Warning

First Corinthians is a thesis of epic proportion in relation to a church who had lost its meaning. The church of Corinth had allowed carnal thoughts, motives, appetites, much less distractions to enter in. If you are unfamiliar with the book’s first chapters, please take time to reacquaint yourself with them. In the first chapters of 2, 3, and 4 we find the concluding thoughts about the carnal division of the church. 

In verses 1-13 of chapter 4, the Apostle speaks of judging others as having no place in a disciple’s life. He said in verse 14 his purpose isn’t to shame them, but to warnthem. Why exactly? That judgement kills your servant-spirit and the spirit of others. If that happens, who will win the lost? Who will disciple the saved? Therefore judgement can kill the cause of Christ in a church. There are eternal consequences to judging others. Paul is dealing with a root cause to a major problem. It’s important to trace problems to their root causes. Here he is identifying pride as the core cause to all problems. In the context of chapter 4 the Scripture provides even more proof of this fact. Apollos and Paul demonstrate how there ought to be both diversity and unity among disciples of Christ. The church at Corinth is not demonstrating that. Here is why…

The Apostle Paul is concluding the answer to all this division: The need for Biblical—Spiritual Authority in 15-17— “For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.” There were some who had set themselves up as ‘advisors’ and ‘mentors’ to others, claiming to follow after Peter, Paul and Apollos. Without spiritual-biblical authority, some will always slither to judging and dividing people. It’s a manifestation of their spiritual insecurity. Paul’s appeal is for them to follow him (Paul). But why? 1) The relationship (father-sons v. exploitation by teachers); 2) The authority (Father v. teacher and John 6.46); 3) The divergence (…away from Christ and into man’s wisdom). So he sent Timothy to “teach the same thing” that was taught, “in every church”. Because, unity of faith is absolutely essential.   

What causes this diversion? “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” (Proverbs 13.10). So Paul gives a warning to the prideful ones that are dividing in 18-19— “Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.” Did you see that He said— “not the speech but the power”? Because talk isn’t action. Paul was not going to let their proud sinning (puffed up) go unchallenged…because of the Gospel’s sake. The reality of their true spiritual power would become clear at the confrontation. Paul said he “will know” which means to put to the test, to examine, and to confront. Faithfulness and fruit is what matters to Jesus. Proof. All else is talk.True spiritual-biblical authority have a certain way— “For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Matthew 7.29). The ‘advisors’ just provide talk, and therefore dissension. 

Spiritual character is measured not by the impressiveness of words, but by the power of God through the life of the believer. There ought to be fruit from their ‘talk’. Verse 20 said— “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” Which comes first? James said in James 2.18-19— “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” Jesus said there is a severe danger of professing without faith in Matthew 7.21-23. He even said only a lifeless tree cannot bear good fruit (Matthew 7.16-20).

So what does this “power” look like? The greek word δύναμoς (dunamas) is where we get our word ‘dynamite’. So Paul said I would see the explosive nature of their faith in it’s strength or ability. A power beyond our natural power. And not in their words. This is precisely why we do not follow the thoughts or actions of carnality like others do. The power of God defines the Kingdom. What if the ones judging do not submit, quit, or refuse to listen? Verse 21 says— “What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?” True spiritual leaders need to use the “rod of correction” if people persist in this blatant public sin. The pattern for this correction is illustrated and explained in the next chapter (1 Corinthians 5) and in Matthew 18. Both of which demand confrontation. Paul leaves the choice up to them. He flat out said— ‘Do you want a spirit of meekness or a rod of correction?’ If they stop then he will come in meekness. If they don’t then He will have to do what he has to do, because the real leaders are responsible for the flock.

Last we re-read in verse 14— “I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.” This is a warning to spiritual children. Children of God. Spiritual in makeup and design, by the One who has made them new. No more playing games kids… the Gospel and the name of Jesus is at stake! We must: 1) Confront those who divide by judging and causing dissension. 2) Stop getting in the way of God showing off His power. You know—the real power! 

Jesus still wants to work with His people, or else we would have faded off into oblivion. But Satan creeps into churches primarily through attitudes and loose talk, causing dissension. There is a huge harvest to reap, an eternal one. The real spiritual authority will be by power and the work of the Spirit of God.