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We are foolish for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ.

  We are foolish for Christ ’ s sake, but you are wise in Christ.   1 Corinthians 4:9-10: “ I think that God has placed us, the apostles, at the end as those destined for death; we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are foolish for Christ ’ s sake, but you are wise in Christ (en Christou). We are weak, but you are strong; you are honorable, but we are lowly. ” Paul is explaining to them the suffering he has endured. He is saying that he has become lowly in the eyes of people and appears as though he were destined for death. He is saying that this happened because of Christ. However, Paul is telling the leaders of the Corinthian church that since they have become wise through Christ, they should not look at him or the ordinary believers of the church as foolish. The phrase “ en Christou ” ( ἐ ν Χριστ ῷ , “ in Christ ” ) before “ we are weak ” was not translated. That is, it should be translated as “ in Christ we are weak. ” Likewise, bein...
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For I desire that you become kings

  For I desire that you become kings   1 Corinthians 4:7-8: "Who distinguishes you from others (diakrinei)? What do you have that you did not receive? Since you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? You are already full, you are already rich, and you have become kings without us. For we desire that you become kings, that we may reign with you." Paul points out the pride of the Corinthian church. Diakrinei ( διακρ ί νει ) refers to the belief (of ministers) that they are superior to others. Paul is asking them, "Do you boast that you alone received the gift while others did not?" It implies that the leaders of the Corinthian church were wealthy and reigned like kings. Paul praises the leaders for fulfilling their role as royal priests well, but he is telling them to reign with the saints. It is saying that not only ministers are royal priests, but that all believers, including Paul himself, must serve as royal priests. 1 Peter 2:9: ...
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Do not go beyond what is written.

  Do not go beyond what is written.   1 Corinthians 4:6: "Brothers, I have used myself and Apollos as examples for you in this matter, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written (metheschematisa), and not to become arrogant against one another (kata tou heteron)." This implies that Paul and Apollos were well-versed in the Scriptures. Therefore, it means that if one acts according to the Scriptures, one will not go astray. Meteschematisa ( μετεσχημ ά τισα ) means changing the form or outward appearance. It signifies distorting the Scriptures. Kata tou heteron ( κατ ὰ το ῦ ἑ τ έ ρου ) means "following others." These others are those who have not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. An arrogant heart means trying to rise above others and dominate them. The phrase “ Do not go beyond what is written ” means not to follow the literal text recorded in the Bible, but to follow the words spoken by the Ho Logos. In most cases, the written text...
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Do Not Judge Anything Until the Lord Comes

  Do Not Judge Anything Until the Lord Comes   1 Corinthians 4:3-5: "It is a very small matter to me that I should be judged (anacrido) by either you or by others. I do not even judge myself, for I am not aware of anything to reproach myself for, but by this I am not justified. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not judge anything before the time comes, that is, until the Lord comes. He will bring to light things hidden in darkness and will reveal the intentions of the heart. Then each person will receive praise from God." Anakrido ( ἀ νακριθ ῶ ) is a compound word of Ana ( ἀ να : above: Kingdom of God) and Krido ( κριθ ῶ : judgment). Anakrido signifies God's judgment. It means that it is a very small matter for you or others to judge me. This is because judgment is something God does, and human judgment is of no significance. "Before the time comes" means before Jesus returns. The point is that Jesus will judge when He returns, and that He Himse...
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Workers of Christ and Stewards of God's Mysteries

  Workers of Christ and Stewards of God's Mysteries   1 Corinthians 4:1-2: "Let people regard us as workers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. And what is required of stewards (tois oikonomois) is faithfulness (pist ó s)." Paul is speaking about the identity of a Christian. He is that they are ministers and stewards of God's mysteries. Tois oikonomois ( το ῖς ο ἰ κον ό μοι ς ) means steward, and pist ó s ( πιστ ός ) means faith. If one seeks faith, it is given from heaven, as stated in Galatians 3:25. "Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the tutor." God's mysteries are mysteries from before the creation of the world; Jesus revealed these mysteries to His disciples, but He said He kept them a mystery to others. He also expressed these mysteries through the parable of the sower. The Parable of the Sower describes sowing seeds in the field of the heart, signifying that the seeds grow and bear fruit for those whose heart has...
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