1 Corinthians 4:6-13
Title by Rod Matoon
3 “points” (pun intended) from the needle of confrontation to puncture the balloon of Corinthian pride
1. The point of Scriptural parameter
6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. 1 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV)
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 1 Corinthians 13:4 (KJV)
2. The point of a grace realit
7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? 1 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am . . . 1 Corinthians 15:10 (ESV)
27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.
John 3:27 (ESV)
3. The point of a theology of the cross
8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
1 Corinthians 4:8-13 (ESV)
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Romans 12:14 (ESV)
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Luke 6:28 (ESV)
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. John 15:18-21 (ESV)
10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, Philippians 3:10 (ESV)