Today’s passage: 1 Corinthians 4:8-21
Helpful thoughts:
- The way Paul speaks of the church in these verses conveys a very worldly set of values. As if the church had wanted to hear amazing speeches, get saved, and then live a life no different than what the lost would consider to be a “good” life.
- This worldly view of life made the church think the same of the apostles as the world did. The apostles looked like foolish, weak, disreputable men (“The scum of the world, the refuse of all things.”).
- Yet, Paul tells the church, “be imitators of me.” (Verse 16)
- Paul intends to bring to Corinth the truth of God’s Word. There is more power in the clear communication of God’s Word than in an eloquent (Though errant) speech.
- In verse 21, Paul wonders whether his teaching of God’s Word will result in appreciation and commendation or in the need for discipline (Which will be addressed in the beginning of chapter 5).
Questions to consider:
- How does this passage appear to line up with Paul’s warning for Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:3? What is the world calling the truth in our day and culture?
- In what ways do we see what was happening in the church at Corinth happening in the western church today? How is this concerning? How could it also encourage us to press on (There is nothing new under the sun…)?
- Even though there were members of the church that apparently didn’t like Paul, what was he still committed to do for them? What can spiritual leaders (Pastors in the church, parents in the home, etc.) learn from Paul’s example so we can imitate him as he imitates Christ?