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Am I not free? Religion 1 Corinthians 9
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

1 Corinthians 9:1 New Heart English Bible

Freedom and Religion

Eric Kress outlines two main points of application from the previous chapter of 1 Corinthians 8:
- a. The caution concerning your exercise of freedom (v.9-12)
- b. The care you must take when contemplating the use of your freedom (v.13)
Idols – Stumbling in Christian Liberty – 1 Corinthians 8

Paul’s 4 questions intertwined in context and application

Paul’s four-fold point (in the Apostle’s letter without chapter and verse) begins:

οὐκ εἰμὶ ἐλεύθερος

‘Not am I free?’ literally begins the Greek text.

OR the King James begins:

οὐκ εἰμὶ ἐλεύθερος

‘Am I not an apostle?’

1 Corinthians 9:1 Bibles

We won’t want to miss that the Apostle’s pivotal questions follow his concern regarding the idolatry of Corinth and communion between the saints of the Corinthian church with the revelers of the city.
- Am I not free?
- Am I not an apostle?
- Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?
- Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?
  - 1 Corinthians 9:1 NIV
Freedom of religion
```
A hypothetical case contemplating the use of our freedom:
```
Suppose for a moment that most every Sunday you go to some local church with an identifiable ‘christian‘ NAME like:
- such and such FREE church or
- Our evangelical denomination brand church
- City name Christian church
- Korinthian cathedral and parish?
Won’t most of the people who know you in town also know that:
- you claim to be a saint,
  - part of you so-named christian church
- worshiping some god JESUS
- preached by some Apostle Paul
- AND in this church occasionally inviting YOU
  - (of another sect celebrating other gods)
  - to go gather in community with these worshipers of One JESUS Christ their Lord?
Therefore in Paul’s setting of Corinth around A.D. 55:

Shouldn’t these Corinthian christians come join our religious feasts and live the life of revelry and worship we do with our gods?

Why should they?

As we have learned previously in Paul’s letter, his question is not so much:
- where the Corinthian saints go join in the community as much as
- how they exercise their freedom publically as witnesses of Jesus Christ our Lord.
To the Jews and by the Law food sacrificed to idols would seem to be the unlawful offence against the Lord God. (The Messiah Jesus [Yeshua] after all was hailed as the King of the Jews.)

Community feasts and festivals were, after all, organized by Jews (a small minority in the city), Roman citizens, Hellenists or perhaps adherents of some other foreign religion.
```
In a Common Era context, (perhaps Orthodox or Latin Catholic) religious communions and idolic festivals resemble that of the larger communities of like A.D. first century Roman Corinth.
```
Authority of an Apostle

4 Have we no right to eat and to drink?

5 Have we no right to take along a wife who is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?

8 Do I say these things according to human authority?

Or does not the Law also say the same thing?
```
Paul then quotes the Law of Moses. 

And without getting into technical reasons why, the more authoritative KJV begins with Paul's apostleship. It then proceeds to freedom. And ALL of Paul's four questions lead us to his authority in personal witness of the risen Christ and the Apostle's ultimate authority over those gathered as the saints of the Corinthian church.
```
Paul’s Deuteronomic illustration of the muzzled ox begs the question:

.. Is God merely concerned about oxen?

Or is He speaking altogether for our sake?

Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops.

If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

1 Corinthians 9:11 LSB [context vs. 9-14]

Paul’s Humble Witness of Christ

If others share this authority over you, do we not more?

Nevertheless, we did not use this authority, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:12

NO MAN IS FREE OF AUTHORITY.

Paul points out that he and Barnabas, as apostles of the risen Jesus Christ, do NOT impose their true authority over the church for their own gain.

Apostles of the Lord all take on the humility of Jesus for Christ’s sake.

And Paul points out that community leaders who do have authority over feasts, festivals and cities must not see these ‘CHRISTIANS‘ as a hindrance to Christ — a Korinthian christian who becomes a stumbling block to true faith.

14 So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel… For woe is me if I do not proclaim the gospel.

The Religion of Paul’s saints
```
Many of Paul's questions are rhetorical, designed to make us think through the logic connecting theology and religion,

our knowledge of God with our witness of faith. 
```
Everyone practices religion. A Korinthian will get up early, stretch their mind and muscles, breathe in the life-giving air of mother self — and then go worship her at some celebration of community occasion of feasts in the name of some god of their passions.

The Apostle knew the religion of Roman sailors and Corinthian guides to the temples of debauchery! So he cautions the saints of Corinth to abstain from such religion in all cases for the sake of Christ.

Religion defined and maligned

Men will write for religion, fight for It, die for it; anything but live for it.

W. Cotton Commentary on James 1:26-27

But NOT the Apostle Paul.
- I make myself a slave to everyone – 1 Cor 9:19b
- To the Jews I became like a Jew v.20
- To the weak I became weak -v.22
Nor James, half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem Church (perhaps referencing the traditional religious practices of some Jews).

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

James 1:26 NIV

Even James writes warnings against hypocrisy; not against the Jews but the Hellenists of every town.

And like James, the Apostle Paul cautions the saints of Corinth against getting caught up in an inclusiveness of the local religious practices of other religions.

Adherents of Christian religion are NOT free to practice any anti-Christ religion in order to win someone to Biblical freedom of religion.

Why is religion most maligned in the name of freedom by preachers from other churches freely claiming Christ?

Roger@talkofJesus.com

Definition of Religion – θρησκεία
```
I urge you, brothers and sisters, saints of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to drill down into thoughtful application of the definition of religion below. - RH 
```
Strong’s G2356 – thrēskeia – feminine noun, From a derivative of θρησκός (G2357), adjective, from θροέω (G2360), verb
θρησκεία – Religion, Worshipping –
- religious worship
  
  esp. external, that which consists of ceremonies
  
  religious discipline, religion
Definition of Religious θρησκός

Strong’s G2357 – thrēskos adjective, (Probably from the base of θροέω (G2360): to cry aloud, make a noise by outcry

religious (apparently from τρέω to tremble; hence, properly, trembling, fearful

fearing or worshipping God

to tremble, trembling, fearful
```
Religious fear and worship such as this appears throughout the Bible.  (Today however we will not examine several religious encounters with the LORD from Old Testament.) 
```
An Apostle claiming Corinthian saints for Christ
```
Returning to Paul's first letter to the Corinthians: 
```
Paul the Servant to All

19 Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
```
Imagine that! -- an Apostle and witness of the risen Christ Jesus -- a man with complete religious authority over the church, especially those saints who belong to Christ in places like Corinth to whom the Apostle writes his epistle. 
```
23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

Paul has already stated clearly:

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to proclaim the gospel, not in wisdom of word, so that the cross of Christ will not be made empty.

1 Corinthians 1:17 LSB

In the opening of his epistle Paul continues:

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.
```
Consider that many who CLAIM "FREEDOM OF religion" truly argue for FREEDOM FROM RELIGION, which, of course, is "foolishness," since ALL men and women are religious about certain religious routines of   life and mortal limbs of dust. 
```
.. you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.

1 Corinthians 4:15b-16 LSB

Paul exerts his Apostolic authority as a loving father and exhorts his children of Christ’s Church religiously by his humble example.

Paul’s RELIGION is RELIGIOUS DISCIPLINE in the FREEDOM of the Gospel of Christ.

The Apostle claims the loyal saints of the Corinthian church for himself as their personal, loving father of the faith in Jesus Christ.

If others share this authority over you, do we not more?

Nevertheless, we did not use this authority, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:12 LSB

Are YOU a Korinthian falling down in your faith?

What is your city of Corinth, with its festivals so licentious that that they call you Korinthian for your sins — what is the life here in Corinth like?

And where does a saint of Christ Jesus fit into the milieu of these gods and your festivals?

HOW WILL YOU ever reach the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ when the Lord calls to Himself all of His saints?

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize?

Run in such a way as to take the prize.

Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline.

They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.
```
The Apostle, father of the Corinthian saints once again makes an example of his own religion and faith:
```
Therefore I do not run aimlessly;

I do not fight like I am beating the air.

27 No, I discipline my body

and make it my slave,

so that after I have preached to others,
```
(And here is Paul's warning of our own witness to our community, neighbors, friends and family..) 
```
I myself will not be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Berean Standard Bible

And NEXT, the Apostle to the Gentiles will once again warn the Jews who have come to Christ AND again the local Greeks of the Corinthian Church.

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
January 17, 2025
Commandments of Relationships in the Church 1 Corinthians 7
The Apostle clearly states both his authoritative advice AND commandments from the risen Christ Jesus.

I say this to give you permission. It is not a command.

1 Corinthians 7:6 ICB

Commandments for Christians from the Lord

Now I give this command for the married people. (The command is not from me; it is from the Lord.)
A wife should not leave her husband.
1 Corinthians 7:10 International Children’s Bible

Paul previously has already conceded to those who are single, ‘..because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.’ – 1 Corinthians 7:2 NKJV
```
The New King James Version HEADS this section of Paul's Epistle: Keep Your Marriage Vows
```
NOW Paul must address how a corinthianized saint of Christ’s Church in Corinth ought to apply such commands of the Lord.

‘Do NOT be unequally yoked’ is good pre-marital advice from the Bible.

Roger@talkofJesus.com

– referring to Paul’s Second letter to the Corinthians 6:14

Divorce

A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband.

And a husband is not to divorce his wife.

Let’s be clear on this command:
- For most of history ONLY the HUSBAND could sign a certificate of divorce.
- In this Common Era a WIFE is JUST AS LIKELY to sue her husband for divorce.
OR a ‘liberated‘ woman may simply leave (or evict) the husband of her vows, rather than seeking to reconcile their marital relationship as commandments of the Lord and scripture clearly state.

Any Exceptions or Advice?
```
(In deference to our own vows before the Lord, sometimes the hardness of a heart is that of our spouse.)
```
12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.

13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him.

The Apostle also makes clear his desire for fidelity in marriage between a CHURCH MEMBER and an unbeliever.

Scripture is clear: DO NOT commit adultery applies to HUSBAND and WIFE alike.

What about the kids?

The husband who is not a believer is made holy through his believing wife.

And the wife who is not a believer is made holy through her believing husband.

If this were not true, then your children would not be clean. But now your children are holy.

1 Corinthians 7:14 International Children’s Bible

Sanctified, the King James Version instructs.
ἁγιάζω – Strong’s G37 – hagiazō – From ἅγιος (G40) the same word scripture uses for ‘Holy’ and for ‘saint,’ the name identifying members of Christ’s church.
- to separate from profane things and dedicate to God
- to purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin
- to purify internally by renewing of the soul
MARRIAGE is HOLY, ITS TWO SAINTS ONE with each other and with CHRIST.
```
The saints of the church are Christ's SANCTIFIED ones, yet are our christian MARRIAGES a HOLY witness of CHRIST?
```
The Good News About Marriage also reveals the divorce rate among those active in their church is 27 to 50 percent lower than among non-churchgoers.

Jeff Feldhahn, husband of Shaunti Feldhahn, marriage researcher in 2019 CBN interview

Which spouse claiming to be christian while embracing adultery is NOT ACTIVE in worship in their local church?

So they divorce, often calling themselves, ‘single mom’ or ‘single dad,’ as if they had never been bound to any vow.

And they witness falsely to the world that they are ‘christians‘ (though in name only) who DIVORCE as FREELY and frequently as the rest of the world, those who vilify Christ our Lord, His Church and every Christian family.

but IF the ..

ἄπιστος apistos – (note some meaning from various translations)

[departs, insists on leaving, leaves, separates, wants a divorce],

χωρίζω chōrizō – let him depart

.. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

1 Corinthians 7:15b KJV

ἄπιστος apistos
```
And what does the Bible call this person breaking their vows of marriage by divorce?
```
- unbelieving or unbeliever, KJV & NKJV
- the husband or wife who isn’t a believer, NLT
- unbelieving one, LSB
- unbelieving partner, AMP & RSV
- infidelis, VUL
```
In fact, since 
they trouble Christ, 
divide the saints and
cast chaos into the world of witness in Jesus Christ, 
those church members who DIVORCE become anti-Christs in the eyes of the world.
```
Let it be so. – 7:15b NIV

Concerning Change of Status

When this happens, the brother or sister in Christ is free. God called us to a life of peace. 16 Wives, maybe you will save your husband; and husbands, maybe you will save your wife. You do not know now what will happen later.

1 Corinthians 7:15c International Children’s Bible

This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.

Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches.

1 Corinthians 7:17 New Living Translation
```
Paul addresses the men - Jewish saints of the church as well as Greek or Roman converts to Judaism, now also saints adopted into Christ.
```
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain [abide] in the situation they were in when God called them.
```
This, of course, opens another relational question for women, as well as questions of status of Jews the circumcision, Greek Corinthians and Roman Corinthians, both the uncircumcision.
```
Slaves – δοῦλος –doulos

Rome had slaves.
```
(Most Bible translations prefer the less-offensive word, servants), but even employee labor is bought by your employer.) Some are slaves to their work. Others, slaves to
```
Lose a war, as the Greeks had to the Romans, and your citizens become subject to a government over which you have no control. Jews, whether in Corinth or Jerusalem were also either Roman citizens, free aliens or slaves to a Roman, Greek or other master, their lord.

doulos
1. a slave
2. metaph., one who gives himself up to another’s will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men
3. devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests
For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord.

Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.
```
So note here Paul's all-important metaphor:
```
You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants [doulos] of men.

So, brothers, [v.29 meaning ‘brothers and sisters’] in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

1 Corinthians 7:23 ESV

The Apostle uses ABIDE once again in v.23, his fourth of five times in 1 Corinthians 7.

Situation of the unmarried and widowed

25 Now I write about people who are not married. I have no command from the Lord about this, but I give my opinion. And I can be trusted, because the Lord has given me mercy.

Remedies for this present distress

I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—
```
Paul's advice is both personal AND circumstantial: to the single (virgins and unmarried men), engaged (betrothed), married, widowed (no longer bound to a spouse), divorced (once again single and unbound to another).
```
- 27 Are you pledged to a woman?
  - Do not seek to be released.
- 28 Are you free from such a commitment?
  - Do not look for a wife.
- 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned;
- and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned.
  - But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
    
    NIV
The time is short
```
We do not have much time left. So starting now... 1 Corinthians 7:29b International Children's Bible
```
What’s the historical context of which Paul speaks? (This seems somewhat prophetic, but certainly the handwriting on the wall is whispered in every province of the Empire.)

AD 55 – Six years ago Caesar Claudius had expelled some of the Jews from Rome. And now Nero has succeeded him as Emperor.
- ‘Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus was self-indulgent, cruel, and violent as well as a cross-dressing exhibitionist.’
- Nero planned his mother’s death with great care
- After Nero and [his second wife] argued late one night (Nero liked to stay out late), he supposedly kicked her in the stomach, killing both her and the unborn child.
  - READ more from our source
And, of course we know Nero’s evil reputation best from an incident about to take place in the burning of most of Rome just nine years from now [AD 64] and more malicious persecutions of Christ followers, including Paul, who viewed Nero as an anti-Christ.

The Apostle writes twice to the Corinthians during turbulent times.

..the time is short, so that from now on

even those who have wives should be as though they had none,
- those who weep as though they did not weep,
- those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice,
- those who buy as though they did not possess,
- and those who use this world as not misusing it.
For the form of this world is passing away.

Paul’s first Epistle to the Corinthians 7:29-31 NKJV

Free from earthly cares
```
Again, a list from Paul confirming motivations of men and women in their relationships - freedom apart from the commandments of the Law and rules concerning marriage.
```
A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives;
1 Corinthians 1:39a NKJV
- The unmarried man is concerned about the work of the Lord, how he can please the Lord. – 1 Cor 7:32b BSB
  - But the married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife, – v.33
- The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit:
  - but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. – v. 34b KJV
cautions for your profit and not restraint

to promote propriety and undistracted devotion to the Lord.

If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. – v.36 ESV

But if he has decided firmly not to marry and there is no urgency and he can control his passion, he does well not to marry. – v.37 NLT

So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.

1 Corinthians 7:38 NIV – Paul’s advice for uncertain times

.. but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 7:39b NKJV
```
Once again, from the KJV, Paul's fatherly Apostolic opinion:
```
40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

NEXT: a Corinthian Culinary Conscience
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Ministers of Christ: Faithful Stewards – 1 Corinthians 4
4 Let a man so account us as the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
```
1 Corinthians 4:1 21stCenturyKJV
```
The Apostle Paul has been making his case as the architect of the Corinthian church.

Christ’s Contractor in Corinth

The Need for Unity

.. you ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. [NIV]
```
Now Paul moves forward by pointing to the ministry of Corinthian Christians and make a few points as example.
```
Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.

1 Corinthians 4:2 RSV

ἀνακρίνω – anakrinō – examined
- it is a very small thing that I may be examined (by you or any)
- In fact, I do not even examine myself.
- No charges against me
- Yet I am not acquitted
- But the one who examines me is the Lord.
```
Consider personally the definition of Paul's topic:

Do YOU examine or judge? interrogate? examine the accused or witnesses?
```
Does your investigation examine, enquire into, scrutinize, sift, and question?

As the Corinthian church’s leading architect the Apostle challenges its leaders and members to be judges of and estimate or determine (the excellence or defects of any person or thing) ALL who build Christ’s church in Corinth.

Contrary to our Common Era cop-out by evangelicals avoiding examination of our own inconsistencies within the church, the Apostle Paul has already established the architecture for Christians to account for each other.

But he who is spiritual examines G350 all things, yet he himself is examined G350 by no one.

1 Corinthians 2:15 LSB – : Strong’s G350 – anakrinō

IT’S A HIGH STANDARD.

Now the Apostle writes in response to the Corinthian church (some translations use JUDGED in place of examined):

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.

My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent.

It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes.

1 Corinthians 4:3-5a New International Version

He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. – 1 Cor 4:5b
```
Later in this letter Paul instructs further:
```
Therefore if.. an unbeliever or an uninformed man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that SURELY GOD IS AMONG YOU. 1Co 14:24 LSB excerpt; 1Co 14:25

The Nature of True Apostleship

FIRST, a reminder of who are apostles AND what defines a true apostle?

ἀπόστολος

a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”) (with miraculous powers):—apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

Strong’s G652 – apostolos
```
Paulos apostolos iēsous christos [Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ] will further define his anointing as an apostle just a bit further into his epistle [letter] to the Corinthians.
```
If to others I am not an apostle^G652, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 9:2 LSB

Paul moves forward to an alleged controversary perceived between his leadership and teaching and that of Apollos, who had also ministered to the Corinthian church with great power.

Apollos and Paul – Apostles crossing paths

(in case you missed this from Luke’s historical Account of the Apostles of the 1st c. church)

Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another. –1 Corinthians 4:6 BSB

NOW the Apostle’s accounting of leaders of the Corinthian church:
- For who makes you so superior?
- What do you have that you did not receive?
- And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
```
Paul answers his own rhetorical questions:
```
Servants of Christ

8 Already you have all you want.

Already you have become rich.

Without us, you have become kings.

How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you!

9 For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death.

We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men.

WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE APOSTLE OBSERVE OF THIS CHURCH?

This judgment from these verses of Paul’s epistle translates from the Greek to English with words perhaps more telling:

You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us— NKJV

You have begun to reign in God’s kingdom without us! – NLT

Fools for Christ
```
SO YOU think that you are smart enough to lead YOUR church without listening to apostles sent to guide you in building Christ's church?
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We are fools on account of Christ, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; You are honored, but we are without honor.

1 Corinthians 4:10 BLB
```
Now listen to Paul's circumstance at the very time the Apostle writes to the Corinthians:
```
11 As far as the present hour, we both hunger and thirst, and are poorly clad, and are buffeted [harshly treated], and wander homeless, and we toil, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being slandered, we entreat [endure].

We have become as the residue of the world, the refuse of all, until now.

– 1 Corinthians 4:11-15 BLB

– IS PAUL CONDEMNING THE CORINTHIAN PASTORS?

– Does PAUL understate his own challenges by comparison to the Corinthians?

WHY would this architect of the Corinthian Church write to them with such severity?

Apostolic Fatherhood

Paul restates his case for continuing his own guidance of the leadership of the Corinthian leadership.

The New King James Version of Paul’s epistle heads this section of Scripture given in his first letter to the Corinthians: Paul’s Paternal Care.

Leading young Pastors and guiding their sheep

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.
```
How do YOU take fatherly warnings such as these?

Do you LISTEN as an obedient child of the Lord? 

OR might you, beloved child of God, insist on a life with Jesus YOUR own way?
```
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. – KJV

I WARN you. – to put in mind, i.e. (by implication) to caution or reprove gently:—admonish, warn.

Of course some are ashamed, convicted in their hearts by nature of our guilt. Some translations use admonish, correction, advise — but don’t miss the Apostle’s intent as a father of his flock in the Way of Christ Jesus as our Lord.

15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
```
Paul, of course, has fathered or mentored others -- several others throughout his three Apostolic missions proclaiming the Gospel into all the world; none more faithful and true than Timothy, his young protege in Ephesus.

It is Timothy who brings Paul's Epistle to Corinth. And the Apostle expresses complete confidence in this young pastor who he sent to the Corinthians. 

The ESV states this well:
```
I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord,

to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 4:16-17 ESV

Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.

NIV

But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.

the Kingdom of God
```
- Who has authority in the Kingdom of Christ Jesus?
```
The Apostle challenges the Corinthian believers and leaders to show the true fruit of humility in Christ.

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

1 Corinthians 4:20 NLT

Which do you choose?
- Should I come with a rod to punish you,
- or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?
NEXT: The Apostle Paul will take on an enduring common challenge of the Church:

πορνεία – porneia
August 29, 2024