1 Corinthians 4:6-7

1 Corinthians 4:6-7

Brothers and sisters, I applied these things into myself and Apollos for the sake of you all, in order that you all should learn in us not more than what has been written – in order that not one should be proud for the sake of himself against the other.  For who judges you superior?  And what do you have that you did not receive?  And if you even received, why do you boast as if you did not receive?

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul suggests that he compares himself and Apollos for the benefit of the Corinthians.  What he is saying is that he has put Apollos up as an example for the people to learn from.  Remember the example that Paul said.  “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”  When people want to differentiate themselves based on their human pedigree, the example Paul lifts up is that pedigree doesn’t even matter.  The example before the Corinthians is that God is important.

Who reminds you that God’s work is more important than your own work or even the work of others?  Whose example can you look into to see this truth at work?

Second Thought:

Paul asks a question that is similar in theme as to the rest of his chapter.  “Who judges you superior?”  In other words, Paul is asking who’s judgment is important.  Is it important for me to judge myself better than another person?  No way!  What is important is God’s perspective of me.  What is important is God’s judgment of heart and motivation.  Superiority is nothing.  After all, what is more important – that I am received by God at all or the order in which I am received?

How important is God’s judgment for you in your life?  How do you know this is true for you?

Third Thought:

Paul asks a really great question here in this last sentence.  If we acknowledge that everything that we have is something we have received, then why do we boast about ourselves?  It really is a simple concept.  If we believe that every good thing that we have comes from God, then why do we spend so much time focusing on ourselves?  What I do doesn’t matter.  What God does through me is what matters.  God is the focus, not me.

Do you find it easier to brag on yourself or brag on God?  When do you find it easy to brag on God?  When do you find it easy to brag on yourself?  What does this tell you?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Corinthians 4:8-9