I Corinthians 1:1-9
Greetings and Thanksgiving
I Corinthians 1:10-17
Divisions in the Church
I Corinthians 1:18-25
The Message of the Cross
I Corinthians 1:26-31
Glory Only in the Lord
I Corinthians 2:1-5
Sharing the Gospel
I Corinthians 2:6-9
How to Have Spiritual Wisdom
I Corinthians 2:10-16
Bible Doctrine Steers the Spiritual Ship
I Corinthians 3:1-9
The Diet of a Growing Christian
I Corinthians 3:10-15
The Foundation of a Christian Life
I Corinthians 3:16-23
Avoid Worldly Wisdom
I Corinthians 4:1-5
Whose opinion really matters?
I Corinthians 4:6-13
God is looking for genuine humility
I Corinthians 4:14-21
Discipline in Love
I Corinthians 5:1-13
Immorality Must Be judged
I Corinthians 6:1-11
Don’t Sue the Brethren
I Corinthians 6:12-20
Stay Sexually Pure
I Corinthians 7:1-5
Counsel for Single and Married Christians
I Corinthians 7:6-11
Counsel for Christian Marriage & Divorce
I Corinthians 7:12-16
Counsel for those Married to Non-Christians
I Corinthians 7:17-24
Counsel for those Called by God
I Corinthians 7:25-31
Adopting a War-time mindset
I Corinthians 7:32-40
Counsel for the Betrothed and the Widowed
God is looking for genuine humility
I Corinthians 4:6–13
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
A well-known Christian businessman who was visiting a church was asked to give his testimony. He said, “I have a fine family, a large house, a successful business, and a good reputation. I have plenty of money so I can support some Christian ministries very generously. Many … More
The Corinthians had split into various cliques, each following its favorite preacher (Paul, Apollos, Peter etc.). Each group believed it was the only one to have the whole truth, and thus felt spiritually proud. Paul told the groups not to boast about being tied to a particular preacher because each preacher was just a servant. No preacher has more status with the Lord than another. In this chapter, Paul is presenting us with three characteristics of a true minister. We saw the first one yesterday, and today we will see the second.
1. He is to be a humble example (vv. 6-13). The Corinthians were wise in their own eyes, but they were actually fools in God’s sight. Paul asks three pointed questions that puncture the bubble of their pride (v. 7).
a. Who makes you different? In other words, who regards you as superior? There was no room for pride and self-conceit when everything they were they owed to God.
b. What have you received? Everything they had, including their gifts in the ministry, were given them by God. To take any credit personally was an insult to Him.
c. Why do you glory? John the Baptist said, “a man can receive nothing, except it be given him from Heaven … He (Christ) must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:27,30).
Trying to humble the Corinthians, Paul makes a series of contrasts. He said, “You are trying to act as kings when we are prisoners subject to death” (vv. 7-9). He said, “you want people to see you as strong men when in ourselves we are weak” (v. 10). Finally, He said, “you want the honor that comes from men instead of being associated with us and ready for suffering” (vv. 11-13).
Application
Lord, help me not to try to take the credit for things you do for me, give to me, or allow me to accomplish.
I Corinthians 4:6-13 (English Standard Version)
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