A Faulty View of God’s Gifts
4: 6-13
A faulty view of God’s gifts DIG: Paul saw evidence of spiritual pride, of one judging whether another believer was a “good” follower of Yeshua. Why do you think this troubled him? Paul believed emissaries should stand in last place. What does that tell you about Paul’s attitude toward status and position (particularly compared to how people weigh status and position today)? In contrast to the self-centered message of the Corinthians, what does Paul’s life exemplify? In what ways did Paul encourage the Corinthians to imitate him?
REFLECT: Your abilities and talents are gifts from God. As you identify them and begin to use them, what should keep you from thinking about how you should use them? Is there anything wrong with taking credit for your accomplishments? Why or why not? What would you personally be willing to give up to serve Messiah? How can you determine whether your service to ADONAI is Messiah centered or self-centered? How can you give God appropriate credit for the things He has accomplished through you? How can you guard against pride?
Paul finished his address by putting his finger clearly on the Corinthian problem: pride.
Groups within the Corinthian church were not only forming “fan clubs” with the names of leaders such as Paul and Apollos, but they were also developing an attitude of independence and pride among themselves. They were using recognizable names, but practicing their own brand of spirituality. So Paul goes on to apply his argument (4:1-5) directly to the Corinthians and their attitudes. This presented Paul with a genuine dilemma. On the one hand, he needed to reassert his apostolic authority, reminding them that it was his gospel (see the commentary on Romans, to see link click As – Paul’s Gospel) that brought them to faith; but on the other hand, he needed to do that without blunting the force of his argument up to his point, especially his resolve as to the servant role of an apostle (see Aw – God’s Shepherds are Merely His Servants). Nevertheless, here, Paul goes on to press the argument directly to them and their worldly attitudes. With rhetoric full of sarcasm, he goes for the jugular.114
Now in what I have said here, brothers, I have used myself and Apollos as examples to teach you not to go beyond what the TaNaKh says, proudly taking the side of one leader against another (4:6). Now, Paul proceeds to tell the Corinthians exactly why he has been using the farming (At), construction (Au), and temple metaphors (Av) . . . it was to teach them. He had gone from metaphor to metaphor, changing the images as he went along, but always intending those metaphors to be applied to himself and Apollos. In other words, in case they had somehow missed it, he now clearly tells them that he has been carrying on the argument with its various metaphors about himself and Apollos so that they might learn something, and as a result, abandon their “fan clubs” and their current pride in worldly men.
The Corinthians had gone far beyond biblical respect for shepherds, and had developed “fan clubs” that were virtually sects. As is often the case, church leaders like Paul and Apollos had no part in the fiasco, but were simply used as a focal point for the Corinthians’ own self pride. In fact, the humble example of their leaders had been rejected; therefore, Paul had to remind them of his own humility and that of Apollos.
The situation had become personal. Paul addresses his remarks to an imaginary Corinthian and is going to give three reasons to those who were against him by asking three questions.
First: After all, what makes you so special (4:7a)? It is as if Paul were saying, “Who in the world do you think you are, anyway? Why do you think you are above other believers in the church? Why do you think your “fan club” is better than any other? You are made of the same stuff as they are and have been redeemed by the same Lord. You are no better; you have nothing to boast of. What kind of self-delusion is it that allows you to put yourself in a position to judge another person’s servant?”
Second: What do you have that you didn’t receive as a gift? The Corinthians needed to understand that everything – absolutely everything – that one “has” is a gift. All is of grace; nothing is deserved, nothing is earned. As believers we have received so much. We have salvation, eternal life, the Spirit’s presence within us, His Word, His spiritual gifts, His love, and countless other blessings for which we have done nothing and can do nothing. So, what did the Corinthians have to boast about?115
Our time on earth and our energy, intelligence, opportunities, relationships, and resources are all gifts from ADONAI that He has entrusted to our care and management. We are stewards of whatever God has given us. This concept of stewardship begins with the recognition that YHVH is the Owner of everything and everyone on earth. The TaNaKh says:
The earth is ADONAI’s, with all that is in it; the world and those who live there (Psalm 24:1). We never really “own” anything during our brief stay on earth. God just “loans” everything to us while we are here. It was the LORD’s property before you arrived, and He will lend it to someone else after you die. You just get to enjoy it for a while. And because YHVH owns it, we must take care of it the best we can while we are here (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Jx – The Parable of the Bags of Gold).116
And in case they missed it, Paul drives the second question home with a third, which assumes the answer of “nothing” to the second. And since in fact it was a gift which you neither deserved or earned, why do you boast as if it weren’t (4:7)? Here is the most revealing word. Their boasting is sure evidence that they had missed the gospel of grace. Instead of recognizing that everything is a gift from God, and being filled with gratitude, they saw their gifts as their own, and therefore looked down on Paul who seemed to lack so much. Grace has a leveling effect; self-esteem has a self-exhaling effect. Grace means humility; boasting means that one is above it all.117
Precisely because of their boasting reflected such a self-centered attitude, Paul turns to sarcasm to help them see the folly in their boasting. With several short questions, he goes straight to the heart of the matter. His words are full of biting sarcasm, attacking their self-righteous view of themselves. You are filled already? You are rich already? Feeling satisfied are you? Do you really have all the spiritual food you need? Continuing with the sarcasm, Paul suggests that they had received their crowns from Messiah without assistance from him or Apollos, “You have become kings, even though we are not (4:8a)?”
Suddenly, Paul changed from sarcasm to reflection: Well, I wish you really were kings, so that we might share the kingship with you, but I have to go into the arena and suffer for the Lord Yeshua (4:8b)! Paul wished that the Messianic Kingdom had truly begun, for then the Corinthian believers would have true glory, and would really be reigning with the Lord – and with Paul and Apollos. But that was not the case. The Corinthian believers were not reigning; and as a result, they had no cause at all to boast.118
For I think God has been placing us apostles on display at the tail of the parade, like men condemned to die in the public arena (4:9a). On the return of a triumphant Roman army, the conquering general staged a splendid parade that included not only his armies, but the spoils as well. At the tail end of the parade would come a group of prisoners in chains, with the conquered king and his officers prominently displayed for all to see and mock. The prisoners were condemned to die, and would be taken to the arena to fight wild beasts. In that way they became a spectacle for all to see. Since Paul will utilize this imagery later (Second Corinthians 2:14), also in connection with his calling as an emissary, it seems likely that this is in view here. In either case, the metaphor is a striking one. For him, it truly was “like Master . . . like servant” (Matthew 20:26-27).119
Verses 9-13 can be summarized by four words: spectacles, fools, sufferers, and scum. Paul was no fool. He didn’t like suffering. He wished the Corinthians were right in their view of God’s gifts. But they weren’t. The emissaries followed the path of Messiah’s humiliation (4:9a). As Messiah marched in a triumphal procession to His death, so did they (2 Cor 2:14). As Messiah had suffered poverty and slander, so did His servants, and in His Spirit they endured and responded with grace (Lk 23:34). The emissaries lived out the message of the cross. But the Corinthians were complacent and secure with their “theology of the palace” (Amos 6:1-7).120
The sarcasm that poured out of Paul’s pen is nothing short of breathtaking. Those worldly believers at Corinth thought they were spiritually full, when in reality they were only full of themselves. They thought they were rich, when in reality they were spiritually poor. They thought they were wise, when all the while they acted like spiritual morons. They were self-righteous, self-satisfied, and filled with a misplaced sense of their own self-worth. Paul’s rebuke dripped with sarcasm.121
Spectacles: We have become a spectacle before the whole universe, angels as well as men (4:9b). The parade of a conquering Roman general above is the spectacle to which Paul refers. Sarcastically poking at the pride of the Corinthians, he states that not only is he like one of those prisoners, condemned to die in the arena, but that the spectacle is for the whole universe to see. Not just for humans to see, but for God’s angels in heaven as well.122
Fools: For Messiah’s sake we are fools according to the standards of men, but united with the Messiah you are “wise.” Then renewing the sarcasm Paul said: We are weak, but you are strong (4:10a)! It was as if Paul was saying, “Do you really think the gospel as its shepherds are foolish? Are you truly ashamed of being Yeshua’s servant? Do you actually want worldly glory, honor and recognition? The Corinthians still loved human “wisdom.” They were still tempted to look on God’s shepherds as mere babblers, just as the Athenian philosophers had done (Acts 17:18). Again, with total sarcasm: You are honored, but we are dishonored (4:10b). This is the crux of the whole matter: the Corinthians wanted the honor that came from men, not the honor that came from God. Their pride that came from men reflected a lack of proper perspective, and especially, lack of gratitude.
Sufferers: With these concluding sentences, Paul now abandons irony for straight talk. Till this very moment we go hungry and thirsty, we are dressed in rags, we are treated brutally (Greek: kolaphizometha, meaning a blow with a fist), the same way Yeshua was treated (Matthew 26:67). We wander from place to place; we exhaust ourselves working with our own hands for our living. The fact that Paul worked with his own hands as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3), would have lowered him in the eyes of many, because the Greeks despised manual labor, thinking it fit only for slaves.
When we are cursed, we keep on blessing; when we are persecuted, we go on putting up with it (4:11-12); when we are slandered, we continue making our appeal. The emissaries genuinely looked upon themselves as Messiah’s galley slaves and stewards. Their concern was to be humble and faithful. They had no time for resentment or jealousy. They understood that they were far better off than their persecutors. Knowing they would be first in Messiah’s Kingdom; they were perfectly willing to be last in this world. This gave ADONAI the opportunity to demonstrate His power in their weakness.123
Dear Heavenly Father, Praise you for making a wonderful home in heaven for all who love You. Praise You that You walk with Your children in their trials and problems. When sometimes a pain or problem seems big to us, it is a comfort to remember that problems are really only for a moment compared to the eternal peace and joy we will share with You in heaven. For I consider the sufferings of this present time not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18. Persecution can be thought of as a blessing – for it gives an opportunity to bless/serve You in a hard time and when it is done with a loving heart- brings a reward (First Cor 3:13-14). Thank you that we do not need to seek honor from people, but far more important is to seek to be honored by You – our gracious Father before whom we bow in humble worship. In Yeshua’s holy name and power of His resurrection Amen.
As I read Paul’s description of his sufferings, I wonder how many of us would be faithful to Messiah today if that were the cost. Then I remember that in many parts of the world today, there are believers who can identify with what Paul experienced.124 My wife and I support a brilliant pastor in Africa. He speaks seven languages fluently, and has started twelve churches. He preaches at crusades and leads multitudes to the Lord. But he is poor. He and his family undergo many hardships. He has been slandered and thrown in jail, beaten up by a group of Muslims and put in the hospital, and presided over the funeral of his best friend who was murdered for his faith. His faith is very humbling to me.
Scum: What was the result? We are the world’s garbage, the scum of the earth – yes, to this moment (4:13)! The Corinthians might claim high status, but Paul was under no illusion regarding his status in this world. Scum and garbage are synonyms, and refer to scraps and layers of filth scoured off of dirty dishes and thrown away. The words are commonly used figuratively of the lowest, most tainted criminals, who were often sacrificed in pagan ceremonies. This is the way the world looked at the emissaries. They were religious scum and garbage, and no better than the criminals like whom they were often treated.
It is not hard for believers to get along in this world as long as they keep their head down and the Good News to themselves. But if they preach, teach and live God’s full Word, the world takes great offense: All who want to live a godly life united with Messiah Yeshua will be persecuted (Second Timothy 3:12). The world resents being under the light of truth. Satan is the god of this world and the ruler of darkness. His kingdom cannot stand the light of the gospel and will try to persecute and destroy those who stand for it and live it. The world will attempt to scour off and throw away anyone who boldly proclaims the Word.
We are not Scum and garbage in the sight of ADONAI; nevertheless, we are servants and stewards. Therefore, neither in the world’s eyes nor in God’s eyes do we have reason to boast in ourselves. That which the Lord loves, and that which eventually will bring us our gold, silver and precious stones (3:12), is a humble and obedient spirit. Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the right time he may lift you up (First Peter 5:13). Thus, Paul ends his rebuke of the Corinthians’ proud, divisive spirit.125
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