1 Corinthians 4:18-21 - I am Coming to You

18 Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.
19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power.
20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power.
21 What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

The Kingdom of God Consists of Power

V. 18 - “Some have become arrogant” - These people have strayed from the truth, “fallen off the wagon”, and are teaching falsehoods. Because they believe Paul is not returning to Corinth, they see no reason to remain faithful. This is not just a problem with the Corinthian church - all humans tend to rebellion, especially if they are sure no one is looking, or will catch them. If you read the Isaiah or Jeremiah, you will see this as a recurring theme. Because God is “not paying attention”, anything goes. The Corinthian church is making the same egregious error as the Jews of ancient Israel and Judah.

V. 19 - “I shall find out” - If God allows Paul to return to Corinth he will determine for himself what is going on in that church.

“Not their words... but their power” - Are they living in the power of the Holy Spirit? Are they living by their own devices and power? The Holy Spirit is the source of the overflowing life (John 7:37-39). God has provided for us an abundant and fruitful Christian life. (John 10:10, 15:5; Gal. 5:22, 23; Acts 1:8). (See Note 1, below)

Carnal Christians cannot experience the abundant and fruitful life. The carnal man trusts his own efforts to life he Christian life. (Rom. 5:8-10, 7:5-24; Heb. 10:1-25, 1 John 1; 2:1-3; 2 Peter 1:9; Acts 1:8)

Jesus promised the abundant and fruitful life as the result of being filled (directed and empowered) by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit-filled life is the Christ-directed life by which Christ lives His life in and through us in the power of the Holy Spirit. (John 15) - (see note 1 below).

V. 20 - “the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power” - What you say can be a manifestation of who you are. But the Spirit-filled life is demonstrated by your behavior - your physical life if manifestation of your spiritual life. What is said may not always be the truth - we lie to ourselves as much as we lie to others. We cannot lie to God (we may try, but God knows and reveals all; He cannot be fooled). He will not lie to us.

When Paul comes, it will not be to just talk to them. He will come in the power of the Holy Spirit, and will offer reproof, correction, love and power in the Spirit.

V. 21 - “What do you desire?” - Paul is asking which do you prefer: chastisement, or gentle love and teaching? Paul is going to teach no matter where he goes. The question remains if they want to remain rebellious to receive stern correction and teaching, or if they want encouragement and instruction with love and tenderness? It is their choice.

This is our choice, also. We can follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, patterning our lives after the leading of Christ. We can follow our own guidance, rejecting the leading of the Holy Spirit, knowing full well that our path with diverge from the path Christ would have us follow. Listen to the Lord, wherever you go: “You will hear a word spoken behind you, saying, ‘This is the correct way, walk in it,’ whether you are heading to the right or the left.” (Isa. 30:21). He will always be with you, to guide you, to help you, uphold you, comfort and teach.

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Note 1: For a more complete explanation and to discover how you can be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, please see and use the booklet “Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-filled Life”, by William R. Bright, President, Campus Crusade International.
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End of Chapter

1 Corinthians 4:14-17 - This is Not to Shame You

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
15 For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
16 Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.
17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.

Be Imitators of Me!

V. 14 - “I do not write these things to shame you” - He is not trying to make them feel bad.

“admonish you as my beloved children” - He is giving them instructions. He is telling them where they are off-track, and the steps they need to take. “This is where you have gone wrong. This is what you need to do to become right again.” Guiding them as a father would teach his children, helping them learn the correct way to behave.
Our modern society has become very “feelings” oriented. Many rules, laws and decisions are made so peoples’ feelings are not hurt. Sometimes it seems that it doesn’t matter what the facts or reality of the situation may be. We will make decisions so people can feel good about themselves. We don’t deal with the sin that is causing the problem, but we feel good about ourselves.

V. 15 - “for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.” - Paul was there when they accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. Paul was the first to lead them to Christ. There may be many others that will come along to offer instruction and guidance. No matter how many teachers and preachers may come through their life, only one person was present at their new birth.

I committed my life to Christ in Dallas, TX during “Explo ‘72”. We had daily meetings in which the speaker, Howard Ball would teach us. Bill Bright would speak also, but it was Howard that had the deepest impact on me. His teaching and instruction helped me to see that I needed to turn my life over to Christ. I had grown up going to church with my parents. I had believed in Jesus and was baptized when I was a child. But it wasn’t until Explo ‘72 that it finally dawned on me what I needed to do. And, I will forever be grateful to Dave Nelson who mentored me and guided me in my spiritual growth, but it was Howard in Dallas who was there at my new birth.

V. 16 - “Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me” - How confident Paul is in his faith! Am I brave enough to encourage others to copy me and my Christian lifestyle? People should know I am a Christian. People should not be turned off to Jesus Christ because of my behavior. Even though you may not be a teacher or preacher, you are a Christian and your life is scrutinized by all around you.

V. 17 - “For this reason I have sent to you Timothy” - Timothy began to work with Paul after he and Silas worked their way through the area of Cilicia (An area of southern Turkey - which is between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea), and met in the town of Lystra. Timothy was the son of a Jewish mother and Greek father.
An interesting part of this account is that Paul asked Timothy to be circumcised, and he agreed. You may wonder at that, since Paul’s ministry was primarily to the Gentiles. Paul started almost every encounter in a town or city in a synagogue. The devout Jews would not speak or discuss with Timothy if he was not circumcised. Therefore his circumcision opened doors for Paul and Timothy to share the gospel.
Timothy’s circumcision was not a religious rite that made him acceptable to God. Think about that: he would do whatever it takes to be able to share Christ. It was pain and suffering endured so that he would not be hindered in sharing the gospel with anyone - Jew or Gentile. Silas and Timothy became such trusted co-workers that he had no qualms sending them to churches, or leaving them in cities to continue preaching. Paul could trust them to teach and preach.

“He will remind you of my ways which are in Christ” - Timothy was more than a co-worker. He is called “a beloved and faithful child in the Lord”. Being a solid and well-grounded believer, he could trusted to teach the principles of being a child of God. He will teach the same things Paul teaches, which Paul learned from the Lord Jesus Christ.

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1 Corinthians 4:9-13 - The Trials of Being an Apostle

9 For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.
10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor.
11 To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless;
12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;
13 when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.

You Are Strong, Distinguished!

V. 9 - “God has exhibited us apostles last of all” - God called the prophets in “the old days”. But the people did not listen or obey. “But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.” (Zech. 7:11-12)

God send His Son to proclaim peace and salvation with God. But the people did not listen - they crucified Him. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:36) Jew or Gentile - both rejected the gift from God. See: “but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness” (1 Cor. 1:23) The end for those who rejected Him will not be pretty. “And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.” (Rev. 11:8) They did not just turn their backs on Him, they killed Him.

God has called the apostles to spread the gospel of forgiveness and love through His Son, Jesus Christ. As Paul said earlier in this letter, “servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” The apostles and missionaries are not received any better than the prophets or the Messiah.

“Spectacle to the world” - Paul includes the fact they (Paul, and others) face opposition, including being jailed and executed (See: “condemned to death”). The apostles are not sneaking about in secret. They are proclaiming Christ publicly. Paul spoke to kings and religious leaders. He spoke to the learned scholars of the world in Athens. He spoke with the power leaders of Rome. He is out there, speaking for Christ in the spiritual and earthly realms.

V. 10 - “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ” - Paul speaks of the mercy of Jesus Christ in order to be true to his calling. In the face of intense opposition and hatred, Paul preaches Christ. It would seem foolish to put yourself out there in danger. You can almost hearing people saying to Paul, “Are you nuts!?”

Paul has praised their prudence in Christ. This does not mean they are hiding their faith, huddled in the basement. It means they have listened and responded. They have not rejected Christ as did the religious leaders. Their prudence and wisdom is demonstrated in their faith.

“We are weak, but you are strong” - Paul is encouraging them to be faithful. He may appear to be weak because he is constantly persecuted. They have strength beyond their understanding because they have the Lord. Our strength in the Lord is dependent upon the amount of trust we are willing to place in Him. There is no need to rely upon our own will power to succeed in our spiritual life. That is the paradox we live in - the life and power of the Lord is ours, but we bumble along, trying to tough it out.

“We are without honorr” - (you are distinguished) - Again, more encouragement. In this case, Paul is building them up, while claiming no honor for himself.

V. 11-13 - “Hungry... thirsty... poorly clothed... roughly treated... homeless” - A litany of the trials and tribulations of being an apostle! He is not complaining, but pointing out he is not traveling by corporate jet, being chauffeured in a stretch limo, making his missionary headquarters in a Hilton hotel suite.

“We toil... work, when we are reviled... blessed, when we are persecuted... endure” - In spite of those things arrayed against his ministry, his mission, Paul is still at work.

“Slandered... conciliate, scum of the world, dregs...” - He knows what the world, the non-believing world, thinks of him. What the world thinks is of little import, because it is what the Lord judges that matters. Paul is not thumbing his nose at the world, but is remaining faithful to the call given him.

He is not denigrating his call as an apostle or missionary, but is letting them know what he goes through to remain faithful to that call. We whine and complain about the disrespect and disdain the secular world around us shows to Christians. Paul did not face just a bad attitude towards him. He faced persecution and death. We need have an attitude more like Paul.

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1 Corinthians 4:6-8 - Which of You is Superior?

6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.
7 For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received
8 You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you.

Don’t Become Arrogant

V. 6 - “I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes” - Don’t pass judgment against each other based on your favorite evangelist. Whether it might be McGee, or Moody, or Calvin, or Graham (or in this case - Paul or Apollos) is of little importance. The Gospel is what matters.
Paul is applying this standard to himself, Apollos, Peter and others. He will not judge the ministry of these missionary-apostles. As long as they are preaching Christ and Him crucified, he has no problem with their message.

“No one of you will become arrogant” - No one is to place themselves as better than another. Claiming that high ground is placing your opinion equal with God’s.

Arrogance is not a new problem for believers, or so-called believers. Read through Isaiah or Jeremiah. Note how often it is said the people became arrogant towards God. Arrogance usually comes from not believing God’s warnings - refusing to believe He will do what He said He will do. It is coming to the erroneous conclusion that they can handle whatever God can dish out.

If we say we know more than God, about any situation, we have supplanted God as Lord of our lives. Refusing to obey, either by active rebellion or passive indifference, (That is a succinct definition of ‘sin’) is placing our mind, understanding, and will above the Lord’s. Refusing to place yourself in the proper order of things, with respect to God and His commands, is arrogance. It is refusing to see that it will not end well for you. As an example: I love to play golf, and have a handicap rating of 18 (really good golfers have a “0” handicap). It only takes a couple of holes when playing with a low handicap golfer to know that I have no chance of beating him. It would be foolish to challenge that golfer. Arrogance (stupidity) would tell me that I can take him.

V. 7 - “For who regards you as superior?” - Other than you yourself?

“What do you have that you did not receive?” - What did you do to earn salvation? What did you do that will pay the cost of your sin? How have you made yourself spotless and sinless before the Lord? If you could do that, then you could have a claim. As long as your salvation is given to you by God, there is nothing you can claim. Paul knows: “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.” (1 Tim. 1:15-16)

“Why do you boast as if you had not received it?” - We all are totally dependent on God’s mercy and patience. “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” (Rom. 9:16) God makes the salvation possible. We can respond to His call. “For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:17). The one death - Jesus Christ died for our sin - paid for us all. We have eternal life in Him. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23) Eternal life for you and me has been purchased by His blood.

V. 8 - “You are already filled, you have already become rich” - There is no need to build yourselves up in your or others’ estimation. You accepted Christ as savior - and Paul wasn’t there when it happened! And yet, you are still saved!

“[You] have become kings without us” - Because of Christ, we have all been given a ‘step up’ - we are now children of the living God, the Lord and King of the universe. A king’s children are royalty - and can be kings (or queens) themselves. You are royalty! The Lord and King is your Father who is in heaven. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have Received Mercy.” (1 Pet. 2:9-10) You were nothing. Now you are someone special!

“I wish that you had become kings” - I think Paul is making a gentle jest here. We are royalty in God’s kingdom. Paul is giving a little elbow in the ribs by telling them if they were made kings here on earth then he would be a king right along side them. Knowing that kingship here on earth is a paltry thing compared to reigning with God for eternity.

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1 Cor 4:1-5 - We Are Servants

Chapter 4 Outline:

4:1-5 - We Are Servants
4:6-8 - Fools, or, Do not be Arrogant
4:9-13 - Working to build you up
4:14-21 - Admonishments

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Introduction

Paul begins to wrap up the admonishment started in chapter 1:10 regarding who is the better believer  based on who led them to faith in Christ. Who is more ‘Christian’? Were you saved through J. Vernon McGee, or D. L. Moody, or Billy Graham? Which one of those makes you more saved, a better disciple? What? None of the above? Are you sure you are saved, then? That is the type of argument that was consuming the Corinthian church. Paul did not want special adulation from the church members, did not want worship. He knows he answers to the Lord. In fact, he is not comfortable analyzing his own performance.

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 - Christ Evaluates Our Service

1 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.
3 But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself.
4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.
5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

So No One Can Boast

V. 1 - “Let a man regard us in this manner” - Let’s be realistic. We - Paul, Apollos, Peter - have a job to do for the Lord. That is how we want to be judged. Don’t raise Paul or Apollos up on a pedestal, to be revered.

“servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God” - Judge the missionaries, ministers, pastors, or teachers on this: have they clearly taught the words of God - salvation in Jesus Christ, eternal life, forgiveness of sin, and love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (See: Gal. 5:22-23).

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Generally, a servant works for someone. A servant is not usually an independent operator, i.e., they are not given lots of latitude, or free reign, but follow instructions, directions or commands. (See Note 1, below)

A steward is responsible manages the affairs of another, and seems to have the freedom to utilize methods and techniques to achieve a goal. An example would be a financial advisor or manager - you hand over your ‘nest egg’, the advisor manages it. You don’t ‘micro-manage’, because you probably don’t have the expertise. There are basic goals for your account, and how these are met may be a mystery to you, but not to the financial advisor (you hope).

God called Paul, et. al., to be missionaries, apostles. Their service was to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. (See: Acts 2:6; 1 Cor. 2:2; Gal. 6:14) They were also called to explain the miracle of Jesus - the mystery. (Note: a ‘mystery’ is something God does in and through Christ that was not clearly prophesied or predicted in the Old Testament scriptures.) The Jews were looking anxiously for the Messiah, but somehow could not see the Messiah in Jesus Christ. The were looking for a victorious savior, but didn’t foresee His victory over death and His resurrection. Not only did they not anticipate Jesus’ victory over death, they were blinded to the actual event, and opposed those who did believe and accept Jesus as Savior. Paul’s eyes, and others eyes, were opened by the Lord to be able to see how Jesus fulfilled all the prophesies, and he taught these ‘mysteries’ to the new Christians.

Even more so when addressing Gentiles. Most Jews were familiar (or at least, should have been) with the prophesied Messiah. Gentiles’ understanding of the Jewish faith is probably very limited - Sabbath, circumcision (maybe), yarmulke (men’s skull caps), Israel, Jerusalem, etc. Paul’s evangelistic message would be the same to Jews and Gentiles - “Jesus died for your sins, according to the scriptures, and He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the scriptures...” (See: 1 Cor. 15:3-9) For Gentiles, the prophecies about the Christ may indeed be “mysteries”, and will need clarification and explanation. Most other religions in that era were not about making you a better person, forgiving your sins - most were appeals to get stuff from the gods. Nothing was done to relieve guilt, take away sin, give you hope.)

V. 2 - “it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy” - If your house manager is not trustworthy, you fire him. If your financial manager mismanages, you get someone else. The stakes here are even higher - eternal life or death. In reality, we all are required to be trustworthy with respect to our salvation and witness to the world.

V. 3 - “it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you” - Paul says, “You may think you judge me. I don’t even judge myself.” This does not mean Paul runs wild, doing anything he feels. He is well aware he must answer to the Lord, and it is only to the Lord. He knows the Lord misses nothing - good or bad. Paul knows what he is called to do. He is doing his best to follow God’s instructions to him. Paul is not thinking, “I am doing pretty well.” This kind of self congratulations usually involves comparing our own performance to some one else. God does not compare my actions to another’s. He judges my actions by His commands.

V. 4 - “The one who examines me is the Lord” - Paul emphasizes that it is not his own judgment that determines if he has met the Lord’s commands.

V. 5 - “Therefore do not go on passing judgment” - Mind you own business. Again, this is not carte blanche license to do anything (I mean anything). Committing sin is not acceptable in any circumstance. Forming factions based on who delivered the gospel message - Paul, Apollos, Barnabas, or Peter - is the issue here. How is “Christ died for your sin” correct if Paul says it, but not correct if Peter says it? We saw something similar when opponents of Jesus were going through the countryside preaching the gospel in order to cause trouble. When Jesus’ disciples objected, they were told the gospel is being preached even so. (See: Mark 9:36-40)

“Each man’s praise will come to him from God” - Wait for it. Let God sort it out. It is not your job to judge the work of another. Only the Lord can do this. Jesus deals with each of us on an individual level, and we do not have any authority to question that. See how Jesus dealt with this in John 21:20-23. 

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Note 1: There is a variety of appellations ascribed to Christians in the NT. We are children of God (1 John 3:2);  we are Jesus’s own people, He has purchased us by His blood (John 8:31); we are servants (Heb 4:1); we are slaves (Eph 6:6); we are the church (Mat 16:18, Acts 8:1), etc.  

1 Cor. 3:18-23 - You Belong to Christ

18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, "He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS";
20 and again, "THE LORD KNOWS THE REASONINGS of the wise, THAT THEY ARE USELESS."
21 So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you,
22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you,
23 and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.

No Bragging!

V. 18 - “Let no man deceive himself” - That is one thing we are really, really good at doing! No one likes to think they are as bad as they actually are. Self-deception is one of the powerful tools we use against our own best interests. (See: Gal. 6:3) Our pride and arrogance blinds us to our faults. (See also: Prov. 11:2; 15:25; 16:5; 18, 19; 18:12; 21:4, 24)

“Thinks he is wise in this age” - You may think you have all under control...

“Must become foolish” - It is time to reassess. If the non-believing world (“this age”) is telling you that you are doing the right thing by rejecting God’s offer and guidance - remember, the world’s wisdom is not God’s wisdom.

Stop. Re-think what you are doing. What is better for you in the long run, i.e., eternity? You may need to be “foolish” (as the non-believing world considers “wise” vs. “foolish”) and turn to the Lord Jesus, confess your sin and be cleansed. That’s the point you actually become “wise”, when you trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (See: Prov. 3:5-8)

V. 19 - “the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God” - We think we are so smart. We are so scientific, understanding everything. We believe, we depend on SCIENCE! Yet we are so ignorant of the things of God. We look into the far reaches of the universe, trying to look back into time, to discover how the universe was made. We can’t even be sure, scientifically, when it was made. We have no idea, scientifically, how life started on the earth, how the animals came into being, nor humans. We have THEORIES! These are ‘scientific guesses’, masquerading as knowledge. (See Note 1, below) You may wish to reject the concept that God spoke the universe into existence. You are helpless in proving otherwise.

The physical universe is but a tiny part of what we don’t know about God. The areas of interpersonal relationships, of governments and governing, of peace and war - all of these, as we look at history show how little we know about what we are doing. Man’s inhumanity to man is not an isolated incident. It runs rampant throughout the world.

“For it is written....” - Quoted from Job 5:13. “He frustrates the plans of the crafty so that their hands cannot accomplish what they had planned! He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the cunning is brought to a quick end.” Mankind operates upon its own knowledge and power. We see what devastation we cause - human-to-human. God wants us to assess what we are and do, and He provides a better way. Our own wisdom and craftiness brings pain and destruction. God provides love and forgiveness. We want the forgiveness, but do not want to give it. Because we refuse to live by God’s standards, we live in pain and suffering.

V. 20 - “and again” - Quoted from Psalm 94:11- “The LORD knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile.” If the thoughts of man are directed by the Lord, the futility begins to dwindle away. Human futility seems to be a permanent feature of our existence, most likely due stubbornness and habit. God’s wisdom within us must be nurtured. It is not natural to us. Rebellion and rejection of God and His ways are more natural to humans.

V. 21 - “So then let no one boast in men” - Don’t brag that you were saved by Paul, therefore you are a better Christian; or vice-versa for Apollos, or Peter.

“For all things belong to you” - This seems to be an odd, off-the-wall conclusion. Think on this - if you have Jesus, then Paul, Apollos, and Peter are mere bagatelles (I almost likened them to carnival trinkets, but that is a bridge too far. But, yet, they are not Christ. Wonderful and as grateful as we can be for their faithful service bringing the message of salvation - they are not Christ.)

If you are the Lord’s own, because you have believed in Him and accepted Him as Lord and Savior - you have the mind of Christ. (See: 1 Cor. 2:16) When Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, we have the Holy Spirit. (See: John 14:16, 26; 15:26) He will place the necessary understanding in our mind and thoughts when needed. Christ is not an ancillary add-on to our lives. He is not a repair job, where the dents are pounded out, or “bondo” is used to fill in and smooth over damage, a new coat of paint added to cover blemishes. He is not “part of our lives - Jesus IS our life.

The "all things" referred to here are not new cars, new houses, fancy clothes, money, money, money! All the things the Lord gives - peace, forgiveness, sanctification, redemption, salvation, God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, etc., - these are yours in full. How about love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness gentleness, and self-control? Yours in full! (See: Gal. 5:22-23) How about whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, or lovely, whatever is of good repute, excellence, and worthy of praise? Yours in full! What about the peace of God, and peace with God? Yours in full! (See: Phil. 4:8)

V. 22 - "All are yours" - What a list! The eight items in Philippians listed above encompass all there is or may be. Paul expands on those here in this verse to include: People they know, people important in their lives; the world around them; life; death; now and not-yet!
“Paul, Apollos, Cephas” - These men brought them to Christ, mentored them in their faith helping them grow closer to Jesus.
“world” - Where they live, their towns, their family, neighbors, authorities, governments, etc.
“life or death” - How you are living now. What will you be when you die.
“things present or things to come” - Every thing you will experience in this life, or the life to come.

“For all things belong to you” - Repeated for emphasis. Paul says the world is yours. You have new life in Christ. This isn’t just slogan, church-talk.

V. 23 - “and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God” - If  “you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Rom. 10:9-10)

In Christ you have life. See: John 20:31; Rom. 6:3, 8:9; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 2:5, 13; Col. 2:6, 3:1; 2 Tim. 3:15; 1 John 1:3. See, also: John 3:35, 14:12, 28, 16:10, 20:17; Matt. 11:27, 16:27; Mark 8:38,13:32; Luke 10:22.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you are His.

You are safe and secure. No one can take you away from Him. All power has been given to Christ from the Father. All power belongs to God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Many people have the honor and privilege to serve Jesus Christ as missionaries, preachers, and teachers. Their job is to be the conduit through which the Spirit of God flows to tell the world of the love which Christ wants to share and bless the world. They are not the message, Christ is the message of hope and salvation.
It is important to realize that it is not just pastors and missionaries that are to take the Gospel into the world. It is you and me. We are to share the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ to our neighbors, our towns, our nation. Our life is to portray Jesus living in us. We are to speak words of grace and hope to those around us.

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Note 1: I learned a couple of terms in my engineering career: one was "WAG", another was "SWAG", when referring to conclusions drawn. "WAG" is an acronym for "Wild-A..-Guess. "SWAG" is short for "Scientific-Wild-A..-Guess".
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End of Chapter

1 Cor. 3:16-17 - Temple of God

16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
17 If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.

You Are the Temple of God, and Holy

V. 16 - “you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you” - The Tabernacle (from Moses’ time through David’s) and then the Temple (Solomon’s time until it was destroyed by Babylon) was where the Lord resided. (See: Exo. 40:34-35; 1 Ki. 8:11; 2 Chr. 5:14, 7:1-3) I do not think there is any reference to the glory of the Lord filling the several rebuilt temples, starting with Ezra/Nehemiah up through the coming of Jesus.

Do not misunderstand, God was not confined to the Holy of Holies room in the Tabernacle or Temple. But, except for relatively rare instances, in the Old Testament, God did not enter and empower individuals. The men who built the Tabernacle, or constructed the several accoutrements in the Temple (Ark of the Covenant, Altar, etc.), were filled with the Holy Spirit empowering them to do the work per God’s instructions. When the work was completed, the Holy Spirit no longer filled them.

The Holy of Holies, and God’s presence there would seem to provide ‘tangible’ evidence that there is a God, and He is with them. As if getting Israel out of Egypt miraculously, etc., was not enough! I suppose that people could say, “That was then! Where is He now, when we need Him?!”

This statement, “You are the temple of God...” has massive implications and meaning for the Jews, especially the Jews in that time period. They still had a Temple in Jerusalem. They believed God’s presence was to be found in the Holy of Holies, with the Ark of the Covenant, and the Seraphim. This place was so holy that only the high priest, after cleansing and offerings for himself, was allowed to enter. Jews from all over the world, not just Judea and Samaria, made treks to Jerusalem to present their offerings and sacrifices. Non-Jewish people also would understand, perhaps not in the same intensity, the importance of a Temple. I have seen and read in magazines and books the ruins of temples to the various gods and goddesses, (I have never been to Greece or Rome, etc.).  Temples are where you go to meet god. (That thought process lives in us even in our ‘enlightened selves’ - consider all massive elegant cathedrals or temples the various denominations and religious organizations have constructed.)

By massive implications, consider the following: No longer must you go to Jerusalem to speak with God, to offer sacrifice, to be cleansed and forgiven. God is with you. God is in you. The Temple and the various altars and tables and appliances had to be cleansed and purified before they could be used. (See: Exo. 29:10ff) The cleansing was always with blood.

You, personally, are now a Temple of God. You have been cleansed by the blood Jesus shed on the cross. By His death you have been made holy - holy enough for the God of the universe to be in you. No longer do you make a trek across land or sea to a place to meet with God, to be forgiven, cleansed and used for His glory. No longer do you need a certain man or priest to stand in for you - between you and God! God is there with you, there inside your heart, mind, and soul. You talk directly to God Himself. You do not need a pastor, a minister, Bible Study leader, elder or deacon to speak to God. You have Jesus, the Son of God, God Himself to talk to, to pray to.

Meditate on that, and allow the massive implication blow your mind. It is staggering, frightening, and wonderful.

V. 17 - “If any man destroys the temple of God” - I think this has a two-fold meaning: persecution of Christ believers, and being led away from your belief and faith in Christ by enemies of God. Enemies of God will try to destroy the person as well as the faith of that person. Coercion, jail, torture, murder - all of these and more will be used to destroy Jesus’ own. In so-called civilized countries, believers are pressured to abandon the faith, to turn their backs on Jesus in order to save jobs, reputations, homes, families. Sometimes the pressure is very subtle, but pressure none-the-less. In less civilized areas, believers are martyred. We have seen that very thing happen in the Middle East countries, in Africa, led by extremists.

“God will destroy him,  for the temple of God is holy” - Note that God does not destroy the believer, but the oppressor. Again, an amazing statement - you are a holy temple for the Lord! I look at myself, and am astounded the God considers ‘this’ as holy! Yet, God has not changed. God was Holy when He brought the people of Israel out of Egypt. He was Holy, and commanded the Tabernacle, and later the Temple to be made pure and holy for His presence. He filled the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and Temple when they were purified.

God is Holy, and always will be Holy. And this Holy God will live within you, making you holy also. That same terrifying presence is at peace in you because you accept and believe Jesus has shed His blood for your sins. You have been purified, sanctified, and made holy for the God of the universe to be in you.

God will bring every act to judgement. (Eccl 12:14) He will not be disrespected. You are His holy dwelling place. God no longer dwells in a temple, tabernacle, or cathedral. God dwells in us, in people. I do not know the extent of the ‘destruction’, nor when it comes about. I do know that I do not want to be on the receiving end of that wrath. Everything, everyone who rejects God and Jesus will be unholy, and will have no place in the New Jerusalem. Their names will not be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

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Note 1: The original Temple was built by Solomon, and completed about 957 BC. It was destroyed a couple of times by the Assyrians or Babylonians. Ezra and Nehemiah rebuilt the Temple between 515-444 BC. King Herod repaired and rebuilt the Temple in 20 BC. That Temple is the one Jesus worshipped in, and cleaned out. (Luke 19:45-47) That Temple is where the veil on the entrance to the Holy of Holies was torn in two when Jesus died on the cross. (Luke 23:45) Between 70-135 AD, the Temple was completely destroyed, never to be rebuilt by the Jews. (Islam has built a temple, the Dome of Rock, on the Temple Mount, and it still exists there now.)