1 Corinthians 4 (Pt 1)


1 Corinthians 4:5-6 (ESV)
[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.

The word in verse 6 translated “arrogant” in the NAS and “puffed up” in the ESV is used 6 times in the first letter to the Corinthians. There was division in the church over whom to follow, Paul, Apollos, Peter, or Christ. Arrogance was the issue. There was arrogance over sin that was being excused in the church. There was arrogance regarding spiritual gifts. There was arrogance regarding who had the most knowledge. “Puffed up,” is a good translation. The literal idea is exactly that; to be puffed up, blown up; to think of yourself as bigger than you really are; pride and arrogance. There is no room in the church for arrogance. There is no place in the Kingdom of God for pride. As a believer in Jesus Christ I do not have the right to look down my nose at a fellow servant of Christ. If anyone had a right to be arrogant toward the Corinthian believers it might be Paul. Certainly he should have been considered superior to the Corinthian Christians and yet Paul did not display that attitude. He simply referred to himself as a servant of Christ and a steward “of the mysteries of God” (1 Cor 4:1). Too often we like to think of ourselves as purveyors of the mysteries of God, or leaders and people of influence in the church of God. But here is Paul, a servant and a steward. A steward is literally a subordinate executing official orders. Servants are the ones in the room who gathers no attention to themselves. The Apostle Paul does not view himself as someone of prestige or importance, but as a servant. In Paul’s mind there is no room for arrogance. Ministry is not about attention and importance. It is about Jesus.

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