Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

What does 1st Corinthians Chapter 4 mean?

Paul’s words to the Christians in Corinth become more stern and pointed as he comes to the end of the first section of his letter to them. Paul has pointed out that these believers are acting like spiritual children (1 Corinthians 3:1–2). One of the things Paul has been challenging the Corinthians about is how they have divided themselves based on which of their Christian leaders they are loyal to (1 Corinthians 1:10–13).

In doing so, they have set themselves against some of the other leaders, such as Paul, Apollos, and Peter. They have made themselves judges in this way. Paul begins 1 Corinthians 4 by agreeing that he and the other ministers are servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In that role, it does matter that they are faithful, and the Lord will judge their works when the time comes. Paul, though, is not worried about the opinion of the Corinthians or anyone else. They are not his judges. He refuses even to judge himself. That is the Lord’s work (1 Corinthians 4:1–5).

The Corinthians must not puff themselves up to put themselves in the position of judging one of their ministers against another. In doing so, Paul strongly affirms the principle that God’s written Word—and not human tradition or opinion—is the ultimate arbiter of our faith. When personal opinion is elevated to the same status as God’s Word, bickering and division will result. As Paul says, believers are far from perfect, themselves. The good that is in their lives has been received from God as a gift. Why would they boast about something that has been given to them as if they had it all along (1 Corinthians 4:6–7)?

Paul uses sarcasm to describe their attitude of pride and self-reliance instead of humility and dependence on God. Why would they need anything from God? They already have everything they want, right? They are rich. They have become kings. Paul satirically wishes they really were kings, so he could be a king, too, instead of living under persecution and in poverty. He begins to show the differences between his life as an apostle and their lives of status-seeking and wealth-gathering in Corinth. He is not complaining. He sees his life as an apostle as one put on display by God before the world as a man condemned to death (1 Corinthians 4:8–9).

Paul and the other apostles appear to the world as fools for Christ’s sake. The Corinthians see themselves as wise. The apostles are weak and dishonorable in worldly terms. The Corinthians wish to be strong and respected in their culture. Paul and the other apostles live in poverty. They are hungry, homeless, and beat up by life. They must do manual labor to support themselves, in addition to the work of ministry. They are mistreated, insulted, persecuted, and slandered, though they follow Jesus’ example of blessing those who harm them. In short, they are considered the scum of the earth in the world’s eyes (1 Corinthians 4:10–13).

Paul insists that he does not write these things to make the Corinthians feel bad about living for status and wealth and comfort. Instead, he hopes his strong words will help them to change the course of their lives. Since he led them to Christ, he is like their spiritual father. Paul is not attempting to claim some title, or honor (Matthew 23:9), but only to explain his loving care for their spiritual growth. These are his beloved “children,” spiritually speaking. He wants them to go beyond understanding his teaching; he wants them to imitate how he lives it out in his own life. He is sending Timothy to them to show them how to do that (1 Corinthians 4:14–17).

Paul is also planning to come to see them himself, to confront those who are arrogant with the genuine power of God as displayed in the Holy Spirit. In the ancient world, just as today, people often “talk tough” when they don’t think they’ll be confronted face-to-face. Paul asks a very reasonable question: would they prefer him to come with a rod of correction, or in a spirit of gentleness (1 Corinthians 4:18–21)?

Chapter Context
First Corinthians 4 continues Paul’s insistence to the Corinthian Christians to stop making themselves judges of each other. Only the Lord’s judgment matters. They are living as if their wealth and status are all they need, while the apostles serve Christ in poverty and under persecution, imitating Christ. Paul urges them to change course and imitate his life. Paul will continue his increasingly stern tone in chapter 5, where he will confront appalling examples of sin in the church at Corinth.

Verse by Verse

Verse 1. This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Building on the end of chapter 3, Paul writes that the Corinthian Christians should think of Paul, Apollos, and other ministers in a very specific way. They should think of them as servants of Christ. Paul has described them as laborers given a specific task to do in the master’s field (1 Corinthians 3:5–9).

Paul is emphasizing this in order to urge the Corinthians to stop dividing themselves into factions based on loyalty to specific Christian teachers. So long as their messages are equally in agreement with the gospel (Galatians 1:8–9; 2 Peter 2:1), it is a waste of time to follow servants rather than the Master. Paul wants his readers to follow Jesus Christ, first and foremost, not men like himself or Apollos.

Paul adds that one task assigned to Christian teachers, as servants of Christ, is to be stewards of the mysteries of God. A “steward” is a person who manages something he does not own, on behalf of the one who does own it. It is an important job, but it is still a servant’s job.

The mysteries or secret things of God include the gospel, the teaching that those who come to God by faith in Christ and His death for sin on the cross can receive salvation. These “secret things” can be understood only by those who receive this revelation from God through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:7–10).

Context Summary
First Corinthians 4:1–13 begins with Paul’s insistence that he is not concerned with anyone’s judgment of him. The Lord will judge him, and that’s what matters. The Corinthians have become arrogant in their judgment, forgetting that all the good they have is a gift. They feel self-reliant in their wealth and status while Paul and the other apostles live in poverty and under persecution, thought to be scum by the world. Still, they imitate Jesus by blessing those who mistreat them and continuing to serve Christ no matter the cost.

Verse 2. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

Paul has described himself and other ministers in the church as stewards of the mysteries of God. A “steward” is someone who manages something that does not belong to him. For instance, a wealthy man may give a trusted servant the job of managing his investments or the running of his household.

Obviously, then, for one to be trusted as a steward, he or she must be considered faithful. That means they need to have a reputation as someone who tells the truth, does not steal, and lives with integrity. This seems obvious.

Paul is making the connection that he and the other Christian teachers must also be found faithful by God in order to serve as stewards of the revealed mysteries of God. They must be trustworthy people of high integrity. Paul will continue by suggesting, however, that the ultimate measure of his trustworthiness comes from God, not from other people. While it’s important that Christian leaders have a good reputation (1 Timothy 3:7), their real responsibility is to the Lord.

Verse 3. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.

Paul has described himself and other Christian teachers who have ministered to the Corinthians as stewards of the revealed mysteries of God. They are servants assigned to the task of delivering the gospel message, among other things. Paul has been urging the Christians to be united in following Christ instead of bickering about to which Christian teacher they should pledge loyalty.

The role of a steward—a servant who manages his master’s property—is an important one. Stewards must be found to be faithful people of high integrity, working with excellence and honesty.

Paul is aware that the Corinthians and others have put themselves in the place of judging the worthiness of Paul, Apollos, Peter, and other ministers and deciding if they are faithful enough. Paul now shrugs off their judgment, calling it a very small thing to be judged by them or even by a human court.

It’s not that Paul is declaring himself above their judgments because of his position as an apostle or even because he is convinced of his own excellent performance. He will make clear in the following verses that their judgments don’t matter because they are not the judge. The Lord will judge him, and it is pointless to speculate about what that judgment will be before the moment arrives.

Paul adds that he is not even qualified to judge himself. Who would know Paul’s motives and effectiveness better than Paul? If he cannot adequately judge himself, why should he worry about the opinions of human judges? That doesn’t mean Paul is claiming to be perfect, as the next verse will show.

Verse 4. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

Paul has described himself as a steward of God’s revealed mysteries. A steward is a servant entrusted with managing something he does not own. That’s why a steward must be found faithful as a person of high integrity.

Paul has insisted, though, that he does not worry about people’s opinions of his faithfulness. It’s not that he is arrogant. In fact, he said in the previous verse that he doesn’t even judge himself. In essence, he is saying the only opinion that should matter to a servant is his master’s opinion.

It’s not that Paul has no self-awareness, at all. He thinks about how he is doing. He presumably follows his own advice to “test” himself (2 Corinthians 13:5). He reports that he is not aware of anything against himself, any lack of integrity or failure in carrying out his duties.

That doesn’t mean he is innocent, though. Paul knows well the truth of Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things.” His point in these verses is not that he’s beyond reproach, or perfect, or that he thinks he’s infallible. Rather, Paul is simply saying that no human being’s opinion—even of themselves—matters in comparison to that of God. In the end, the only verdict of his work as a steward that matters is the Lord’s, and Paul will wait for that.

Verse 5. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

Paul understands himself to be the Lord’s steward, given the task of managing the delivery of the revelation of the Lord’s mysteries about Christ and Him crucified, among other things. He agrees that stewards must be found to be faithful. He has rejected any human judgment of his integrity and performance in that role, however. Whatever the Corinthians or others may think of his work among them, it does not matter much. In fact, he knows even he is unqualified to judge himself. In this teaching, Paul is neither claiming to be flawed, nor perfect—merely noting that it is God’s judgment, not man’s, which matters.

With that in mind, Paul tells his readers to quit the work of pronouncing judgment on the quality of another person’s service to the Lord. Rather, they should wait for the Lord to come and pronounce the final verdict. God’s verdict is the only one that matters, and He is the only one qualified to evaluate what is inside of a person, the purposes of someone’s heart that are hidden in darkness from human eyes (1 Samuel 16:7).

Based on the Lord’s verdict, each servant will receive praise from God. This echoes what Paul wrote about the day of Christ’s judgment of the work of believers in the previous chapter (1 Corinthians 3:13).

Verse 6. I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

Paul continues to mention an issue dividing the Corinthian church. They have separated into factions based on which Christian teacher they follow, and which ones they don’t. Put another way, they have made themselves judges of those who minister to them, deciding which is faithful and effective and which is not. If it’s enough to make them separate into bickering factions, then such judgment must be strong. The believers of Corinth are giving a great deal of weight to their personal views.

Paul has written in the previous verses that only God is qualified to judge the work of His servants. Humans cannot see into the heart of a person, so the Corinthians must stop pronouncing judgment in this way.

Paul now shows that, for their benefit, he has applied his own teaching to himself and Apollos. He is showing them, by his example, how not to declare themselves judges. This is an important concept. To judge another person, when that is not your role, is an act of pride. We puff ourselves up in arrogance when we decide our vote about who is better is what matters most. In truth, this division among the Corinthians existed because of pride and selfishness. It wasn’t because of any meaningful differences between those who served as ministers (Romans 14:1; Titus 3:9; Galatians 1:8–9).

Also crucial, Paul has established an example for how to follow the written word given by God, and not to go beyond it. This is a clear statement of a doctrine referred to as sola scriptura, or “Scripture alone.” The believers of Corinth are treating their preferences and opinions as if they were more important than the objective written Word of God. Paul explicitly tells them that their own leaders—men like Paul and Apollos—don’t presume to go outside of the bounds of Scripture, and neither should they.

This concept is fundamental to our understanding of doctrine and the Christian life. No other source is as authoritative as the Bible, since it’s the unchanging message of God accessible to all people. Feelings, opinions, spiritual experiences, philosophical arguments, and human traditions cannot outweigh the Word of God. That which is not biblical is not true, period.

Verse 7. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

Paul has stated outright that division between Christians based on which minister they favor is an act of pride. Given that both are preaching the real gospel (Galatians 1:8–9), such divisions are sinful (Titus 3:9; John 17:22; 1 Corinthians 1:10). The believers of Corinth have effectively declared themselves judges without being given that job by the Lord and without being qualified to do so. They have puffed themselves up in their own minds, making their own opinions the most important thing to them.

Paul now begins to show, with a series of pointed questions, how their attitude of superiority makes little sense. His tone here is rhetorical—making the expected answer clear—and even sarcastic.

First, he asks: who sees anything different in them? What is it that makes them so special, above and beyond anyone else? What qualities do they have that other Christians lack, giving them the right to judge their ministers and each other? The answer, of course, is that they are not different from other Christians; they are equally as significant in the eyes of Christ.

Next Paul asks what they have that they did not receive? In other words, what valuable qualities or abilities do any of them have that have not been given to them by God? That answer should be even more obvious. Every good thing any of us have is a gift from God (James 1:17), including every talent and personality trait.

Finally, Paul asks if the only good in them that they have was received as a gift from God, how can it possibly make any sense to boast about it? How can they take pride and elevate their own opinion above that of other believers if every bit of good in them came from outside of themselves by God’s grace?

It’s not just that our pride and arrogance toward each other is wrong, it’s also that it is a deeply foolish way to think of ourselves.

Verse 8. Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!

In the previous verse, Paul asked a series of pointed questions to show how foolish it was for the Corinthian Christians to be so proud and arrogant in their judgments of other people. Now he uses a series of emphatic remarks. Justifiably, many translations place exclamation points at the end of each of these sentences. Paul uses pointed words, even sarcasm.

His intent is to show that the Corinthians felt they did not need anything from anyone, including those serving as ministers. They had come to a wrong conclusion about life in Christ on this earth, thinking that it could be an easy road full of pleasure, possessions, and power.

Paul says that the Corinthians Christians are so self-reliant that they are acting as wealthy people who already have all they want instead of as people who have much to gain from Christ. They are living as if they are kings, passing judgment on others and doing as they please when they please. They are not living as people under authority and in submission to God’s will.

Paul’s last statement in this verse is cutting and satirical: “That reality sounds good to me! I wish it were true so I could live that way, too!” He will show in the following verses that his lifestyle is quite different from theirs.

Some Bible teachers believe the Corinthians began to misunderstand Christian teachings, thinking they should be experiencing the pleasure and authority of heaven on this side of eternity. Others believe Paul means they are simply acting as if they don’t need and are not accountable to Christ. Either way, their “puffed up” attitudes (1 Corinthians 4:6) show they have a flawed view of their own place in the kingdom of God.

Verse 9. For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.

Paul has called out the Corinthian Christians for their arrogance in judging others and for their lavish lifestyles of self-reliant wealth and self-appointed power. Sarcastically, he has said they are living as if they are kings—and he wishes he could do the same!

Now Paul points to himself and the other apostles of Jesus to show the contrast between their lifestyles and attitudes and that of the Corinthians. He wants the believers in Corinth to see the true path of those who live as servants of Christ. Paul writes that God has made him and the other apostles an exhibit of life at the bottom, in terms of earthly values.

Instead of living as kings, as the Corinthians seem to be trying to do, Paul and the other apostles live as condemned men living on death row. Their lives are on display as a spectacle for all to see in both the natural and supernatural worlds. Both angels and men are watching how poorly they live in human terms and making judgments about their choices.

Paul wants the Corinthians to see two things. For one, he wants them to understand how much those who serve them have sacrificed in order to do the will of God. Second, he wants them to expect that a life spent in service to Christ may include pain and loss of comfort instead of wealth and power.

Verse 10. We are fools for Christ ‘s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.

Paul is comparing the spiritual lifestyles of those in Corinth with that of the apostles of Jesus. He wants them to see what it has cost those who minister to them to serve Christ in this way. Maybe more than that, however, Paul also wants them to question whom they are truly serving as they continue to lead lives marked by wealth and power.

To the world, Paul’s lifestyle says that he is foolish. He has failed to earn for himself either wealth or status by the standards of his culture (1 Corinthians 1:18–25). This is the natural result of serving Christ, Paul insists.

By contrast, Paul accuses the Corinthians of being “wise in Christ.” Perhaps Paul means they are judged by their neighbors to be wise for their faith. He might be suggesting they are living in ways approved by the world’s standards, and yet claiming to be in Christ. Given the pagan, ungodly culture of Corinth, Paul may be asking them, “What is wrong with this picture?”

In a similar way, Paul and the other apostles are considered weak for their seemingly-foolish commitment to teaching the spiritual truths of God. The Corinthians appear to be strong, somehow, in spite of supposedly holding the same commitments. According to this interpretation, the Corinthian Christians are respected by their neighbors. Paul and the other apostles, on the other hand, are disrespected, not thought to be reputable or trustworthy by the same culture. This is all due to their teaching about Christ.

In short, what does it mean when a wicked culture approves of the lifestyle and faith of one who claims to be a Christian? At the least, it suggests there is a gap between how that person ought to be living, and how they really are living.

The other sense that Paul may be using here is that the Corinthian are thriving in their community, in part, because of the great sacrifices of those who have ministered to them. They have good standing in the world that has been provided for them, in part, by the work of those who have so little. The very fact of their Christian community and mutual love might be giving them an aura of success to the world, while the apostles were building in the face of active persecution.

In either case, the contrast between their lifestyle and that of their ministers is striking.

Verse 11. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless,

Paul continues to describe daily reality for the apostles who serve Christ by ministering to others. He has contrasted the relatively wealthy and respected position that the Corinthians appear to hold with the apostles’ lives of being regarded as foolish by the world and having little to show for it in earthly terms.

Paul now stops the comparison to focus on the great lack that he and the other apostles are experiencing. They live with the constant reality of hunger and thirst. They don’t have much clothing, and it is certainly not fashionable by the standards of the day. They are beaten up by the realities of the world—in some cases, literally, physically beaten—for the sake of Christ. Their lives are dangerous, as the Corinthians likely remember well from Paul’s time with them.

Finally, Paul and the other apostles are said to be homeless. Paul spent his life as a traveling evangelist and missionary, likely staying with generous hosts and in rented rooms. He never settled down into a home of his own. His specific service to Christ would not allow it.

Paul continues to describe the hardships of living as a minister and apostle of Christ in the following verses, but he also begins to describe their strong and positive response to these conditions.

Verse 12. and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;

Paul is describing the difficult life of hardship that comes with serving Christ as an apostle. Not only are they thought foolish and given little respect in the eyes of the world, but they live with hunger, thirst, poor clothing, beatings, and no homes to call their own.

Now Paul adds to this that it’s even necessary for them to provide their own way by working other jobs of manual labor on the side. The Corinthians would remember well that Paul worked with his own hands as a tentmaker when he was with them. That’s when he met and partnered with Priscilla and Aquila in tent-making and in the ministry of leading others to Christ (Acts 18:1–5; 18).

In spite of all of this hardship, Paul and the other apostles do not live in defeat and discouragement. He begins to describe how they respond to their circumstances. In short, they respond as Christ Himself did during the difficult years of His own ministry on earth.

Paul writes that when they are reviled or insulted, they give back blessing to those who treat them disrespectfully. When they are persecuted for Christ’s sake, they don’t give up. They keep going. This is possible because they understand that this is what comes with serving Christ, who also suffered greatly.

Verse 13. when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

Paul has written that he and the other disciples have a specific strategy for how to respond when they are treated badly in their service to Christ. In short, they respond as Christ taught and did Himself when he was also mistreated (Matthew 5:38–48).

He has written, in the previous verse, that when the apostles are insulted, they give blessing in return. They don’t let persecution stop them. They keep going. Now he adds that when they are slandered, meaning that people say false and hurtful things to damage their reputations, they respond with kindness.

Paul sums up how he and the other apostles are thought of by the unbelieving world. They are like the scum of the earth. They are like garbage, to be thrown away. It’s not just that the larger world sees them as nothing. The world regards them as something detestable that must be removed.

It will become clear that Paul is not asking for pity from the Corinthians. He wants them to see that they should not expect a life spent in service to Christ to be one of great wealth or status in the world’s eyes. In addition, he wants them to understand the sacrifice being made on their behalf by those who minister to them.

Verse 14. I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

In the previous verses, Paul has compared the lives and lifestyles of the Christians in Corinth with those of himself and the other apostles. While the Corinthians see themselves as self-reliant, acting judgmentally and seeking to gain wealth and status alongside the unbelievers in their culture, Paul and the others who minister to them live in poverty, foolish in the eyes of the world and mistreated for Christ’s sake.

Now Paul declares that he hasn’t described these differences in their attitudes and status to make the Corinthian Christians feel ashamed. In other words, Paul’s goal in this letter isn’t just to scold them and make them feel bad. He wants more for them than that. He wants them to change.

Paul compares himself to a father and his readers to his beloved children. He speaks to them this way because he cares deeply for them. His hope is that his words, though hard to hear, will provoke them to change the course of their lives.

Context Summary
First Corinthians 4:14–21 focuses on Paul’s role as spiritual father to the Corinthians, since he is the one who led them to Christ. He urges them to change their attitudes and behaviors and to imitate his example in living out the gospel. He sent Timothy to show them what that looks like, and he hopes to come himself to confront their arrogant talk with the power of God. Do they want him to come with the rod of correction or in love with the spirit of gentleness?

Verse 15. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Paul has spoken somewhat harshly to the Christians in Corinth about their attitudes and behavior (1 Corinthians 4:6–8). He has insisted, though, that his goal is not to make them feel badly about themselves. Instead, he considers them to be beloved children, and he is hoping to help them turn around and go in a better direction.

Now Paul says outright that he became their “father” when he led them to faith in Jesus by preaching the gospel to them. We should note that Paul is not asking to be referred to by that title, or any title (Matthew 23:8–12). His intent here is to explain his role in their spiritual life, not to take on an office or job description. Paul often describes himself as a spiritual father to those who trust in Christ as a result of his ministry. He uses this metaphor both to describe his love for those under his care and to claim some amount of responsibility and authority in their lives.

The word for “guides” is one used in Greek culture for a family guardian: someone to protect and discipline the children. Paul writes that the Corinthians have countless guides—self-professed guardians or tutors—but only one “father.” In the Greek, the word myrious is translated as “countless,” and literally means “ten thousand.” This is the ancient equivalent of a modern person using exaggeration by saying, “I’ve told you a million times…”

This is a bit of sarcasm, with a specific point. The Corinthians have been dividing over loyalty to individual Christian leaders (1 Corinthians 1:10–13). Paul compares these other leaders, and their abundance, to overseers of children to show that the Corinthians have only one figure acting as a “spiritual” father in their Christian walk.

Verse 16. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

Little children often develop by imitating their fathers. Paul has compared his role in the spiritual lives of the Corinthians as that of a father. He sees them as his beloved children. He is writing harsh words to them about their attitudes and behavior because of his fatherly concern for them.

Now Paul urges them to pattern their lives after his. This is not pride and ego at work. Paul is not trying to set himself up as a kind of cult leader. He is not asking to be called by the title of “father,” or demanding any other honor. He does not want to take the place of Christ in their lives. Instead, he is describing the pattern of Christian discipleship. He is saying to the Corinthians, “I have taught you what to believe, now follow my example of how to live it out.”

Paul mentions Timothy in the following verse, a man discipled by Paul who has joined in Paul’s ministry. Paul wrote to Timothy that he should be, to those under his care, an example “in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

More specifically, though, Paul wants the Corinthians to follow the example of his lifestyle described in the previous verses. There he described himself and the other apostles as leading lives of poverty, considered as foolish by the world for Christ’s sake, and mistreated for their association with Him. Instead of retaliating or running away, though, they followed Jesus’ example by doing good to those who treated them badly.

Paul wants the Corinthians to do as he did, to give up chasing wealth and trying to gain the respect of the unbelievers in their culture and to serve Christ first and above all.

Verse 17. That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

Paul has compared the Christians in Corinth to little children, describing himself as their spiritual father in Christ. He often used this metaphor when talking about those who had trusted in Christ as a result of his ministry. Perhaps the best example of this father/son relationship in Paul’s life was that of Timothy.

Paul describes Timothy here as his beloved and faithful child in the Lord, as he does in other letters (Philippians 2:22; 1 Timothy 1:2, 18; 2 Timothy 1:2). Timothy was the son of a Jewish mother and Greek father. Paul first met and recruited the younger man on his missionary journeys (Acts 16:1).

Paul has urged the Corinthian Christians to imitate his life in Christ as little children imitate their father. This, he writes, is why he sent Timothy to them. Timothy has learned how to live as a Christian by imitating Paul; Paul intends the Corinthians to see Timothy’s example of attitude and actions. They should expect to see in Timothy what it means to live out everything that Paul teaches about Christ everywhere he goes.

Paul is painting a picture of Christian discipleship. Timothy has learned from Paul’s example how to put into practice the teachings of the gospel of Jesus. Now Paul intends for the Corinthians to learn from Timothy’s example how to do so, as well. Clearly, the Christian life is not merely a matter of knowing the truth, but also of acting on it in every choice we make. It’s unclear if Timothy had already been sent to the Corinthians ahead of this letter. It’s also possible he was the one who would bring this letter to them (1 Corinthians 16:10).

Verse 18. Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.

Paul’s letter is full of hard words for the Christians in Corinth. He wants them to change their attitudes and behavior in several significant ways. Now he writes that he knows some among them who will refuse to change because they don’t expect Paul to show up in person. Paul has noted his role as the Corinthians’ spiritual “father” (1 Corinthians 4:15). This is a very “fatherly” statement: to point out that someone is only likely to obey when they think their “father” is going to catch them in the act.

He describes these people as arrogant, bold in their defiance of Paul because of the distance between them. Paul will assure them in the following verse that he does plan to come to them in person.

Why would Paul being among them make a difference? The Corinthians will remember that Paul’s preaching was backed up by demonstrations of the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:1–5). He does not expect that these prideful resisters of his correction will put up much of a fight when they are looking him in the eye. Even in the ancient era, humanity showed its tendency to “talk tough” and put on a brave face, so long as they didn’t have to meet those they claimed to stand against.

Verse 19. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power.

Paul has described some arrogant people among the Corinthians: those who will not respond to instruction to them to change their ways. In part, this resistance is because they don’t think Paul is coming back to see them in person. Having described their relationship as that of a father and little children, he creates a picture of kids who are rebelling because dad is away from the house. They disobey because they don’t think their “father” will catch them in the act.

Paul now insists, though, that he is coming to see them, if the Lord wills. Paul often describes his travel plans as being open to change by God’s will (1 Corinthians 16:7; Romans 1:10; 15:32; 1 Thessalonians 3:11; Philemon 1:22).

Paul says that he wants to find out how much power these arrogant people will have when he stands face-to-face with them. He’s not worried about their tough talk, but with what power they will demonstrate it. This is an interesting thing for Paul to criticize. The error is parallel to much of the “brave talk” seen on social media. People are often more aggressive, arrogant, or “tough” when they don’t think they’ll be confronted with another person, in person.

Paul is not trash talking or threatening anyone. The Corinthians will remember the impressive displays of the Holy Spirit’s supernatural power that God used to back up Paul’s preaching of the gospel (1 Corinthians 2:1–5). Paul is reminding his readers that same power continues to show that God’s authority is with Paul. Will those living in rebellion against Paul’s teaching in Corinth continue to resist when faced with this power once more?

Verse 20. For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

These are stern words Paul is writing to the Christians in Corinth. He knows that when this letter is read, it will be heard by some among them who have been talking Paul down. He has called them arrogant. They do not believe they need to submit to Paul’s instructions to them to change their attitudes and behavior in Christ. Paul has written that some of their arrogance comes from the fact that they don’t think Paul is going to come see them in person (1 Corinthians 4:18). Just like those in the modern era who put on a “tough” persona through social media, but would shrink if actually speaking to people in person, Paul says these resistant believers are likely to change their attitudes when Paul actually arrives.

Paul insists that he is coming, if the Lord will allow it. When he comes, he will once more come with the ability to demonstrate God’s power through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:1–5).

God’s kingdom is not about talk, Paul declares. It is about power. That’s easy for all of us to forget. So much of our practice of Christianity focuses on words being preached, read, or prayed. All that talk, though, is meaningless without the legitimate power of God behind it (James 2:26). Paul does not want the Corinthians to forget that he did not just introduce them to big ideas that can be captured and manipulated with words. He introduced them to the power of God available only through faith in Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Verse 21. What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

Paul sounds especially “parental” in this verse. That fits, since he has described himself as a father and the Christians in Corinth as his beloved children (1 Corinthians 4:15). The problem is that these little children (1 Corinthians 3:1–2) have been misbehaving. He is writing to correct their wrong thinking, bad attitudes, and careless behavior.

Some in Corinth, though, will continue to resist Paul’s instruction to them. Paul knows this. He has called them arrogant (1 Corinthians 4:18). In their pride, they have decided they can follow Christ in their own way. They don’t have to take Paul’s teaching as the final authority about what is true or not. Paul fully expects some to read his letter, and proudly insist that they have nothing to change, or no need to hear Paul’s words.

Paul has warned these arrogant people that he is coming to see them and that he will come once again backed by the supernatural power of God, displayed through the Holy Spirit. His readers likely remember very well seeing God’s power demonstrated in this way (1 Corinthians 2:1–5).

With that in mind, and very much like a father, Paul asks if they would rather he show up with a rod or with a loving spirit of gentleness. Paul is using the father/child metaphor to make a point. He is not demanding to be called by the title of “father,” or asking for other honors. He would not bring an actual rod, which in that era was indeed used to discipline children. However, God may choose to use His power through Paul to bring correction or demonstration of power to those living in rebellion.

Of course, Paul will come with love for them in either case. Even discipline would be a display of God’s love for the Corinthians (Hebrews 12:6). Or that love can be expressed in a spirit of gentleness, as Paul encourages the Corinthians and helps them to change course in how they live out the truth of the gospel.

End of Chapter 4.

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