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First Corinthians 4:7-13

The division in the church in Corinth was the outward manifestation of a heart condition known as selflove. It was love of self that was the driving force behind their desire to promote themselves over their
brethren, in the assembly; to be somebodies.
That was quite natural, especially for those in Corinth; because as we remember, the vast majority of them
had been nobodies - not many wise, mighty, noble. So now that God had made them somebodies, in Christ
- they wanted to look like somebodies, in the worlds eyes.
But the somebodies that they had become were Gods sons. And Paul has been determined to get them to
see that Gods view of them is the only one that counts. They must learn to live for the praise of God alone.
Many believers in Corinth were living right now for the praise of men, which fed their love of self. It
motivated them to acquire greater wisdom, especially the worldly philosophies of some of the more
prominent members of the assembly. It drove them to seek authority in the assembly, in the names of their
former teachers. It caused them to cast a critical eye, on their God-appointed teachers.
And in this way, they became puffed up; inflated with self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-determination.
This heart condition was now threatening the very life of the church in Corinth.
Paul had previously pointed out the divisiveness of the assembly; a symptom of the disease. But now, he
will cut to the heart of the matter. And just as surgeons must sometimes cut deeply, in order to save lives,
Paul will now use a sharp cutting tool - words of biting irony - in order to reach the heart of the believers,
and preserve the life of the church in Corinth.
Well include verse 6, which is a transition to this next section.
[Read First Corinthians 4:6-13]
So Paul begins with a series of rhetorical questions designed to cause the believers in Corinth to examine
their hearts (v. 7). Then, in a passage laced with sarcasm, Paul creates a picturesque contrast between how
the believers in Corinth imagine themselves, and the real experiences of those who follow the Lord specifically, the apostles (v. 8-13).
Lets start with Pauls questions, in verse 7, aimed at the majority of the believers in Corinth, who were
puffed up - inflated with their own self-importance.
Now, something thats inflated is filled with air. If you have an uninflated balloon, you see its true size; its
little. But if you blow into the balloon, it appears larger. And the more you blow into it, the larger it looks.
But is the balloon really any larger? No; its the same size; the air makes it appear larger.
Thats what had happened in the minds of the believers in Corinth. The thinking that they had taken in
from the world inflated them. It made them appear wiser; more spiritual, in their own eyes, and even in the
eyes of some others.
But the reality was that they had filled their minds with the vain thinking of this world - so Paul set out to
deflate them, so that they would once again have a right perspective of themselves - as little Christ Ones.

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So first Paul asks them a series of questions, that each listener would weigh and answer in his mind. Notice
the first question - who makes you differ? The italicized words, from another are not present in the
Greek, and they misconstrue Pauls meaning.
The word differ does not have anything to do with differing with one another, as in arguing. Instead, this
word carries the meaning here of distinguish. Paul is saying, For who distinguishes you?; Who makes
you different? - with the idea of different and better, than others.
After all, were they all not sons of Adam - born of the same creation? Yes - they were all the same. But
Paul is addressing the believers, in the assembly. As believers, they had all been born again - born of the
incorruptible Seed, Christ - a new creation. And because of that, they were now distinguished - as sons of
God.
But they were distinguished in that respect from the rest of humanity - not from each other. They were all
equal - equally graced with the Holy Spirit and His wisdom; equally privileged, as sons.
And who was it, who had distinguished them, in this way, as sons - based on His unmerited, undeserved
favor, expressed in Christ? The Father had. So they were all distinguished as sons, by the Fathers grace but equally so; none was better than another.
And this led to Pauls second question. What do you have that you did not receive? In the context, Paul is
speaking about what distinguished them - being sons. They had to admit they did receive that distinction it was the gift of God.
So in his last question, Paul brings out the incongruity of their conduct, with this truth: they boast as if they
had not received that distinction, as sons of God; because they were boasting in what they had been
acquiring in and for themselves. Where their boast should have been in God, for all that He had given
them, their boast instead was in themselves - in their attainments of wisdom and spirituality. This is the
presumption of pride.
And to show the Corinthian believers just how presumptuous their thinking was, Paul now uses some
pointed sarcasm, to deflate their over-inflated self-image.
Now, some are inclined to think that sarcasm is not communication. Sarcasm can be unkind; even cruel.
But I guess we all need to take a lesson from Paul here - there are times when sarcasm is effective; when it
is communication. And as with anything, the Lord needs to show us when and if it is appropriate.
Apparently, it was appropriate with the self-exalted Corinthians! So Paul makes a quick series of ironic
statements to show just how self-exalted they were.
v. 8 When Paul speaks of reigning together with the believers in Corinth, we can tell he must be thinking
of the glorious end for Christ Ones - when we will all be ruling and reigning with Jesus, in the heavenly
kingdom.
And this is what clues us in to the rest of what Paul is saying here; he is talking about the time when
believers have reached the goal, as complete, glorified sons of God. Pauls points of sarcasm here bring out
that the Corinthians already consider themselves that way.

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But wait a minute, you say - arent we supposed to see ourselves that way - as sons of God? Doesnt even
Paul teach that, in his letters? To that, we have to answer, yes and no. Well take a little detour to explore
Pauls teaching on this.
Turn to Ephesians chapter 2. Paul had just written of the hopeless plight of humanity, apart from God.
[Ephesians 2:4-7] Now, in the last verse, Paul is speaking of the ages to come, meaning the ages beyond
the present age; the Kingdom age, and Eternity. Thats future, right? And thats when well be ruling and
reigning with Christ, as glorified sons of God, correct? Yes.
But notice what Paul said first in verses 5 and 6 - all in the past tense, in the Greek. We were dead, in
trespasses and sins - past tense; He made us alive together, with Christ - past tense; He raised us up
together, past tense; and He made us sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus - past tense.
Have we been raised yet, in our bodies of glory? Look down if youre not sure. Are we sitting together in
the heavenlies in Christ - or are we still sitting here on earth?
So in this passage, Paul speaks about all these things as past, even though some of them are still future.
How can Paul do that? Because it depends on perspective. From the eternal perspective, which is outside
of time, it IS all done. From the perspective of time, on earth, its not yet done. Theres the yes and no.
Well look at another example. Turn to Colossians chapter 3.
[Colossians 3:1-4] We see in verse 4 that Paul is speaking of when Christ returns for His bride, the true
church. When He appears, we also will appear with Him in glory - we will have been raised by Him as
glorified sons of God. Thats future.
But what did Paul say in verse 1? Since we were raised with Christ - thats past tense. And in verse 3 - you
died - past tense - and your life - your body of glory - is hidden with Christ in God - present tense. That
covers all the tenses!
So which is it? It depends on what perspective you take - and here, Paul is bringing out that the believer is
capable of having Gods perspective on things - the eternal perspective. He can set his mind on things
above, all the while his feet are still planted on the earth - and in fact, he should do so.
A passage in Pauls letter to the Philippians makes it clear why he should do that. Turn to Philippians
chapter 3. Paul had just catalogued his Jewish credentials to the assembly in Philippi, but showed them
how he now regarded such things.
[Philippians 3:7-14]
v. 7-9 Paul regarded every aspect of his former life as nothing, in comparison to the prospect of gaining
Christ, and being found in Him. The being found that Paul is speaking of here refers to a judicial
finding; the decision of a judge.
Who does Paul have in mind as the judge here? God. If Paul came before God in his own righteousness,
what would be Gods finding? Guilty as charged - a condemned sinner.
But through faith in Christ, Paul had the righteousness of God imputed to him - and what would be Gods
judicial finding in that case? Freed of all charges of sin - a forgiven son.

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And so Paul was entirely willing to give up all of his religious righteousness, in order to have the only
righteousness that counts, in Gods court.
That righteousness was imparted to Paul when he placed his faith in Christ - when he was united to Christ,
in his death. And by that union, even more was imparted to Paul.
v. 10 Paul left his former life behind, that he may gain Christ - by faith - in order that he may be found in
Him - acquitted of his sin - and in order that he may know Him. Notice Paul does not say, know about
Him, but know Him - Christ Himself. Paul is speaking of the intimate personal fellowship, here, that
comes through union with the Lord.
And through that union, Paul came to know the power of Christs resurrection - the power of that eternal
Life that Christ brought forth, out of death. That Life enabled Paul to live the righteous that Christ had
imputed to him, while still on earth.
And Paul also came to know the fellowship of Christs sufferings - he suffered many things for the sake of
proclaiming the name of his Lord (Acts 9:16) - as well see even today.
Being conformed to His death is part of this. The verb being conformed is continuous action. Paul
was continually reckoning himself to be dead indeed to sin (Rm 6:11); constantly recognizing that he had
been crucified to the world (Gal 6:14); always putting to death the deeds of the body, that he might really
live unto God (Rm 6:11, 8:13).
He did so with His eye on the prize.
v. 11-14 This shows so well why the believer should set his mind on the things above - on the goal - his
glorification, in his heavenly home - because that is where the believer is going. You need to look where
youre going. Paul knew that, and thats what he did while here on earth, as he ran his race; he kept his eye
fixed upon the prize. It caused him to reach forward; to press on, in the life of the faith - as it causes us to
press on.
This also explains why Paul frequently speaks of those future things as already realized, when they havent
yet been realized in time; because in eternity, where Paul had set his mind - they have been realized. This
perspective is found throughout his letters - a powerful motivator, in this present life.
[Return to First Corinthians]
There is a vital difference between what Paul wrote about - believers setting their minds on the things
above - and what the Corinthian believers were doing. They were not simply setting their minds on the
things above, as a motivation for this life. The Corinthians had decided that the future was already here;
that it was all finished, for them.
How so? Paul declares, You are already full! Full here means to have in abundance; to be satisfied.
Again, we consider Pauls words in context; the Corinthian believers view themselves as having obtained
superior wisdom and spirituality; they were full of it! Paul is sarcastically saying, You already know it
ALL!
And Paul continues, You are already rich! Why, the Corinthian believers had already come into their
inheritance - here are heavens residents, condescending to continue dwelling among mere mortals. You
already possess it ALL!

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Then Paul takes his irony to its zenith. The word he uses is a general word for reigning, the idea of kings
having been added by the translators. Paul is saying You have reigned! In their inflated self-image, the
Corinthian believers have launched themselves right to the throne of Christ; theyre already ruling and
reigning with Him. The Corinthians self-perception was that they had already arrived.
But then Paul drives home the fact that this could not be so; for theyre reigning without him, and the other
apostles and teachers - surely they would have arrived, too! And Paul cannot help but express that he
wishes it were so - because this would mean that the reign of the church with Christ had begun, and that it
was indeed finished. By Pauls very wishing it so, he makes his point - it is not yet so.
The only place the Corinthians were ruling and reigning was in their overactive imaginations. This was not
a matter of setting their minds on the things above - the haughty Corinthians were reveling in a contrived
spirituality, in which they had already been perfected, allowing them to dismiss any outside influence and
instruction and authority - they were above all that.
But Paul was determined to pierce their hyper-inflated self-image, and bring them back down to earth - to
the spiritual realities. He does so by putting aside the irony for a moment, while he begins to create a
contrast to the Corinthian believers - using himself, and the other apostles.
v. 9 The word for spectacle here means a theater, which was a place where public shows or spectacles
were exhibited. By the description, what Paul had in his mind was an amphitheater.
Amphitheaters were composed of an arena in which combatants fought, surrounded by seating which rose
to a great height, to contain the spectators of an event - not unlike stadiums today. Corinth had just such an
amphitheater, which seated eighteen thousand.
Paul can see himself and the other apostles to be like contenders in an amphitheater. Paul is using the term
apostle here in the more general sense, as a sent one: anyone who was sent by God to preach the
gospel.
When Paul speaks of the apostles being displayed last, he is referring to those who were reserved to fight
in the final show of the day - the finale - those were the ones who were exhibited last. This distinction was
normally reserved for condemned prisoners. They would have to fight to the death - their death, eventually
- inevitably.
Paul and the other apostles were like those condemned prisoners. They had been taken captive by Christ;
they were prisoners of His love. And God had chosen to send them into the arena, in these last days, to
contend.
What were they contending for? They were contending for the faith. They were armed with the Word of
God; the gospel of Christ. And as they contended for the faith - to their dying breath - who was it who was
looking on? The whole world system.
Paul includes both the human creation - the sons of Adam - as well as the angelic creation - meaning
Satans angels here - they operate in the world, behind the scenes. Both these angels and men were
watching the conflict, taking in the struggle, the suffering; and awaiting the final outcome. It was a display
of utter humiliation; the apostles were objects of scorn, in the theater of the world.
What a vivid contrast to what Paul had just said of the Corinthian believers, who saw themselves as the
spiritual elite! And to drive home the contrast, Paul once again engages in a bit of sarcasm.

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v. 10 There were the apostles in the arena, fighting for the faith. They were fools: willing to die, for
Christs sake. They were weak: willing to relinquish all say over their lives, in submission to their Lord.
They were dishonored: their received no approval from the world, but only its derision - in fact, the world
eagerly anticipated their demise.
And there were the Corinthians - so wise and strong - spiritual titans - commended by all - looking so very
glorious.
But was it so? Only in the eyes of the world - the world, which is at enmity with God. And Paul is pointing
out the irony, here - if the Corinthian believers were really following Christ, as the apostles were, then why
did they look so different from the apostles? So different, in fact, that the Corinthians would have looked
more like the spectators than the contenders!
As we read these next verses, continue to think along with Pauls illustration of the apostles.
v. 11-13 While the Corinthian believers had promoted themselves into the future glorious reign of Christ,
the apostles were contending for the faith, in the present hour.
Notice how Pauls record of the privations and trials of their ministry is in direct contrast to the exalted
state of the Corinthians.
Whereas the Corinthians are full - satisfied - the apostles hunger and thirst; whereas the Corinthians are
rich, the apostles are poorly clothed, and abused, and have no fixed home; and while the Corinthians reign
supreme, resting on their laurels, the apostles are toiling away - working with their own hands, to support
themselves as they preach the gospel.
This last item was especially revolting to the Corinthians, who were accustomed to philosophers who were
supported by a patron, or who earned money for their preaching. Manual labor was considered the least
honorable option - and no doubt added to their contempt of Paul.
As Paul continued, he showed that his sufferings and that of the other apostles was not limited to the
hardships of an itinerant ministry, but also to the opposition their message aroused; we could say, the
abuses of the spectators, in both word and deed.
And what was the response of the contenders, in the arena? To return good for their evil - blessing their
enemies, patiently bearing afflictions, and relentlessly entreating them to turn from their sins, and be
reconciled to God.
But do you think that brought forth applause from the spectators? Did the world give its accolades, as they
witnessed this patient labor of love? No, quite the opposite.
In verse 13, Paul uses two terms to describe the regard of the world for the apostles. Filth of the world
refers to defilement that is removed by cleansing. Offscouring of all things is the scum scraped off a dirty
pot. Together, the terms project the idea of something vile, contemptible - and worthless.
And so it might seem to the spectators. But Paul chose his terms carefully, because there was another layer
of meaning to them. Both words were also used figuratively among the Greeks to denote social outcasts
who were offered as a sacrifice to pagan gods in a time of calamity, to appease their anger.

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It was perhaps in this sense that Paul was really owning those words, with the other apostles: viewed as
worthless by the world, but willingly offering their own lives, a living sacrifice to God, in order share the
gospel - in order that men might be saved. Contending for the faith, in the arena - even until now, the
present hour, as Paul wrote this letter. He would fight the good fight until he drew his last breath (2 Tim
4:7).
But that was no less than one would expect, of a follower of Jesus, is it? Didnt Jesus say, If anyone
desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me (Mt 16:24)?
Well see that as Paul continues, hell indicate that he did not write these things to shame the Corinthian
believers. That was not Pauls intent; but for any of them who had believed into Christ, only to follow their
own prideful course of spiritual enlightenment, instead of following Jesus, could they not help but be
ashamed? They shamed themselves!
Now, it would be convenient to think that this was just a problem that the Corinthian believers had, some
two thousand years ago; but we know that pride is a very common malady. And as we ponder the contrast
that Paul has made here, it might be wise for us to examine our own course.
This is not to say that the particular circumstances and sufferings of the apostles should be experienced by
all believers; but certain things stand out on both sides of Pauls comparison, which could pertain to any
believers course. Here are some thoughts that came to me.
Do I rest complacently on my salvation, content with acquiring knowledge for myself, seeing myself as
having already arrived - and measuring my progress against others? Jesus said, whoever humbles
himself as a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Mt 18:4).
As a Christ One, do I stand in opposition to the world with its wisdom? Jesus said, Because you are not of
the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you (Jn 15:19). Does it hate me? Or
does it notice no difference at all?
Am I willing to deliver a weak and foolish message - of a crucified Savior - or do I feel thats not really
mine to do? And if I experience the worlds disapproval, in its various forms - do I persist for Christs sake,
or do I abandon the cause - at least, till the heats off? Jesus said, If they persecuted Me, they will also
persecute you (Jn 15:20). I should expect it.
We are genuine believers - but so were these Corinthians. The question is, are we genuine followers of
Christ? If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also (Jn
12:26). To follow Jesus is to take the way of the cross; to experience the fellowship of His sufferings (Phil
3:10).
But to what end? Glory - to which the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared (Rm
8:18).
Reading: 1 Cor 4; 1 Th 2:9-12; Heb 12:1-11.