October 6, 2024|Judge Rightly|1 Corinthians 4:1-13
John-Daniel Cutler
Click here for the sermon audio
This morning we are going to finally make it to Paul’s conclusion and instruction concerning the subject of their division he began immediately after the opening verses of his letter to the Corinthian church. Over the last five weeks we have made our way through Paul’s rebuke over the divisions that were present within the church in Corinth.
I will remind you that the overarching theme of this letter is instructions on how to live as members of the household of God, specifically within the local body he has placed us in. 1 Corinthians is concerned, more than probably any other New Testament book, with what the believers are experiencing within the church. It’s why we have titled this series, Life in the Church.
But before Paul can dig into some of the subjects we will see unfold in this letter, like worship in the church, the roles of men and women in worship, church discipline, the institution of marriage, freedom and rights in Christ, and the dangers of idolatry, just to name a few, Paul has spent a significant amount of time dealing with what seems to be the primary cause of problems within the church, a division that has arisen over what teacher they consider to be the best and what teacher they want to be identified with.
For those who haven’t been with us and as a reminder of the flow of Paul’s instruction, let me briefly recap where we have been.
Vs 1:10- there be no divisions among you (Divisions over who you follow, or whose you are)
Vs 1:17- the root of the problem is the Corinthians are trying to use worldly wisdom to determine which teacher they identify with
Vs 1:18 Paul begins digging into the idea of wisdom
For the rest of chapter 1 Paul contrast the wisdom of God with the wisdom of man
Vs 2:6 Paul teaches about the wisdom of God that is for the mature
Vs 3:1 Paul tells the Corinthians that he could not address them as mature because they were infants in Christ and they still are!
Vs 3:5 Paul begins explaining who these teachers really are
Servants, workers, planters, and tenders, but they cannot produce anything in believers because it is God who gives the growth
Vs 3:10 Paul uses an extended metaphor of the people of God being the building of God to drive home the idea that as workers, God will be the ultimate judge of his laborers
Which brings us to chapter 4, where Paul is going to instruct these believers after he has chastised them for their divisive ways.
We are going to look at his conclusion on this subject of their division this week in verses 1-13
Paul begins this section with these words ‘this is how one should regard us’- this is how one should judge us. Paul wants to help correct the issue that has caused the division, the way that they have been judging is altogether wrong. With that in mind, our sermon today is titled Judge Rightly.
The Apostle Paul is going to show us how we should judge our leaders and teachers and how we judge ourselves by giving us three elements of right judgment that I want to highlight for you today.
The first element is that…
We must use the right standard.
If you haven’t already, open your Bibles to 1 Corinthians at chapter 4. Let’s read the first two verses together this morning.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (ESV) 1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
Here Paul is going to pick up where he began in 1 Corinthians 3:5 (ESV) 5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.
How should you think about us, Paul says, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
The word Paul uses here for servant is an interesting one. There are three words translated as servant that Paul uses in his writings.
A common one is the greek word Doulos (doo'-los)- which means a slave
Another one he uses repeatedly is Diakonos (dee-ak'-on-os)- one who executes the commands of another -This is the word we get the word deacons from.
But here in 1 Corinthians chapter 4, he uses the word hoop-ay-ret'-ace
Which is a conjunction of two words. The word ‘under’ and the word for someone who rows.
Literally, an under rower. The idea is someone who rows under the leadership and direction of another. The under rower does not set the pace but rather keeps in rhythm with the leader.
Paul’s use here probably is meant to convey the idea of an assistant or helper.
Paul wants the Corinthians to understand, as he has stressed before, that the work he does is not by his own power or for his own glory.
Paul uses a second descriptor for himself. A steward of the mysteries of God.
The word steward is someone who is a ‘manager of household or of household affairs’. In Paul’s day a steward was someone entrusted with the management of certain affairs, such as the care of receipts and expenditures, overseeing other servants, and even sometimes children who were not yet of age.
As a steward, what does Paul says that God has made him a manager of?
The mysteries of God. Jesus used this word when he was talking to his disciples when he said, in response to their question about why he spoke in parables to the crowds.
Matthew 13:11 (ESV) 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
What does Paul mean by the mysteries of God? His words in the book of Romans, helps us understand what he means.
Romans 16:25-27 (ESV) 25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
As an apostle, as a preacher, Paul had been entrusted with the gospel, the message of Christ that revealed what had been hidden throughout God’s dealings with his people.
Don’t miss what Paul is saying. The message that he preached, the word that they believed in Corinth, did not originate from Paul or Apollos or Peter, it was given to them by God and they were simply called to manage its proclamation.
Think back to the division that was occurring within the Corinthian church. Some of them liked the way Paul preached and the way he taught, some liked Apollos because he was a skilled communicator and trained in the very best methods of communication, some like Cephas, or Paul better.
What were they judging by? The delivery of the message.
After thoroughly refuting the idea of using worldly wisdom in either presenting the gospel or judging those who present it, Paul now gives the Corinthians the right standard by which to judge its teachers and preachers.
What is the way we judge stewards, Paul says? What is required of them. ‘that they be found faithful.’
Trustworthy- the idea is a person who shows themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties.
How are stewards judged? By how faithful they are to the task given to them by their master.
As a pastor, to potential future pastors, or to our deacons or future deacons, or to our teachers or future teachers, I give you permission to ignore anyone who uses any other criteria to judge your ministry.
Many of you say so many kind things week in and week out about my teaching and preaching ministry here, and I appreciate every time someone takes the time to encourage me.
But the most wonderful compliment is not if you liked the way I said something, not if you appreciated the presentation, but that you would be able to evaluate what has been taught or said and say, that is faithful to the text. That is faithful to the gospel, that is faithful to the Bible. Pastor, you were a good steward of the mysteries of God today.
Paul says this is the right standard by which we judge our teachers and leaders.
Now, Paul may be talking about his own ministry and have in mind his role as an apostle and preacher, but the implications are applicable to each and everyone of us.
God has made you a steward over something. How can I say that so confidently? Because it’s all his.
That spouse you have, belongs to God, that child you have is God’s child, that house you live in, that job you have, God owns it all, because God created it all. Furthermore, if you are responsible for nothing else but yourself, you are still accountable to God because he is your creator!
Do you see, everyone of us from the smallest child to the oldest adult is a steward of God.
How are you measuring how you are doing? Is it by your paycheck? Is it by the praises of men? Is it by how you feel about what you are doing?
Listen, none of that is the right standard to judge how well you are stewarding. The standard is faithfulness to God.
Husbands, are you loving your wives as Christ loved the church?
Wives, are you submitting to your husbands as the church submits to Christ?Children, are you obeying your parents in the Lord?
Parents, are you bringing your children up in the admonition of the Lord?
In your job, are you working as unto the Lord?
Church member, are you looking to the Bible to instruct you in how to be a godly church member?
We could go on and on. The standard by which we judge others and ourselves must be how faithful we are to God and his word. Period. Anything less is a failure to judge rightly.
But if we are going to apply the right standard, the second element we need to have is that…
We must have the right attitude.
Let’s pick up in verse 3.
1 Corinthians 4:3-7 (ESV) 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
If I could paraphrase, Paul begins with, judge me or don’t judge me, I don’t really care.
If that sounds a little harsh, let me assure you, the way Paul says it is harsher. To me, it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you.
The word translated ‘a very small thing’ means something like ‘the very least’. The last thing I’m concerned with is how you judge me, or that matter, how any human court would judge me.
‘Would you believe?’ He says, I do not even judge myself.
Paul is not saying that he doesn’t consider whether he is being faithful, he doesn’t mean that he just does whatever he wants, what he is saying is that in the sense of investigating in order to make a judgment, he doesn’t even place himself in that seat.
Look at what he says next, even though I am not aware of anything against myself, that is I cannot bring to mind a time I have been unfaithful in my duties, even then, I am not thereby acquitted.
That is, I would not and could not declare myself righteous, or as I ought to be. Why?
Because it is the Lord who judges me.
The Lord is the one who examines me in order to pronounce judgment, the judgment seat is his.
Don’t miss what Paul is saying here. He genuinely believes that in regards to the way he has carried out his assignment as an apostle, that there is nothing for him to be ashamed of. Listen to what he says to the Jewish council when he is brought before them in Acts 23.
Acts 23:1 (ESV) And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”
But Paul recognizes that his opinion is not the highest court. He humbles himself and entrusts the judgment of his life and ministry to the true judge of man.
Which leads to his next point.
do not pronounce judgment before the time, what time is that? before the Lord comes, Why? Because he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart.
Because, while we may be able to judge the actions of another, we can never know their heart.
Which does beg the question, why Paul has spent so much time trying to help the Corinthians understand his and Apollos’ ministries?
If he doesn’t care how the Corinthians judge him, if he understands that Christ is his judge, why the three chapters full of correction?
6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written,
The word translated applied is an interesting word, most often it is translated as disguised or transformed. I like the way one commentator explained the use of this word.
(Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary) that is, I have represented under the persons of Apollos and myself what really holds good of all teachers, making us two a figure or type of all the others. I have mentioned us two, whose names have been used as a party cry; but under our names I mean others to be understood, whom I do not name, in order not to shame you [ESTIUS].
Essentially, Paul says, I have used myself as an example to you of how you should judge your leaders and teachers as well as how you should think of yourselves.
This is why in the NASB or the KJV it is translated this way.
(KJV) 6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes;
(NASB) 6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes
This whole exercise has been for your benefit Paul says.
That you may learn to not go beyond what is written, so that none of you may be puffed up or arrogant in favor of one against another.
Paul reminds them that their primary problem is one of pride. Pride in their judgment and pride in themselves. What they need is to realize that a follower of Christ is humble.
You need to humble yourself, you need to follow my example, you need to follow Christ’s example and be humble.
But just in case, they did not get it, or they didn’t know where to start, Paul is going to explain to them why they should be humble and in doing so, teach us about ourselves as well.
Verse 7- who told you there was something special about you? Or who determined that you were superior?
Paul gets immediately to the heart of the matter. Why do you think that your preference or your opinion is the most important or even of any importance at all?
I see this in the church world all the time, where people think that their opinion or their preference or their understanding somehow and in some way makes them special, so they elevate themselves and their party and try to look down on others who see things differently.
Or because they listen to a certain teacher or preacher they are somehow smarter or better.
Is the root issue of all of this not pride? Is the answer not an attitude of humility?
Paul reminds us of the reason none of us have to boast in the rest of verse 7 with two questions.
What do you have that you did not receive?
If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
I want you to take a moment and really think about that question.
What spiritual understanding, what theological understanding, what spiritual gift, what spiritual discernment do you have that you can take credit for?
What responsibility or ability do you have in the church that you can possibly take credit for?
If you can think of even one, you have misunderstood everything Paul has been saying so far in his letter.
You are also neglected what God’s word says plainly elsewhere in places like the book of James.
James 1:17-18 (ESV) 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Which brings us to Paul’s second question.
If you received it, which you did, why do you boast as if you did not?
Why do you glory in it? If God has made you a teacher or given you a gift, why is it a source of pride in your life, as though you didn’t get it from Him?
This single thought has the potential to radically change us, our interactions, and our thoughts more than any other as a believer.
Pride has no place in the believer’s life. Specifically here Paul is addressing what teachers they are priding themselves in, because whether it is Paul or Apollos or Cephas, everything they know or understand is because it is a gift from God. The right attitude in judging others of ourselves is one of humility.
In our judgment, first we need the right standard, second we need the right attitude, and finally..
We must have the right perspective.
Paul turns to irony to drive home his point in the following verses. Let’s pick up in verse 8.
1 Corinthians 4:8-13 (ESV) 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! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
You are already full, you already have an abundance, you are already elevated!
Paul says, that's who you think you are without us, and how I wish it were true, we would come and share with you because that’s not what we are experiencing at all in Christ.
In verse 9, Paul starts to share what his experience is.
It seems to me, Paul says, that God has placed us apostles as men about to die, as a spectacle to the world. Paul has a very specific imagery in mind here.
The word here is (theh'-at-ron) where we get our word theater from. In the Greco Roman world the theater was the place where the public games and dramatic spectacles were exhibited.
Paul says he feels like he has been placed in the middle of the colosseum and is engaged in a battle to the death that amounts to public execution. It’s incredibly powerful imagery.
You Corinthians are kings, we apostles are spectacles.
Paul continues the contrast.
We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ, we are weak, but you are strong, you are honored, we are shamed.
What a contrast! What irony!
Those that claim to be of Paul in order to claim some status within the church or to prove they are wiser than others ignore the fact that the world sees Paul as a fool on behalf of Christ, the word sees him as weak, the world sees him as to be shamed or pitied.
Paul goes on, to this present hour, to the very time of this writing- we hunger and thirst, poorly provided for, beaten, homeless, working diligently and with difficulty, just to make it.
When we are reviled, we praise, when we are harassed, we hold on to Christ, when they speak evil of us, we exhort and encourage.
In summary, Paul says we have become like the scum of the world- the filth of the world, the refuse of all things, dirt to be wiped away, and we’re okay with that.
According to the world you Corinthians love so much, we, your teachers and apostles are like filth that needs to be wiped away.
But we understand that these things do not indicate a thing about our standing in Christ. We are loved by him and we love him. Paul writing to the church at Rome would say it this way.
Romans 8:35-39 (ESV) 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
How counter-cultural is this?
I mean, Isn’t suffering, poverty, sickness and difficulty a sign that we do not have God’s favor, and wealth, health, success, and prosperity a sign we are enjoying God’s favor?
If you suffered like Paul did, would you be able to say, I know God loves me and I know that the most important thing is that I remain faithful in my task of proclaiming Christ to a lost world until Christ comes and makes all things right? To truly believe that the advancement of the kingdom of God and the glory of Christ are all that matter.
If not, like the Corinthians, I’m afraid we have the wrong perspective.
We do not judge ourselves or others based on their standing or situation in the world, or ours. God has not promised that on this side of heaven those that are faithful to him will experience ease and self-satisfaction, but rather trials and tribulations. We are told the world will hate us because it hated Christ.
If God took some of the most faithful, foundational believers in the church and made them a spectacle to the world, believer, why do we think that we deserve better in this world?
Not every believer is going to be called to endure the kind of things that Paul did, but every believer is called to suffer for Christ, to take up a cross and follow Him.
If we are going to judge rightly, we need a kingdom perspective.
Just because someone’s teaching is popular and their ministry seems successful, does not mean that they are being faithful and just because your ministry area is small or your influence small, does not mean that you are not being faithful.
Just because you are going through a difficult situation in the world, just because you are in need, does not mean that God loves you any less, and just because someone else seems to having an easier time and is not in need, does not mean that God loves them any more.
That is a worldly perspective not a kingdom perspective.
Conclusion-
Imagine that in our church today, we heard a testimony from a church planter that included a lack of funding, being run out of numerous towns, being beaten and left for dead, and a report from the some of the churches he had planted were worldly and immature, full of division and looked just like the world.
In our judgment we might say, that guy is doing something wrong.
Imagine that in our church today, we heard a testimony from a pastor, whose church was growing every year, whose budget was in the millions, who filled arenas with his preaching, and had been welcomed by some of the most powerful and influential people in the world.
In our judgment we might say, God is obviously blessing that man’s ministry.
Here’s the problem, I’ve just described the Apostle Paul and Joel Olsteen’s ministries.
So according to God’s word, how are we to judge rightly?
We need the right standard, how faithful are they? How faithful am I being?
We need the right attitude, everything they have and everything I have is from God and for God, and he is the ultimate judge on how faithful they were and how faithful I was.
We need the right perspective, is Christ being preached, is the kingdom advancing, is the church being strengthened from their lives or from my life.
Which element are you most struggling with right now, in judging your leaders, in judging yourself?
Are you using a different standard?
Are you proud and puffed up in yourself?
Are you measuring worldly things or heavenly things?
I pray this morning, wherever you find yourself, that you would allow God’s word to penetrate your heart and mind so that you might be shaped by it.
Let us pray.
Comments