1 Corinthians 4:14-21
Q.1. What gave Paul the right to confront the Corinthian church? What was the substance of his appeal? How did he support his appeal? How could Timothy help the church? – (1 Cor.4:14-17)
Paul wrote to the Corinthians as if they were his children – For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel (1 Cor.4:15). He wanted the Corinthians to ‘imitate him’. He was sending the ever-reliable Timothy to confirm how Paul lived, and what he taught in all the other churches (1 Cor.4:16-17). Could we ask other Christians to follow our example?
Q.2. What made some of the leaders arrogant? In what way is the kingdom of God more than words? How can we recognise power in a ministry? What was Paul’s hope? – (1 Cor.4:18-21)
Some of the Corinthians Christians had become arrogant because of their giftedness, and their belief that Paul would not revisit them (1 Cor.4:7 & 18). Paul suggested that the Kingdom of God was more than a message but should be attended with power (1 Cor.4:19). To what power was Paul referring? The church at Corinth demonstrated many of the gifts, yet Paul wrote 1 Corinthians chapter 13 to address the need for Christ-like character. It had been tough to establish the church at Corinth, and Paul had been forced out of the synagogue there. He had then devoted himself to the Gentiles (Acts.18:5-6). In fact, the Lord spoke to him in a vision, promising that he would be given enough time to establish the church. He did this for some 18 months (Acts 18:10-11). Wherever Paul shared the Gospel, people were saved. However, the proud Corinthian leaders caused division (c.f. 1 Cor.10-13; 3:1—4). Paul hoped that they would respond and recognise that – the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power (1 Cor.4:20).