzik comments that Paul's " three questions should prompt other questions in my heart: do I truly give God the credit for my salvation (cf 1 Cor 1:31+)? Do I live with a spirit of humble gratitude (1 Th 5:18+)? Seeing that I have received from God, what can I give to Him? (ANSWER: NOTHING BUT MY LOVING OBEDIENCE!). Augustine used this text often in proclaiming the total depravity of man against the Pelagians. He knew that it taught there is nothing good in us except what we have received from God. (AMEN! SOUNDS LIKE PAUL IN Ro 7:18+) Boast (exult, glory) (2744)(kauchaomai akin to aucheo = boast + euchomai = pray to God <> auchen = neck which vain persons are apt to carry in proud manner) means to boast over a privilege or possession. The idea is to take pride in something. This verb was used in the Septuagint in the OT of any proud & exulting joy. Uses in the letters to the Corinthians (especially the second letter) - 1 Co. 1:29; 1 Co. 1:31; 1 Co. 3:21; 1 Co. 4:7; 2 Co. 5:12; 2 Co. 7:14; 2 Co. 9:2; 2 Co. 10:8; 2 Co. 10:13; 2 Co. 10:15; 2 Co. 10:16; 2 Co. 10:17; 2 Co. 11:12; 2 Co. 11:16; 2 Co. 11:18; 2 Co. 11:30; 2 Co. 12:1; 2 Co. 12:5; 2 Co. 12:6; 2 Co. 12:9 William Seeker - Reader, are there not the same lusts lodging in your heart--which are reigning in wicked men's lives? The reason why there is so little self-condemnation, is because there is so little self-examination. If we were left to ourselves but for a moment--we would destroy ourselves in that moment! We can defile ourselves--but we cannot cleanse ourselves. The sheep can go astray alone--but can never return to the fold, without the assistance of the shepherd. "Hold me up--and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117 1 Corinthians 4:8 You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you. Amplified - You behave as if] you are already filled and think you have enough [you are full and content, feeling no need of anything more]! Already you have become rich [in spiritual gifts and graces]! [Without any counsel or instruction from us, in your conceit], you have ascended your thrones and come into your kingdom without including us! And would that it were true and that you did reign, so that we might be sharing the kingdom with you! NET 1 Corinthians 4:8 Already you are satisfied! Already you are rich! You have become kings without us! I wish you had become kings so that we could reign with you! NLT 1 Corinthians 4:8 You think you already have everything you need. You think you are already rich. You have begun to reign in God's kingdom without us! I wish you really were reigning already, for then we would be reigning with you. ESV 1 Corinthians 4:8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! NIV 1 Corinthians 4:8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings--and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you! GNT 1 Corinthians 4:8 ἤδη κεκορεσμένοι ἐστέ, ἤδη ἐπλουτήσατε, χωρὶς ἡμῶν ἐβασιλεύσατε· καὶ ὄφελόν γε ἐβασιλεύσατε, ἵνα καὶ ἡμεῖς ὑμῖν συμβασιλεύσωμεν. KJV 1 Corinthians 4:8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. YLT 1 Corinthians 4:8 Already ye are having been filled, already ye were rich, apart from us ye did reign, and I would also ye did reign, that we also with you may reign together, ASV 1 Corinthians 4:8 Already are ye filled, already ye are become rich, ye have come to reign without us: yea and I would that ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. CSB 1 Corinthians 4:8 You are already full! You are already rich! You have begun to reign as kings without us-- and I wish you did reign, so that we could also reign with you! NKJ 1 Corinthians 4:8 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! NRS 1 Corinthians 4:8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Quite apart from us you have become kings! Indeed, I wish that you had become kings, so that we might be kings with you! NAB 1 Corinthians 4:8 You are already satisfied; you have already grown rich; you have become kings without us! Indeed, I wish that you had become kings, so that we also might become kings with you. NJB 1 Corinthians 4:8 You already have everything -- you are rich already -- you have come into your kingdom, without any help from us! Well, I wish you were kings and we could be kings with you! GWN 1 Corinthians 4:8 You already have what you want! You've already become rich! You've become kings without us! I wish you really were kings so that we could be kings with you. BBE 1 Corinthians 4:8 For even now you are full, even now you have wealth, you have been made kings without us: truly, I would be glad if you were kings, so that we might be kings with you. You are already filled: 1Co 1:5 3:1,2 5:6 Pr 13:7 25:14 Isa 5:21 Lu 1:51-53 6:25 Ro 12:3 Ro 12:16 Ga 6:3 Rev 3:17 you have become kings without us: 1Co 4:18 Ac 20:29,30 Php 1:27 2:12 and indeed I: Nu 11:29 Ac 26:29 2Co 11:1 you had: Ps 122:5-9 Jer 28:6 Ro 12:15 2Co 13:9 1Th 2:19,20 3:6-9 2Ti 2:11,12 Rev 5:10 BITING IRONY COMPARING CORINTHIANS TO APOSTLES Irony - The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning. An expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning Sarcasm - This is closely related to irony. A cutting, often ironic remark intended to express contempt or ridicule. While it is often used to hurt a person's feelings, in this context Paul is using this language to garner their attention, not to shame them, but to warn (admonish) them. Gilbrant writes "Paul painted a darker picture with each stroke of his brush." Luther - "Paul mocks them, for he means the opposite of what he says" Vine - he now passes from the representative individual to the whole assembly (not merely to the party leaders, Arnold - The whole section of 1 Cor 4:8-13 is filled with irony and sarcasm. Paul never watered down his words. He drew a contrast between the wretched state of the Apostles and that of the Corinthians in their ease. Pride and conceit does not lead to a spiritual church but to a self-sufficient, complacent church as seen in the Corinthians. Paul Apple calls this six verse section of sarcasm "The Delusion of Self Sufficiency = A Wrong View of Their Own Condition -- They Wrongly Thought They Had Already Arrived. . Sarcastic Parody of Their Self Sufficient Complacency - Laodicean Syndrome (Rev. 3:14-22+) SELF-SATISFIED Self-satisfaction is actually a negative not a positive trait, for it effective starves one from partaking of the blessing of those who "hunger and thirst for righteousness." (Mt 5:6+). You are already filled, you have already become rich - Amplified - "You behave as if] you are already filled and think you have enough [you are full and content, feeling no need of anything more]! Already you have become rich [in spiritual gifts and graces]! [Without any counsel or instruction from us, in your conceit]" This is self-deception, for they were ignorant of their need thinking they needed nothing! Paul is mocking the arrogance of the Corinthians who thought they were satisfied and surfeited and thus had "spiritually arrived!" Who are you going to believe? Them or Paul? Paul is crystal clear -- not only had they not arrived, they were still walking in diapers 4-5 years later... And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, 3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? (1 Cor 3:1-3+) THOUGHT - Have you ever met anyone who thought they had arrived and it was clear they were very immature? When a Christian becomes satisfied with their current state, they are potentially in a dangerous place. It is like riding a bicycle -- stop pedaling and you are cruising for a fall! The same is true in the spiritual life!
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Guzik - With his biting sarcasm, Paul knows the Corinthian Christians might be pretty ashamed. He wants them to know his purpose hasn’t been to make them feel ashamed, but to warn them of a significant spiritual danger—pride.
1 Coríntios 4
Guzik points out that "We don’t have apostolic authority like this. Leading someone to Christ does not give you special authority over their life, but it does give you a special relationship." 1 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. Amplified - So I urge and implore you, be imitators of me. NET 1 Corinthians 4:16 I encourage you, then, be imitators of me. NLT 1 Corinthians 4:16 So I urge you to imitate me. ESV 1 Corinthians 4:16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. NIV 1 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. GNT 1 Corinthians 4:16 παρακαλῶ οὖν ὑμᾶς, μιμηταί μου γίνεσθε. KJV 1 Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. YLT 1 Corinthians 4:16 I call upon you, therefore, become ye followers of me; ASV 1 Corinthians 4:16 I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me. CSB 1 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. NKJ 1 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me. NRS 1 Corinthians 4:16 I appeal to you, then, be imitators of me. NAB 1 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore, I urge you, be imitators of me. NJB 1 Corinthians 4:16 That is why I urge you to take me as your pattern GWN 1 Corinthians 4:16 So I encourage you to imitate me. BBE 1 Corinthians 4:16 So my desire is that you take me as your example. Related Passages: 1 Corinthians 11:1+ Be (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. (IMITATE PAUL WHO IMITATES CHRIST!) Philippians 3:17+ Brethren, join (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) in following my example, and observe (present imperative) those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. Ephesians 5:1+ Therefore be (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) imitators of God, as beloved children; 1 Thessalonians 1:6+ You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, (NOTE QUALIFYING PHRASE "OF THE LORD" - DON'T FOLLOW ANYONE WHO IS NOT FOLLOWING THE LORD!) having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 1 Thessalonians 2:14+ For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, Hebrews 6:12+ so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 2 Thessalonians 3:9 not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example. Hebrews 13:7+ Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. John 13:15 “For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. A GOOD EXAMPLE: FOLLOW THE LEADER Therefore I (present tense - continually) exhort you, be imitators of me - "Mimic me!" Paul presents his life as the model they are to emulate, giving them a command in present imperative which can only be obeyed as we depend on the Holy Spirit. We all need mentors in Christ, persons like Paul who model the life of faith (see 2 Ti 3:10-12+). Believers are to emulate men who exemplify a life of faith and obedience. Of course, our supreme heavenly model is God Himself (Eph 5:1+) and we emulate our Father. by hearing His voice in His Word and lovingly obeying (enabled by His Spirit) what we hear. Similarly, our supreme earthly model is Christ Jesus as we see in 1 Corinthians 11:1+ where Paul commands the Corinthians for a second time to "Be (present imperative) imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ." The power of example is profound. Paul was imperfect, but enabled by the Spirit he sought to follow the Perfect Life of Jesus, and thereby left the Corinthians a worthy example to emulate. For our entire life we are to remain teachable children who are playing (not "playing at") the divine game of "follow the leader," our Leader being Christ Jesus. While this is to be our lifelong task and privilege, I fear that many believers really do not understand the importance of the principle of imitation and thus they fail to realize the promise of "abundant life" in Christ (Jn 10:10b) For that reason, when you have time, take a moment and study the topic The Holy Spirit-Walking Like Jesus Walked!. He not only could say, “Do as I say,” but also, “Do as I do.” Discipling is more than teaching right principles; |it is also living those principles before the ones being discipled - John MacArthur Arnold - The third cure for conceit is to be humble. Paul is not saying they should be followers of him rather than of Apollos or Peter, for that would contradict everything he has said in the first four chapters of First Corinthians. He wants these people to have the same humble attitude the Apostles displayed when they were slandered, persecuted, poorly treated, called fools and thought of as condemned men. Paul and all the Apostles held themselves in low esteem. They, especially Paul, set a very good example and could say, “Be imitators of me." The Corinthians were babies in Christ and were to stop imitating other babies. They were to follow the actions of those more mature in Christ. Was Paul conceited when he said, "Imitate me”? He is merely stating men will follow what a person does and not so much what he says. We can talk our heads off but if our lives do not back up what we say others will not follow. A man who does not live what he says is really saying it doesn’t matter what he believes and life isn’t that important. In another place in this book Paul tells us the secret of his humble life. “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (I Cor. 11:1). He is saying to these Corinthians, “You imitate me because I'm imitating Christ, and when you imitate me, you are imitating Christ.” It is this Christlike humility that eliminates conceit and pride. (Conceit: The Root Of Divisions) Guzik writes "The first reaction of many of the Corinthian Christians would probably be horror. “Imitate you, Paul? You are regarded as a fool, as weak, as dishonored; you are hungry and thirsty and poorly clothed, homeless and beaten; you work hard to support yourself with manual labor. People look at you and see filth and the offscouring of all things. And you want us to imitate you?”. Paul might reply, “Yes, imitate me. Not because of all these difficulties, but despite them, and often because of them, the glory and power of Jesus Christ shines through me.” Because they didn’t have printing back then, Paul couldn’t just hand out Bibles. People had to learn the gospel by watching his life. Maybe that wasn’t so bad after all!" Exhort (encourage, implore) (3870)(parakaleo from para = side of, alongside, beside + kaleo = call) means literally to call one alongside, to call someone to oneself, to call for, to summon. Parakaleo can include the idea of giving help or aid but the primary sense in the NT is to urge someone to take some action, especially some ethical course of action. Sometimes the word means convey the idea of comfort, sometimes of exhortation but always at the root there is the idea of enabling a person to meet some difficult situation with confidence and with gallantry. See the following discussion for elaboration on the nuances of this great Greek verb. One writer has said that Paul's use of parakaleo in verses like Eph 4:1, Ro 12:1, 1Th 4:1 is “one of the tenderest expressions in all the Bible.” Kent
1 Coríntios 4
Guzik - Some Corinthian Christians were so arrogant they thought Paul was afraid to visit them. When they thought Paul was afraid of them, it made them all the more proud in their hearts.
1 Coríntios 4
Guzik - Those among the Corinthian Christians who loved high-sounding words and their successful image had their own word, but Paul had the true power of the Gospel. The final test of wisdom is power; the word of the cross not only has the power to mentally illumine, but also to morally save (1 Cor 1:18+).. Puffed up: Essentially, Paul threatens to pop the bubble of these puffed-up gasbags! As the writer of Hebrews said For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:12-13+) Arrogant (inflated)(5448)(phusioo from phusao = breathe, blow, inflate - fig extension of phusioo (nf) = puff up, to inflate phusia = a pair of air bellows!) means literally to puff up, to inflate, to cause to swell up or blow up. Paul uses this word figuratively to picture an egotistical person, with inflated view of self, spewing out their arrogant ("puffed-up") thoughts, as in the present passages (1 Co. 4:6, 18, 19) where phusioo is a KEY WORD. Phusioo means make proud or arrogant (active sense) or to become conceited, proud or haughty. To become puffed up or put on airs. In classic Greek phusioo was used to describe anger that swells (puffs up) the heart. Moulton and Milligan record an example of phusioo from ancient literature - "priding themselves on their birth". Phusioo describes one who has an exaggerated self-concept. The present tense in 1 Cor 4:6 pictures this self "inflation" as a continual practice and the use of the perfect tense in 1 Cor 4:18, 19 pictures "puffed up" as their state (they became proud at some point in the past and now are still proud). .Phusioo - 7x in 7v (not in Septuagint) - 1 Co. 4:6; 1 Co. 4:18; 1 Co. 4:19; 1 Co. 5:2; 1 Co. 8:1; 1 Co. 13:4; Col. 2:18 NAS = arrogant(5), inflated(1), makes arrogant(1). Clearly the concentration of phusioo in the first epistle to the Corinthians reflects that spiritual pride among the believers in Corinth was a serious spiritual problem. God is inveterately opposed to the self inflated mindset (Jas 4:6+, cp Pr 6:16, 17, 29:23) James Smith - SPEECH AND POWER “I will know not the speech of them which are Puffed up, but the power” (1 Cor. 4:19). “That was a good speech.” “He is a very eloquent speaker.” Such language is common, but Paul has another way of judging such tongue deliverances. “I will know not the speech, but the power.” Unspiritual minds can only judge the speech, the outward form—they know not the power. What power is this, by which the very heart-life of Christians is revealed? It is that holy, gracious, gentle, heart-melting, inscrutable something called “anointing,” that makes eternal and spiritual things very real and precious and powerful to those who hear. The Holy Spirit acting through the heart and speech of the preacher. Without this power all preaching is but as sounding brass and tinkling cymbals. May our speech be always seasoned with such salt. 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. Amplified - For the kingdom of God consists of and is based on not talk but power (moral power and excellence of soul). NET 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is demonstrated not in idle talk but with power. NLT 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God's power. ESV 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. NIV 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. GNT 1 Corinthians 4:20 οὐ γὰρ ἐν λόγῳ ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ ἀλλ᾽ ἐν δυνάμει. KJV 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. YLT 1 Corinthians 4:20 for not in word is the reign of God, but in power? ASV 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. CSB 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. NKJ 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. NRS 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power. NAB 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. NJB 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God consists not in spoken words but in power. GWN 1 Corinthians 4:20 God's kingdom is not just talk, it is power. BBE 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 1Co 1:24, 2:4 Ro 1:16 Ro 14:17 Ro 15:19 2Co 10:4,5 1Th 1:5 Related Passage: 1 Corinthians 1:2:4 ( and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, ONE'S LIFE MUST MATCH ONE'S WORDS For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power - "This is a central principle of great importance. Faith that does not result in right living may have many words to support it, but it will have no power. A person’s true spiritual character is not determined by the impressiveness of his words but by the power of his life (cf. Matt. 7:21–23+)." (MacArthur)