Prayer of Thanksgiving: Give thanks to God for all the blessings he has given you.

Prayer of Supplication: Pray for the needs of those close to you and the church.

Bible reading and commentary:

Read: 1 Corinthians 4

In Chapter 4, Paul continues to describe the qualities of a true apostle, while at the same time defending his ministry and message among the Corinthians and exposing the spiritual pride of their false apostles. In this chapter we find important details as to the primary responsibilities of faithful Christian leaders. The truth is that ministers are servants, not lords, of Christ’s church. They are to proclaim the “mysteries of God”, which is considered to be not only the gospel message, but all of God’s revelation. Also they should exercise fatherly care over their “spiritual children”, providing guidance and correction with an attitude of gentleness and loving concern. Although the Apostle Paul suffered more intensely than most ministers will, all faithful ministers of the Word of God should expect to be treated with contempt by a world that celebrates human wisdom and eloquence and despises the simplicity of the gospel.

All Christians should heed these instructions through the example of Paul of the importance of being submissive to God’s Word, which has supreme authority in the church, possessing a character worthy of imitation, appraising their gifts in a spirit of humility and gratitude, and being attentive to the divine will in fulfilling their particular stations in life.

While the Apostle Paul said he knew nothing against himself that would conclude he was unfaithful, the Corinthians were guilty of glorying in themselves which contradicts the reality that all we are and have come from God. Paul describes the reality of life in the present age. While the Corinthians viewed themselves to have already arrived, Paul points to the present suffering that he faces as an apostle having been made a spectacle to the world. While the Corinthians considered themselves to be wise, strong and honorable, Paul says he and his fellow laborers were fools for Christ’s sake; weak and despised.

Paul loved the Corinthians enough to warn them. He considered them his children in the faith. The church boasted in spiritual guides like Apollos and Cephas. Yet Paul reminded them that they only had one father. He says that in Christ, he became their “father” through the gospel. They should therefore listen to his fatherly admonishing for their own benefit.

Some of the Corinthians sinfully thought Paul was too arrogant to come and visit them. He says he will come to them, God willing. It is always God that we should depend on. We can and should make plans but be ready for God’s will to be done.

We should always consider our daily need of grace to grow in godliness. We need to learn from Paul’s warning to the Corinthian church that we will not ever be at a place in this life where we can say, “I have fully arrived spiritually.” We are blessed by God in all things, our gifts, our blessings, and, yes, even our trials. The praise belongs to God only. All Christians will do well to heed these truths.

Lastly, what did Paul mean by the phrase “be imitators of me” (verse 16)? It was his final comments on the problem of factions in the church. The text reflects a cycle of gospel embrace (Paul’s passion for the gospel), leading to gospel transformation (Paul’s Christ-like character), and promoting gospel multiplication (Paul’s desire to help others grow in Christ).

Paul’s preaching of “Jesus Christ and him crucified” is not only a matter of recited words; it is a testimony of the Spirit’s transforming power. This power has made Paul an example of Christ-centered living for his spiritual children. Thus rather than viewing leaders like him through a lens of human accomplishment and boasting, believers are to imitate their “ways in Christ”, which include: (1) delighting not when others recognize our wealth and power, but when our foolishness, weakness, dishonor and desperate needs are put on display for all to see; and (2) enduring hardship with Christlike compassion, even praying for those who treat us like “scum” and “refuse”. In short, more mature believers should model, and less mature believers should learn, the ways of the cross. This will increase our dependence on Christ, as the faithfulness of any human ultimately reflects and results from the Savior’s faithfulness. Remember ultimately, it is the faithfulness of God that matters most. Great is thy faithfulness unto me!