1 Corinthians 4--Ministering in Power, Not Pride

The Apostle Paul continues to warn the Corinthian believers to quit exalting their preachers and teachers. These preacher-teachers(Apollos, Paul and Peter) were all sound in doctrine and they worked together: Apollos planted, Paul watered, and God gave the increase. (1 Co 3:5-6). They were being exalted and judged on their style. The Corinthian church members were acting in arrogance to set themselves up as their judges and comparing their styles of ministry.

The Corinthians also gave themselves positions in the church and were proud of their social standing. Paul said of them: "Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us...(1 Co 4:8). Then he reminded them of his own ministry wherein he was rejected and underwent constant hardships so that others might come to know the truth and be saved from their sins and from the wrath of God. He told them that he had the power of God in his ministry but they did not because of their pride. He told them to follow his example.

How many in the church today would be willing to give up their social position and comfortable living to minister in the power of God? Paul did. In discussing his former upper class social position, Paul said: "...I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ (Philippians 3:8).