First Corinthians 4 Part 5 Preaching The Gospel Brings Suffering & Glory

Paul is going to get very real with the church at Corinth. They were self satisfied, seeking spiritual experiences and failing to do the Great Commission work that we are called to do (See Matthew 28:18-20).

Paul's character and reputation was maligned by those who caused divisions in the church. 

The apostle will rebuke the Corinthians by simply reminding them of all his personal sufferings for the sake of the gospel. 

As we read through these things, we should remember that the Christian life often involves suffering for Christ's sake, because He suffered all for us.

Physical suffering and abuse was certain. 

1 Corinthians 4:9  For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 

What a beginning statement! Paul declares that sometimes it seems like the Father made His apostles the lowest, and destined for martyrdom.

It is true that all of the apostles except John, died as martyrs. They all suffered for preaching the gospel and proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ. 

Paul alludes to  the bloody spectacles in the Roman amphitheaters, where men were exposed to fight with wild beasts, or to cut one another to pieces. 

This was Rome's vile way of entertaining its citizens. 

Combatants who survived the morning session did not escape even though they destroyed their adversary. They lived to face another combatant to be cut in pieces to die. 

Most of the combatants were criminals and appointed to death. They were set forth last, because the gladiators who fought one another in the afternoon were most exposed, being obliged to fight naked. 

The historian Seneca described it as "mere butchery. They have nothing to cover them; their whole body is exposed to every blow, and every stroke produces a wound.” 

Those exposed to beasts in the morning were treated mercifully in comparison with those who fought unarmed in the afternoon.

Paul is showing us that the apostle of Jesus Christ were exposed to continual danger of death of the worst kinds. 

This came upon them because they were faithfully doing what Christ called them to do. 

God had set them forth as mutual combatants in the sufferings of Christ.  The power of God's grace flowed into them  to confirm the truth of their mission and doctrine. 

Spreading the Christian faith and lifting up the cross of Christ as mankind's only hope was their chief mission. 

God was glorified in all of this  but His apostles were as much exposed to vile treatment as those Roman criminals.

Thus, the apostles suffered many things for the sake of the gospel of Christ while the Corinthians lived a pleasant life of comparative ease.

Mockery and slander are directed at those who follow Christ. 

1 Corinthians 4:10  We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 

Paul continues the allusion to the public spectacles of the Romans. Spectators would hiss, hoot, mock, and hurl vile insults at the poor victims. 

Philo wrote about this in a letter to Caius, speaking of the treatment which the Jews received at Rome. “For, when we are exhibited in a theater, we are hissed, most outrageously hooted, and insulted beyond all bounds.” 

This is a very strong rebuke to Christians at Corinth who fought over which man they followed as they abused the spiritual gifts God gave them.

In comparison to the apostles, these Christians lived like kings, and this is the point Paul is driving at. 

We are not called to live like kings in the lap of luxury and sensuality. We are called to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow hard after Jesus. 

The Spirit of God guided Paul to expose the Corinthians obsession with being seen as wise and learned Christians.  

The apostles suffered disgrace for delivering the plain truths of the gospel in as plain and understandable manner. 

The Corinthians coveted a reputation for human eloquence and wisdom, which made them appear as wise men in Christ. 

Thus, the apostles were weak, but the Corinthians were strong. The apostles suffered greatly while the Corinthians enjoyed the comforts of life.

Those who preach the word and lead each church will suffer greatly. 

1 Corinthians 4:11-13  Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12  And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13  Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. 

Paul has more to say to the Corinthians about his personal sufferings. 

Even as he wrote to the Corinthians, Paul suffered from a lack of food, fresh water and clothing appropriate for the changing weather conditions. 

He still faced beatings and had no designated place for shelter and rest. Each church planted by the apostles should have helped support the men sent by God, for this is how God funds His work.

Yet, the Corinthian church in particular was guilty of not using their bountiful resources as God intended them to do. Paul will address this later on.

Therefore, Paul and his companions had to work with their own hands, making and selling tents in order to survive. 

They should have received support from the churches so that they could fully devote themselves to gospel ministry. 

Pagans and intellectuals heaped verbal abuse upon the apostle but he did not respond in kind. 

Rather, he blessed them and demonstrated the love of God for them.

Paul was often driven out of a city by angry mobs of Jews and Gentiles, but his attitude was to endure the persecution patiently.

They were defamed and received vile insults and hateful attitudes, but Paul continued to preach the gospel and invite people to repent and turn to Christ for salvation. 

Paul said they were viewed with great contempt and made as the filth of the world and the off scouring of all things.

To understand the full force of these words, we must understand that Paul alludes to a certain pagan custom. 

In a time of great crisis, the citizens of the impacted city selected some of the most vile men to be a public expiation for them. 

The pagans maintained these men by providing food, clothing and shelter for a whole year at the public expense. 

Then they led them out, crowned with flowers, as was customary in their sacrifices. 

Next, they heaped all the curses of the country upon their heads, and whipped them seven times. 

After this they burned these men alive, and their ashes were thrown into the sea, while the people said these words: "Be thou our propitiation." 

This is a glimpse of how perverted man's religions truly are. 

Propitiation means that God is now for us, not against us.

Romans 8:31-32  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 

"Propitiation" is a beautiful word that means the Father in heaven is fully satisfied by the suffering, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of His Son, Jesus Christ. The Father is now "for" us not against us.

However, propitiation is based upon the "expiating" work of Jesus Christ. This beautiful word means to take away, and Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (See John 1:29).

Jesus suffered the wrath of God that should have been poured out on us. 

He died in our place, and by faith His death is accounted as our death, because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

Christ's resurrection life is given to the believer in Christ, so that when we leave this life, we will live eternally with Christ.

Propitiation rests upon the expiating and atoning work of Jesus Christ. 

Romans 5:8-11  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 

The expiation of our sins by Christ and the resulting propitiation of the Father, means that we receive a full and complete atonement from God. 

We have peace with the Father through faith in Christ. 

The love of God is poured into us through faith in Christ. 

The Spirit of God gives us a new heart and new spirit through faith in Christ.

Jesus loved us so much that even though we were vile sinners and His enemies, He willingly died in our place. 

His blood is the once for all payment for mankind's sin of all generations of humanity.

We are reconciled to the Father by the death of Christ and we are justified by the Father through faith in Christ. 

Paul and the other apostles suffered all manner of hardship for the sake of the gospel, because they were tasked with preaching the Word no matter how the people responded. 

All these things are a strong warning to us from God. 

1 Corinthians 4:14  I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 

Paul's description regarding the vile treatment endured by the apostles of Christ, should make any apathetic, lazy or  uninvolved Christian feel ashamed.

Yet, the apostle did not write these things to make them ashamed and more sympathetic to his plight.

No, he wrote them as a very strong warning to all Christians in all generations. We must take heed to his words.

We are called to live a life of self denial, and mortifying our flesh and carnal impulses. 

We are called to take up our cross each day and follow Jesus Christ.

We are called to live for the glory of God instead of living for self.

We are called to love and serve God alone, not to love the world or the things of the world (See 1 John 2:15-17).

We cannot serve God and mammon. We cannot serve two masters (See Matthew 6:24).

Therefore, we must set our affection on the things above where Christ is seated on His throne in glory. 

Listen to what God is saying to us.

Matthew 6:33-34  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 

The Corinthian Christians failed at this. They were living for self and sought the praise of men rather than the praise from God.

Jesus tells us how our lives should be oriented. Each day, we must seek first the kingdom of heaven. 

What does God want me to do today? 

How can I bring glory to His name today?

What will God teach me as I read His word today?

What will the Spirit of God guide me to pray about today?

How can I be a blessing to others today?

When our focus is in the right place then our life will be right with God.

Colossians 3:1-2  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

Bob