Four Points Church

In our last passage, Paul used a series of sarcastic statements to call out the arrogance of many in the Corinthian church. But now, in 1 Corinthians 4:14, his tone changes. He speaks of them as “my beloved children.” Paul makes clear that he did not rebuke them to shame them (v. 14), but to correct them, just as a loving father would. Sometimes this correction requires harsher tones and words, but even that shows the care of the father. It is important for Paul, as their “father in Christ Jesus” (v. 15), to have this hard conversation with them. The words of their other “countless guides in Christ” (v. 15) do not carry the same weight as those of their spiritual father. Paul is modeling to them the way the Lord as our Father disciplines us: “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives” (Hebrews 12:6). Paul brings loving correction to the arrogance that has grown like leaven in this church.

We know from 1 Corinthians 3 that one of the main issues that needs to be addressed in this church is the fact that factions have formed around peoples’ preferred leaders. In 1 Corinthians 3:4, Paul says that some are following him and some are following Apollos, and this has created “jealousy and strife among you.” The Corinthians are making judgments about leaders based on their own biased perceptions. This leads Paul to lay out the role of ministers and who exactly gets to judge their ministries. Then, in 1 Corinthians 4:6-13, Paul unpacks this church’s spiritual arrogance and explains why it is improper to judge God’s servants based on outward appearances.

The Bible gives us multiple images of the Church. According to Paul’s letter to the Galatians, the Church is a household of faith (Galatians 6:10). According to Peter, the Church is like a flock of sheep who need a shepherd (1 Peter 5:1-2). Later in 1 Corinthians, Paul will use the imagery of the human body to describe the Church, highlighting the interconnectedness and unity of the Body of Christ. However, in this text, Paul likens the Church to the Jerusalem Temple. The temple was the physical representation of God’s presence with His people.  Paul is communicating that God now dwells with His people, the Church, through His Spirit. There is no need for a physical temple. We ourselves are God’s temple! And Christ is the supreme builder of this temple.

The context of our passage today is a lengthy discourse that encourages unity over rivalries. Paul has just reminded the church in Corinth that there is no need for them to create division by siding with certain teachers because the teachers all have the same goal in mind: ensuring that gospel fruitfulness occurs through the message they preach. Paul reminded the Corinthians in the previous section that the church is God’s field. He closed verse 9 with another metaphor: the church is also God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9). The building metaphor is central to Paul’s message in this next section. If the church is a building, then how should that building be built? Paul answers that question and provides us with some helpful insights into how we are to labor rightly in the Church, God’s building.

When children are growing up, no one expects them to act like adults. We expect a certain amount of clumsiness, foolishness, and lack of self-control. We identify these problem areas in our kids’ lives and do the hard work of teaching and discipline to help them to mature (Proverbs 13:1, 24; 19:18; 22:6, 15; 23:13; 29:15). If a child is older and is still acting immaturely, we remind them that it’s time to “act their age,” and to behave in accordance with what they have been taught. This passage continues a critique Paul has for the Corinthians as they divide into teams (1 Corinthians 1:10-13), based on which leader they like best. He shows the Corinthians how they are thinking more like the people of the world, who constantly act out of their sinful nature (2:14). It is time for the Corinthians to “grow up” in their understanding of church leaders.

In order to translate from one language to another, the translator must have a good grasp of what the speaker or author is trying to communicate. In this passage, Paul explains that in order for us to understand God’s wisdom, we need someone to translate it for us, someone who knows the mind of God. Thankfully, those of us who have trusted in Christ have the Holy Spirit living inside us, to help us receive the wisdom of God.

In 1 Corinthians 1:23-24, Paul said that, to “those who are called” Christ is the power and wisdom of God. Here in verse 26, Paul reminds the Corinthians of that when he tells them “consider your calling, brothers.” The word “consider” means to perceive or have sight of something. Paul encourages these believers to step back and examine how they came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. In verses 26-31, Paul makes two things very clear to the Corinthian church, and all Christians. First, Paul says that when it comes to the salvation of anyone, “both Jews and Greeks” (v. 24), we bring nothing to the table. We cannot boast about anything. Second, Paul makes the point that salvation belongs to the Lord (see Jonah 2:9; Psalm 3:8). Therefore, whatever boasting of salvation a person might do can only be boasting in the Lord.

God’s chosen Messiah being crucified on a criminal’s cross is the greatest scandal in the history of the universe. Such a scandal cannot be understood or believed by the natural mind. That is why in 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul tells the church that when it comes to hearing and responding to the gospel, there are only two groups of people. Some find it to be useless—those who are perishing. And to some, the gospel is the power of God—those who are being saved.

After addressing the church of Corinth with a warm greeting, Paul now directs his attention to a major problem that exists within the church. The warmth of his welcome is over, and his stern rebuke will now be heard. As a rope becomes unraveled when its cords are disunited, so the church in Corinth is on the verge of unraveling because of disunity. Paul addresses this now, and the other things he brings up in the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians all stem from this topic. Therefore, it is best to view this section as somewhat of an introduction to the first part of the letter (1 Corinthians 1:10-4:21).

Though the church of Corinth has some major issues that must be addressed, Paul begins his letter with some encouraging words. To center the entire letter of 1 Corinthians upon the gospel, Paul’s first words to the Corinthians are not rebukes but reminders. Paul wants the Corinthians to know that despite the messiness of their church, God’s grace hasn’t changed. These believers are being sanctified and sustained by Jesus for the glory of God.