Paul's Exhortation to Humility and Imitation of Christ (1 Cor. 4:6-21)

I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written, so that none of you will be inflated with pride in favor of one person over against another. 7 Who confers distinction upon you? What do you possess that you have not received? But if you have received it, why are you boasting as if you did not receive it? 8 You are already satisfied; you have already grown rich; you have become kings without us! Indeed, I wish that you had become kings, so that we also might become kings with you. 9 For as I see it, God has exhibited us apostles as the last of all, like people sentenced to death, since we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and human beings alike. 10 We are fools on Christ’s account, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clad and roughly treated, we wander about homeless 12 and we toil, working with our own hands. When ridiculed, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we respond gently. We have become like the world’s rubbish, the scum of all, to this very moment. 14 I am writing you this not to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 Even if you should have countless guides to Christ, yet you do not have many fathers, for I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 Therefore, I urge you, be imitators of me. 17 For this reason I am sending you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord; he will remind you of my ways in Christ [Jesus], just as I teach them everywhere in every church. 18 Some have become inflated with pride, as if I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord is willing, and I shall ascertain not the talk of these inflated people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a gentle spirit?

Paul emphasizes the humility and responsibility required of Christian leaders who are servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries. He warns against premature judgment, emphasizing God's role as the ultimate judge who will reveal the hidden motives of hearts. Paul acknowledges his own accountability before God, rather than human judgment.  Paul then admonishes the Corinthians against pride and division in the church as a result of different factions, boasting, and misplaced allegiances (1 Cor. 4:1-5).  

The Corinthians tended to form factions around different leaders (1 Cor. 3:5-9) and Paul urged them to adhere to the teachings of scripture.  He reminded them that everything they have comes from God, including their spiritual gifts and blessings.  Paul told them that they have become “kings” in their own eyes because they are self-sufficient but they mistakenly believe that they are spiritually mature.  Followers of Christ are persecuted and suffer publicly like prisoners sentenced to death.  He described the Apostles as "fools" and "weak" in the eyes of the world but emphasized their true strength and wisdom in Christ and accused them of boasting of their own wisdom and strength.  Apostles suffer hunger, thirst, poverty, persecution, and toil with their hands to support themselves yet remain faithful to their mission of preaching the Gospel.  Paul told them that his intention in writing was to offer correction and guidance.  He brought them to faith in Christ through his preaching of the Gospel.  He is their spiritual father and urges them to imitate him as he imitates Christ (1 Cor. 11:1).  

Paul intends to send his spiritual son Timothy to be an example for them and remind them of his teachings.  Some of the Corinthians had become filled with pride and were improperly asserting themselves in Paul’s absence.  Paul tells them that if it is God’s will, he will soon visit them and discuss the authenticity of their spiritual power. The kingdom of God does not consist of empty words.  It is the tangible manifestation of God's power in the life of believers.  Would they prefer him to come and chastise them or come with a message of reconciliation and restoration?

Almighty God, grant us the humility to follow the example of the Apostles by embracing unity and fidelity to Christ.  Help us avoid pride and division among all who serve you and find strength in your power and grace.  This we pray through the same Christ our Lord.  Amen!

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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.

                Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.