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” (ἐν Χριστῷ, “in Christ”) before “we are weak” was not translated. That is, it should be translated as “in Christ we are weak.” Likewise, being lowly also means being lowly through Christ. "Dia Christou" was not translated.

"We have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men" (θέατρον ἐγενήθημεν τῷ κόσμῳ καὶ ἀγγέλοις καὶ ἀνθρώποις). This means, "We have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men." The "we" refers to Paul's companions. "Angels and men" signify those who preach the gospel and those who listen within the church community.

While explaining the difficulties he faced during his ministry, Paul is telling the leaders of the Corinthian church that when they look at others, they should not view themselves as great and others as lowly, but rather view them as equals in Christ. This is because ministers and saints alike are all moving forward together in Christ toward the same purpose: the preaching of the gospel. Therefore, it was to make the leaders of the Corinthian church realize their pride and to correct them.

Acts 4:15-16: "For though you have ten thousand teachers (paidagogos) in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for I have begotten you in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Therefore I exhort (parakaro) you to be imitators (ginesthe) of me."

Every difficulty the apostles face in the process of preaching the gospel is for the sake of the newly born saints. They act with the same heart as parents who devote all their devotion to a newborn child. It is truly not an easy task. However, Paul commands those in ministry to act in this way.

Paidagogos (παιδαγωγοὺς) means manager or leader. It implies that while there are many leaders in Christ, there are not many fathers. He states that he is not a leader, but has a heart like a father. The reason he used the word "father" is to convey that the saint is a being born anew. Parakaro (Παρακαλῶ) means "to summon," and ginēsthe (γίνεσθε) means "to be born" or "to come into being." It means, "I call you out, so imitate me and be born anew." In the church community, imitating Paul means treating believers as those who have been born anew. It means that while they previously lived immersed in the world, they should become those who are born solely to preach the gospel. It means that the goal or vision of life lies solely in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.

If one claims to be in Christ yet turns their heart toward the world, they cannot devote themselves to the Gospel. Therefore, Paul sent Timothy to the Corinthian church to help them realize the meaning of his ministry.

1 Corinthians 4:18-21: "Some have become arrogant, as if I will not come to you. But if the Lord permits, I will come to you soon to see not the words (ton logon) of the proud, but their power. For the kingdom of God is not in words, but in power. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a gentle heart?"

Some arrogantly say that Paul will not come to them, but Paul intends to verify what the leaders of the Corinthian church are doing. "Ton logon" (τὸν λόγον) refers to the word "ho logos." It means that the proud do not rely on the word of ho logos, but preach the word and minister relying solely on spiritual gifts. Paul intends to go to them to verify the power they exercise. It implies that their words and gifts lack power. It means that power flows from the Ho Logos only when one relies on Him.

That power is union with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If all signs manifesting spiritual gifts are not connected to the death and resurrection of the cross in this way, they are nothing more than vain gifts. Even if one receives ridicule and criticism for preaching this gospel, preaching this gospel in Christ is precisely Jesus Christ Himself preaching the gospel.

No matter what form one takes to preach the gospel, if one does not know that Jesus Christ is preaching it directly, it ultimately amounts to preaching by relying on one's own knowledge. The Ho Logos speaks as a subtle voice within the heart.

2 Peter 1:19-20: "We have the more sure word of prophecy, which is like a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all, you must know that no prophecy of Scripture is to be interpreted by oneself."

In most church communities today, how many ministers who preach the Word, or those who listen, truly speak and listen with the same heart as Paul did during the teachings of the early church? Most people are steeped in worldly doctrines and have not abandoned their hearts toward the world, reaching a dangerous level where they seem to be using their faith for the sake of the world.

It has become truly difficult to find the truth in a world where legalism, prosperity theology, and mysticism run rampant. Self-satisfaction is considered more important in faith, and the number of believers who invest time in realizing the truth within the Bible is merely small.