11. FOOLS FOR CHRIST'S SAKE - 1 Corinthians 4:9-13

 

In this passage Paul moves from the position of the Corinthians to that of his own position and that of the rest of his missionary team. In fact the position described by Paul covers all the apostles, none yet having arrived at what the Corinthians vainly thought that they had arrived at. Paul paints a picture for us that is far different to the seemingly elevated position of the Corinthians (4:6-8). Paul actually gives the Corinthians a more realistic portrayal of Christian life in a fallen world.

 

Please Read 1 Corinthians 4:6-13

 

NOTE: INDIVIDUAL DISCOVERY QUESTION HERE: With regard to the context, why does Paul describe the sufferings that he has gone through?

 

Verse 9: Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians not long after the riot that had occurred in Ephesus as recorded in Acts 19:23-41. Rather than the picture of an apostle that had arrived spiritually, Paul’s picture of life in the real world as a Christian is far different. He, the other apostles and his team do not yet reign as kings, being regarded far differently in the world at the present time. Far from reigning as a king, Paul faced the constant dangers of being a Christian in a fallen world, including the threat of death for maintaining a faithful testimony. Yes, he too would like to reign as a king (4:8), for all his present suffering would be ended.

Paul begins by asserting the divine appointment of the apostles to their various areas of ministry, but also to their place in the opinion of the world. Rather than being the reigning kings the apostles seem more like the captured slaves of an enemy in this world, facing all manner of torment and persecution, even to the point of being appointed to martyrdom. While the apostles face all manner of ridicule and threats, the fallen world watches them and continues to pour ridicule upon them, becoming something of an entertainment to them.

Yet there are angels watching the unfolding events also. These angels are there to minister to Christ’s servants and to fulfil the Lord’s commands. They watch in amazement, observing apostles that for Christ’s sake suffer daily. Here then is the lot of the apostles in this world and to a degree all Christians also.

QUESTION: What would the angels role be in watching these events unfold?

 

Verse 10: From the human viewpoint the apostles are regarded as fools (including the viewpoint of some of the Corinthians), for they continually face death and persecution, yet will not give up Christ. The Corinthians however consider themselves wise because they have adopted worldly wisdom and behave like the world. They consider that they are the truly wise in Christ and that the apostles are on a level somewhere below them. Even the world agreed with this assessment about the Corinthians and the apostles.

The apostles are regarded as weak and are treated with contempt by the world (and some of the Corinthians), while the Corinthians are regarded as strong and respectable by the world and themselves. Yet things are not what they seem in this world, for though earthly honour may be placed upon the Corinthians, the reality is that spiritual honour is being placed upon the apostles and not the Corinthians. For true spiritual honour and wisdom, the Corinthians needed to see that they were not in the place of the truly honoured and wise.

QUESTION: Why were the Corinthians not in the place of the truly wise, strong and honoured? Explain.

 

Verse 11-13: In these verses Paul paints a more accurate picture of what true believers should expect in this world. It is a far cry from the Corinthian expectation and experience. In reality Christians face a hostile world opposed to Christ and His church. As a result of this opposition the church faces almost constant harassment and persecution. The result of this is often hunger, thirst, destitution, homelessness and physical attacks (Acts 16:37, 2 Cor 11:23ff). The Corinthians having become like the world know little of this sort of opposition and lack of popularity.

Our situation in Australia should not be regarded as the norm, for we are somewhat removed from this normal Christian experience (as the wider church would testify). Many in our churches regard themselves as wise, strong, etc, for they have an accepted position and testimony in the world. This is not because they have become fools for Christ’s sake, but exactly the opposite. They have become truly fools, having adopted the world’s wisdom, thereby becoming truly weak. Christianity's experience in this country is more the result of adopting Corinthian attitudes to the world than to adopting a true witness for Christ.

QUESTIONS: Comment on the above thoughts regarding Christianity in Australia. Do you agree or disagree with them? Give reasons for your answer.

 

The apostles needed to make ends meet by working themselves (Acts 18:3; 20:34; 1 Cor 9:6ff; 1 Thess 2:9; 2 Thess 3:8). They had a right to support from the church, but often didn’t use it. Because of daily opposition to the gospel and to Christ, the apostles were often poorly fed, clothed and sheltered. They were also further treated with contempt because they usually did work that was most often left to slaves.

Rather than strike back at this opposition with the weapons of the world, the apostles do far differently. Though poorly treated by the world, the apostles sought the best for the world. They sought to bring the gospel to men who hated them. When reviled they sought blessing for their persecutors (Lk 6:28; Rom 12:14). They stood fast in the midst of suffering, continuing on faithfully serving the Lord (Mt 5:10ff; Rom 12:14; 2 Cor 12:10; 2 Thess 1:4; 2 Tim 3:11,12). When verbally abused the apostles only returned kind words (1 Pet 2:12,23; 3:16).

In short the apostles are regarded as far less than men, even as the refuse of the world. He is basically saying that they are regarded by the world as its excrement. They are that which needs to be cleaned away so that the world can become a better place. This is society’s real opinion of the church and of Christians. In this world this is the real picture of Christ’s true servants. This is the place where the Corinthians also should be if they had made any true progress in Christianity - not a place of immunity from it.

QUESTIONS: How are you regarded by society? If you are regarded highly, where do you fit in this passage? Give reasons for your opinion.

 

Individual Discovery

To what extent were the Christians in Corinth expected to imitate Paul (see 1 Cor 4:16)?

 

All Bible Studies by the webmaster may be freely copied, printed and distributed. We ask only that the site name and homepage URL be included in all copies distributed. This Bible Study is by Kevin Matthews. Thankyou.

To assist in the study of 1 Corinthians Aussie Outpost is developing The Outpost Study Bible and other Bible Study Aids. Links to these further resources are listed below:

 

Outpost Homepage
CORINTHIANS BIBLE STUDIES
BIBLE STUDIES PAGE
NEXT STUDY IN SERIES
TOP

17/10/2006

AN OUTPOST PRODUCTION