1st Corinthians 4

What are We?

1. Servants and stewards of Christ

2. Don’t let yourself be judged by worldly matters or people because only God is the ultimate judge

3. Our righteousness comes from Jesus and nothing more

4. God will be the one to reveal, judge, and give praise

Corinthian Pride

1. Paul hopes this will keep their thinking biblical rather than seeking after worldly wisdom

2. Do not be prideful in thinking you’re better than each other

   1. Because:

      1. What makes you different from others?

      2. What do you have that you were not give?

      3. Why glorify it as if it was not given to you?

   2. STAY HUMBLE

3. The Corinthians act like they have it all and are supreme above all, reigning as kings

   1. Better than they apostles, sentenced to death and made as a spectacle to humans and angels

   2. But no, the apostles are fools and the Corinthians are wise (sarcasm)

4. Paul reminds them he is not expressing his sarcasm to shame but to correct as a father himself

5. He warns Corinth that they may have many instructors in Christ, they have no fathers

6. This is why he has sent Timothy, a son of his, to teach them

7. Some Corinthians were proud that Paul was not coming in person to see them, as if he were afraid.

   1. Lord willing he will see them and not the words of the proud, but the power of the proud

      1. They have none compared to the gospel

   2. The kingdom of God is not of word but of power

8. So Paul asks if they’d rather him come with a rod of discipline or with a spirit of gentleness.