Return to Studies in Corinthians
Presented, May 3, 2009 pm
Respecting God’s Boundaries
1 Cor. 4:6-7
Tonight we examine a
familiar passage dealing with authority and apply it to the context in
which it was written.
a.
The
reference to Paul and Apollos (and others) throughout this book thus far
was not intended to draw attention to these men.
In fact he has gone to great lengths to minimize his importance.
In our last lesson we noted that Paul and Apollos were mere servants of
Christ. Their apostleship
did not make them any better than anyone else.
b.
Instead he
notes here that the real emphasis what not upon him but upon them.
Paul could have named the
‘troublemakers’ and used a much more negative tone in his letter.
It is clear there were brethren with an attitude problem that needed to
be dealt with! But naming
them at this time would detract from his message calling for unity.
c.
About
name-calling!
This is NOT to say that there are not times to name those causing
trouble.
Paul did that when necessary – writing to Timothy He warned of Hymenaeus
and Alexander (1 Tim. 1:20) and Alexander the coppersmith (2 Tim. 4:14).
John warned of Diotrophes (3 John 9) and the trouble he was
causing. Romans 16:17 makes
it necessary at times to “name names”.
There is a time to specifically name those who are guilty of sin BUT
there are other times when it is more expedient to deal with the issue
and leave the names out of it.
Perhaps this was one of those times – Paul could accomplish more
by simply teaching the truth about unity, being servants (and other
subjects) and let brethren come to the proper conclusion and thereby
they would know HOW to indentify and WHY to avoid the ones causing the
problems.
This is the
Biblical learning equivalent of teaching one to fish, which
would sustain him, instead of just giving them a fish which would only
provide one meal without any work and leave him hungry tomorrow.
See Heb. 5:12-13, Eph. 4:13-14, 1 Cor. 14:20, “Brethren,
do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in
understanding be mature.”
NOTE also 1 Cor. 4:14, “I do not
write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.”
a.
Learn in us – who is the
us? Inspired men!
Paul and Apollos.
We KNOW this was not an ego trip.
Paul has proven this in the previous chapters.
BUT let us NOT dismiss the power of a proper example in leading others!
Paul told Timothy to be an example in all things (1 Tim. 4:12)
Paul always sought to be a proper example.
He would later tell these brethren, that he disciplined his body
lest after teaching others he would become disqualified (1 Cor. 9:27).
The verse that stands out the most to me is 1 Cor. 11:1.
Note also our immediate context, (4:16) he says, “imitate me.”
Vs. 17 describes what that involved – Timothy would remind them,
“of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.”
b.
Not
to think –
What comes to my mind here is man’s wisdom and conclusions. I.e., “I
think this is what it means.”
Of course, the “commentary” he gives on a passage then proceeds to
discredit what the word actually says.
Thus you have the wisdom of man!
It is not one searching the scriptures to verify the truth (cf.
Acts 17:11) and presenting questions, but it is binding what I think
over what God thinks.
Consider Romans 12:3 which warns us not to think more highly of
ourselves than we ought.
NOTE that the wording does NOT say to not think at all.
Study involves thinking (2 Tim. 2:15), but the idea is that one
puts boundaries upon his thinking.
I.e. – he stays within God’s boundaries (cf. Rev. 22:18,19).
NOTE 2: Some manuscripts do
not have the word “think” in them –as in the NASU
which says, “So that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written.”
This is the same idea – we MUST respect the boundaries of God’s word. In
fact that wording implies that our attitude INCLUDE both our thinking
AND our actions
c.
Beyond what is written –
i.
What
was written? We know that as
this letter was sent, the entire New Testament was not complete.
However:
1.
There were
letters already completed and being circulated (1 & 2 Thess., James, and
other letters believed to be earlier than this one).
2.
In
addition to this, quite frequently Paul quoted from the Old Law
(properly) to emphasize the New Law.
In 1 Corinthians thus far Paul
has quoted 6 references from the Old Testament (1:19 – Isa. 29:14; 1:31
– Jer. 9:23; 2:9 – Isa 64:4; 2:16 – Isa. 40:13; 3:19 – Job. 5:13; 3:20 –
Psa. 94:11) and you will find many more quotes as we continue to study
this book. Clearly, one of
the challenges Paul faced dealt with removal of the Old Law.
3.
There is
this letter (and perhaps other correspondence with these brethren).
What he is here writing has the seal of God upon it – see 1 Cor.
14:27
ii.
The
word of God.
What Paul was CLEARLY speaking of was the word of God.
2 Tim. 3:16-17 notes that all inspired writings are profitable to make
us complete in Him.
iii.
We MUST
respect God’s boundaries.
IT is important that we establish authority for all that we do.
Even the apostles including Paul understood this.
How much have we talked about Paul’s message being from God and
not man in our study of 1 Corinthians thus far?
In Acts 15 we find recorded an incident which required the apostles and
brethren at Jerusalem to determine God’s word.
They did it using command, examples and necessary conclusions
(inference). The result was,
in vs. 28 “For it seemed good to
the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these
necessary things.” They
respected God’s boundaries in determining how to deal with an issue.
God has ALWAYS demanded respect for His boundaries
Deut. 12:32, “Whatever I command
you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away
from it.”
Proverbs 30:6, “Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be
found a liar.”
Matthew 15:6, an application, “thus
you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.”
The context shows they had both added to and taken away from
God’s commandments.
Revelation 22:18, 19 – concerning that book – but the principle
CONSISTENTLY applied to His word.
a.
That
none of you be puffed up – it
is man’s opinions and pride that cause divisions.
Friends please understand, It is NOT what God says that divides
but what He does not say.
It is when we add to or ignore what He says that we disagree.
If EVERYONE would submit to God’s
standard where He has set it (there are matters of liberty) – we could
reach perfect unity. Even
the unity Paul addressed early in this letter (1 Cor. 1:10).
b.
The sin
of pride often gets in the
way. The idea of being
puffed up means that these brethren were arrogant and thought of their
own ways above that of their brethren.
This Pride is clearly condemned in scripture:
1 Peter 5:5 – noting that we are all to submit to one another Peter
notes, “and be clothed with
humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’”
1 Timothy 6:3-4 “If anyone teaches
otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he
is proud knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments
over words…”
Gal. 6:3 – “For if anyone thinks
himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”
1 Cor. 10:12, “Therefore let him
who thinks he stands, take heed, lest he fall.”
c.
Indicting questions:
Vs. 7, ‘Who
makes you differ?’ or ‘Who regards you as superior?’ (7).
Here is a series of questions asked, perhaps with a bit of sarcasm.
Who makes you differ (or superior) – i.e., Who made you better
than anyone else? (Put this in the context of the entire book – remember
they were DIVIDING thinking they were better than others)
Paul’s point is they are ALL equal in God’s eyes – we all serve
in the same capacity – SERVANTS!
What do you have that you did not
receive? The same source gave them all what they had – God!
Who could claim originality in anything?
As one commentator puts it, “Life, salvation, spiritual
gifts, the apostolic word, the Spirit of
God-nothing was merited – everything was by grace (cf. I Cor. 1:26-31)”
(Butler, College Press)
Third question,
Now if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received
it? The key here is to note their boasting and in the process
ignoring the source of what they have (i.e. from God).
He asks, “Why are you competing and comparing one another in
these matters and ignoring that whatever gifts you have they all come
from God?” This will be
dealt with later in this letter (ch. 12).
And thus we can see
the importance of respect for God’s boundaries.
It is when we fail to show that respect that we find division and
all sorts of evil attitudes (such as pride).
Let us resolve to always respect what God says and what He does
NOT say. We should, “Speak
where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent.”