1 Corinthians 4:1-9

1 Corinthians 4:1-9

4 So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries. Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.

So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.

Dear brothers and sisters, I have used Apollos and myself to illustrate what I’ve been saying. If you pay attention to what I have quoted from the Scriptures, you won’t be proud of one of your leaders at the expense of another. For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?

You think you already have everything you need. You think you are already rich. You have begun to reign in God’s kingdom without us! I wish you really were reigning already, for then we would be reigning with you. Instead, I sometimes think God has put us apostles on display, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade, condemned to die. We have become a spectacle to the entire world—to people and angels alike.

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This is an interesting passage about judging others, and especially about judging our leaders.  Paul is saying “NO JUDGING OF OTHERS.”  Judging is God’s task and it is reserved for the end of time.

Paul then says we are like “prisoners of war condemned to die,” adding that “we have become a spectacle.”  What does he mean by this?  I can understand it in terms of people, but of angels?  The only way it makes sense to me is how “the foolishness of preaching,” and the “foolishness of God’s wisdom” is seen by the world.  It also makes sense in terms of “turning the world upside down.”  I’m certainly too reserved to become a spectacle.  Sounds like Paul is saying that’s not good.  I need to be willing to be more of a spectacle for God.

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