enduring word 1 corinthians 4

If there were a contest between Paul and the Corinthians, Paul would have been considered the least impressive preacher. Living By Faith: Commentary on Romans & 1st Corinthians, John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible, Corinthians, First and Second, Theology of. They were occupied with themselves, with one another, with the supernatural energy which grace had conferred on them in the name of the Lord. No doubt they might easily flatter themselves it was to carry on the work of God. This information is all consistent with the word translated “set forth” (apodeiknumi) in 9a. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. Our Price: $13.99. And "therefore," as he closes with the practical deduction from it all, "my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work, of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.". 21. let no man glory in men--resuming the subject from 1 Corinthians 3:4; compare 1 Corinthians 1:12 1 Corinthians 1:31, where the true object of glorying is stated: "He that glorieth, let him glory in THE LORD." Also 1 Corinthians 4:6, "That no one of you be puffed up for one against another." For all things--not only all men. How little many a young convert knows what will best lead him on! We're a spectacle." Aaron Bryan. God is the one who gives his servants their work and they are responsible to him, not to anyone else (4:1-2). A. No notice is here taken of the heavenly places as the sphere of our blessing; nor are we given to hear of the bridal affections of Christ for His body. This is observable in verse 3: "Wherefore I give you to understand that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed, and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost." Ministers of Christ, the Greek word there is the under-rowers. It's because of the weakness of Paul's flesh." It seems to me that God has made us apostles sort of last, as it were, we're appointed unto death. A mere hint connects itself with that which is your joy and constant expectation; whereas when a thing is little before the heart you require to explain, prove, and insist upon it. But in the inspired word of God there is not always revelation. It cannot be the local assembly, because, looking at Corinth, no apostles were there. And every one who would be faithful in Christ Jesus, must be prepared for poverty and contempt. In other words, wait for the day of God's judgment, the fire will come and the works will be proved, what sort and what manner they are, the motives behind them. On the other hand, it would appear from what follows, that they reproached the apostle in their hearts, not, of course, in so many words, with not being enough of a gentleman for their taste. What have you but what you received, if you've received it, then why do you act like you didn't receive it? But this would not be the full truth. (Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-22) The apostle rebukes the disorders in their partaking of the Lord's supper. It is a grace, lasting as eternity. He knows the weakness of man's mind. This gives no warrant to look for anything of the sort at any time subsequent to the completion of the New Testament. "Here the apostle seems to allude to the Roman spectacles, της των θηριομαχων, και μονομαχιας ανδροφονου, that of the Bestiarii and the gladiators, where in the morning men were brought upon the theatres to fight with wild beasts, and to them was allowed armour to defend themselves and smite the beasts that assailed them; but in the meridian or noon-day spectacles the gladiators were brought forth naked, and without any thing to defend themselves from the sword of the assailant; and he that then escaped was only kept for slaughter to another day, so that these men might well be called επιθανατιοι, men appointed for death; and this being the last appearance on the theatre for that day, they are said here to be set forth εσχατοι, the last." Retail: $19.98. Do you have anything of good? Man cannot go lower for weakness and ignominy than the cross on which hangs all the blessedness God gives the believer. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, it was a race to run, in Galatians 6:7-10, a field to sow, Ephesians 6:10-20, an armor to withstand, Philippians 3:12-14, pressing towards the mark, 2 Timothy 2:3-13, it was enduring hardness as a good solider.If there was a common thread to Paul¡¦s . To the Corinthians the Christian life meant flaunting their pride and their privileges and reckoning up their achievement; to Paul it meant a humble service, ready to die for Christ." And there was not wanting an astonishing sample of the power of the Spirit in witness of the victory that Jesus had won over Satan. Shake the resurrection and Christianity goes. The love of Christ proves its greatness by serving others. vii. Thus so far it is true that if anything has, through the will of God, terminated (for instance, miracles, tongues, or revelations), it is evident that such workings of the Spirit ought not to be looked for; but this does not in the smallest degree set aside the Christian assembly or the exercise according to God's will of what the Spirit still distinctly gives. We can pass for fools in the world, and be despised as such, so that the wisdom of God and the honour of the gospel may by this means be secured and displayed." God had set them forth, brought them into view, as the Roman emperors brought their combatants into the arena, the place of show, though not for the same purposes. Where did it come from?You say, "Well, God gave it to me." This, of course, may be taken advantage of, and Satan may tempt men to assume the semblance of a strength they do not possess. So Paul said. Well, then, if it was given to you, why are you boasting as though it wasn't given to you? C.H. Spurgeon, the "Prince of Preachers," first published in weekly installments over a twenty-year period in the periodical The Sword and the Trowel. Originally published in seven volumes all of which are included here. Now when someone comes along and says, "You know, friends, I want to reveal some new truths to you tonight. The role of God's servants 3:5-17 6. Such was the danger here among the Corinthians. What a glorious change would result when not the unlettered poor only, but the great and the noble, the wise and the Prudent, were all joined in the confession of Jesus! There is no difference in inspiration. Men selected for these gory games were destined for death. They had the sound of the truth ringing in their ears; and assuredly there are few sounds sweeter than the liberty of the Christian. The former fighting compared to this was mercy; now it is mere butchery: they have nothing to cover them; their whole body is exposed to every blow, and every stroke produces a wound," c. We are made a spectacle — Ὁτι θεατρον εγενηθημεν, We are exhibited on the theatre to the world we are lawful booty to all mankind, and particularly to the men of the world, who have their portion in this life. This was a source, and a main source, of the difficulty and disorder at Corinth. There is glorying, but it is exclusively in the Lord. Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. III. It was often conflict of a different type (Ephesians 6:12), but no less serious than what ancient gladiators faced. Man not only wants a new life or nature, but the Holy Ghost. What, then, is the weapon that the apostle uses in this case? We must distinguish between parts revealed and the whole inspired. As these people would come by, the crowd would all jeer and hiss and all, and they would take them to the arena and give them to the lions for the sport of the people. It is not, as in Ephesians, "to the saints which are in Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus." But we pass on to another and a still more important theme, a wonderfully full picture even for God's word, that most perfect and beautiful unfolding of divine love which we have in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. What was written by the different inspired instruments is of God as absolutely as if He had written it all without them. The apostle had already shown that to walk as men is beneath the Christian. The latter part of the chapter takes up not the relative place of the man and the woman, but the supper of the Lord, and so the saints gathered together. For this cause have I sent Timothy unto you, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church ( 1 Corinthians 4:16-17 ). This leads him to point out the seriousness of the work or building; for he presents the church of God under this figure. How little the Corinthians dreamt of depreciating the Second man, or of exalting the first! Accordingly the apostle, while he expresses the desire that the spirit of the man should be saved in the day of the Lord, flesh being destroyed, at the same time rouses the saints to that which became the name of the Lord on the very ground that they were unleavened. So I don't go on condemning myself for what came of it. Nature ought to have taught them better. Now many times the best I can do isn't sufficient, but I can't help that. Enduring Faith (2 Corinthians 4)By Bro. Not that He is restrained, or that He is not Sovereign. The Gospel of Matthew; The Gospel of Mark; The Gospel of Luke; The Gospel of John; The Book of Acts; The Book of Romans; The Book of 1 Corinthians . He could have served as an influential Jewish rabbi and enjoyed a pleasant and comfortable life. ” Observe here the admirable steadfastness of Paul, who, while he saw himself to be dealt with by God in this manner, was nevertheless not broken or dispirited. Pride caused the Corinthians to have an exalted view of themselves and loathsome feelings towards Christians like Paul. What care each servant needs to take how and what he builds! Such it was in the sight of God. He is made public; and the universe gazes on the struggle. He wants them to remember the things he taught them, by word and example, when he was among them. It is the death of shame pre-eminently. "Paul pictures himself and fellow apostles as `the last and most worthless band' brought forth to die in the great arena, where the whole world, including men and angels, view the spectacle."[28]. The cross writes total condemnation on the world. They seem to have had no wish to deny the resurrection of Christ; but should not a Christian have at once used Christ to judge all by? Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. We are fools for Christ's sake. The apostle points out that if there were different services, if distinct gifts to one and another, it was for the common good of all. We read of how James was beheaded by Agrippa (Acts 12:1-2). But love is so valuable, so important, that apart from it, every other good thing is useless. Those who went along with the order had a much easier time. I do it all the time, man," you know. No doubt, to one of such eminent ability and such varied gifts as the apostle Paul, it was hard, to speak after the manner of men, to be nothing. For we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. Liberty indeed he prized, but it was not going here and there to feasts of idols. The apostle tells them how he thanks his God always on their behalf, but refrains from any expression of thankfulness as to their state. 4 And my speech and . On the face of the case we have the working of liberty and responsibility in their mutual relations; and the apostle Paul is the very one to tell us that Apollos's will was not to go as he himself wished at this time. Verse 2 Corinthians 1:4. Who comforteth us — Who shows himself to be the God of tender mercy, by condescending to notice us, who have never deserved any good at his hand; and also the God of all consolation, by comforting us in all our tribulation-never leaving us a prey to anxiety, carking care, persecution, or temptation; but, by the comforts of his Spirit, bearing . It is not here gifts as such, but persons devoted to labouring in the Lord; for there is a difference between the two things, as this chapter shows us strikingly. These inhuman games abounded everywhere; and an allusion to them would be well understood, and is indeed often made by Paul; compare 1 Corinthians 9:26; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7; see Seneca Epis. Greeks in the first century ended a day’s activities in the amphitheatre by watching gladiators fight or watching wild beasts attack and kill condemned men. Angels and men are witnesses to our persecutions, sufferings, patience, and magnanimity. They were so in the esteem of men, for their close attach merit to a crucified Christ; and for preaching the doctrine of salvation by him; and for enduring so much reproach, affliction, and persecution, for his sake and the Gospel's: but ye are wise in Christ. There is but one safe motive-power for their use, even love. "Now, I believe that you should do your best and then just commit the rest. Then he brings before us the different relationships at the end of the chapter, as they are affected by the coming of the Lord. This remarkable, instant gathering of Christians unto Jesus in the clouds has been called the rapture, after the Latin word for caught up in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18. ii. Such is the reason why we do not find in this epistle evangelists or pastors, because it is not a question of what is needed to bring souls in or lead them on. But not so. I do, but so what, I can't help that. So Tertullian renders it. His writings show he was very intelligent. Certainly such an one ought to prophesy. And how contentedly could they be exposed, both to sufferings and scorn, for the honour of their Master! Positively in Love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) During World War II, Adolf Hitler commanded all religious groups to unite so that he could control them. It is the old leaven of malice and wickedness. At Corinth members of the church drew favorable conclusions about themselves while being very harsh on others, especially faithful preachers. The man, on the contrary, has a public part a rougher and ruder task, no doubt one that may not at all bring into play the finer affections, but which demands a calmer and more comprehensive judgment. Those who did not faced harsh persecution. Out of this fertile root of evil has the clergy grown. It is not disputed that God did thus work in times past; but they have not the smallest serious thought of submitting to its directions as authoritative for present duty. 1 Corinthians 3 - Carnal Christians and Godly Ministers A. Carnality in the Corinthian church. Grace is so feebly known, that the first thought you will find amongst godly people is what they ought to be; but the ground and weapon of the apostle Paul is what they are by God's grace. 1. Sometimes it is a record which the Spirit gave a man to make of what he had seen and heard, sometimes he recorded by the Spirit what no man could have seen or heard. 1 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 9:1, 2; Acts 18:11). But the assembly of God is addressed, those sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints called, "with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord." Of course, it implies exclusion from the Lord's table, but from their table too "with such an one, no, not to eat." Hence the apostle brings Christ crucified before them. Supposing one were a slave even, he is already, if a Christian, a freeman of Christ. Prophesying and the rest are brought in as all pertaining to the Christian assembly. We have no evidence of the apostles ever suffering this fate so Paul may have simply used this imagery to describe great suffering. You know the Bible scholars in the past, they've just not been able to see this, why is it that they haven't taught you this? It was not so at Corinth. The resurrection itself was not a mystery, The, resurrection of just and unjust was a well-known Old Testament truth. 1 Corinthians 12. How? Found inside – Page 20255,86 1:23 4:1-11 4:4 6:9-13 6:25 7:24-27 12:44 12:47 17:21 18:11 23:14 23:24 24:35 139, 143 xvii 28, 142, 153 159 150 xvi 113 113-4 113 113 113 133 31 4:25 7:16 9:44 9:46 11:26 15:28 16:9 16:9-20 16:12-20 Luke 28, 143 1:1-3 2:33 3 153 ... Praying, or prophesying — Any person who engages in public acts in the worship of God, whether prayer, singing, or exhortation: for we learn, from the apostle himself, that προφητευειν, to prophesy, signifies to speak unto men to edification, exhortation, and comfort, 1 Corinthians 14:3.And this comprehends all that we understand . Thus the shame of their drunkenness fell upon that Holy Supper; and hence the apostle regulated, that from that time forward there should be no such feast coupled with the Lord's Supper. Another thing is to be observed, that the Holy Spirit's scale of sin is not that of man. Goleta CA 93117. . The expression means that he was public in his trials, and that this was exhibited to the universe. If a man happened to win, he was entered into the next contest. They suffered in their persons and characters as the very worst and vilest men, as the most proper to make such a sacrifice: or else as the very dirt of the world, that was to be swept away: nay, as the off-scouring of all things, the dross, the filings of all things. Towards the beginning of this chapter (verses 3-4), Paul noted how the Corinthians judged him and their judgment was not favorable (Paul did not live up to their expectations). We are brought into the theatre, brought out to the public view of the world. All that it gave Him was the cross. Proud member Therefore judge nothing before the time ( 1 Corinthians 4:5 ). Hey, it's the best I could do, so it's a mess, it's all I can do. Now this is full of meaning and importance practically at all times. And today Paul still gets it. How his heart would rejoice in that day with them! But may the word itself, and every part of it, sink into our souls and be our joy, that we may not only take the precious truth of such an epistle as the Romans for the peace and joy of our hearts in believing individually, but also may understand our place by faith as of God's assembly on earth, and with thankful praise as those that call on the name of the Lord ours as well as theirs as those that find ourselves practically in need of such exhortations. The minister is spiritually a soldier ( 2 Timothy 2:3), a vine-dresser ( 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 Solomon 1:6), and a shepherd ( 1 Peter 5:2 1 Peter 5:4). But you know, others have come along and say, "Hey, this is the way it's done. Paul represents himself as on this arena or stage, contending with foes, and destined to death. 174-75.] In 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 accordingly, the apostle enters on a full statement of these spiritual powers. Prophesying never means preaching. Perhaps he meant both. Discovering Isaiah is the perfect introduction to the interpretation of Isaiah Through a critical assessment of key interpreters and interpretative debates, this is an Old Testament commentary that encourages in-depth study of the text and ... Nay, not so, cries the apostle; you must consider your brother. The Corinthians had “glory” (or “are honorable,” KJV”). This is the sum and substance of the gospel. You have not only a sufficiency, but an affluence, of spiritual gifts; nay, you can make them the matter of your glory without us, that is, in my absence, and without having any need of me." The Corinthians were under the influence of the world. The man finds himself judged in the presence of God. It is a vain inquiry here, whether he means good or bad angels. a. Who at that time would have coveted the apostolate? All rights reserved. This is what decides all. He puts it on the ground of their being prospered in any degree, and connects it with the special day of Christian enjoyment, when they gather together for the communion of saints. They were glad to meet at any rate, originally it was so, when love was gratified with the company of each other. 1-4). A more detailed study of these verses follows, but here a helpful thought from Barnes (First Corinthians, p. 75) is offered. "The Lord" brings in the idea of authority. Peter, according to tradition, was crucified upside down. They had received them, and could not glory in them as their own, without wronging God. The general truth of the resurrection assuredly does put the sentence of death on all present things to the believer, showing that the earth cannot rightly be the scene of his enjoyment, where all is stamped with death, and that he must wait for the resurrection power of Christ to be applied before he enters the scene where the rest of God will be our rest, and where there will be nothing but joy with Christ, and even this earth will behold Christ and His saints reigning over it till the eternal day. This will be found to lead the way into the main subject of the present communication. It is a comfort that men are not to be our final judges. Then at the last he adds that he would show them a mystery. Need it be said how human influence has dislocated the truth there? He that partook undiscerningly and without self-judgment was guilty of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus. Hence, I think, the word of exhortation "I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first-fruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)" etc. Found inside – Page 41:19; Isa. 28:1 1—12 in 1 Cor. 14:21; Isa. 25:8 in 1 Cor. 15:54; Isa. 49:8 in 2 Cor. 6:2), and four ... from v.3 ('Prepare the way') but W. 6—8 ('all people are like grass'), a contrast to the 'living and enduring word of God' (1 Pet.

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