1 Corinthians 4:21

The Corinthians’ response to this epistle would determine whether the apostle would return to them as a disciplining or as a delighted father. A spirit of gentleness also marked the Lord Jesus (Matthew 11:29), though it stood in stark contrast to the spirit of arrogance in Corinth.

Paul concluded this part of 1 Corinthians with a strong confronting challenge.

"Christian leadership means being entrusted with the ’mysteries’ of God (1 Corinthians 4:1-7).

"Christian leadership means living life in the light of the cross (1 Corinthians 4:8-13).

"Christian leadership means encouraging-and if necessary, enforcing-the way of the cross among the people of God (1 Corinthians 4:14-21)." [Note: Ibid., pp. 94, 103, 108.]

The depreciation of some of their teachers resulted in the Corinthians’ not deriving maximum benefit from them. It also manifested a serious error in the Corinthians’ outlook. They were evaluating God’s servants as natural, unbelieving people do. This carnal perspective is the main subject of chapters 1-4. The Corinthians had not allowed the Holy Spirit to transform their attitudes.

"Paul’s view of the Christian ministry as revealed in this section (1 Corinthians 3-4) may now be summed up. The ministry is a divine provision which is responsible to Christ. It is a part of the Church given to the rest of the Church to be employed in its service. It comprises a multiplicity of gifts and functions, but is united by the unity of God and the unity of the Church. It serves the Church by itself first living out the life of suffering and sacrifice exhibited by the Lord on earth, thereby setting an example for the Church as a whole to follow." [Note: Ronald Y. K. Fung, "The Nature of the Ministry according to Paul," Evangelical Quarterly 54 (1982):132.]

"Even though at times Paul seems to be weaving in and out of several topics, the concern throughout is singular: to stop a current fascination with ’wisdom’ on the part of the Corinthians that has allowed them not only to ’boast,’ but to stand over against Paul and his gospel. With a variety of turns to the argument he sets forth his gospel over against their ’wisdom’ and tries to reshape their understanding of ministry and church. . . .

"The changes of tone in this passage reveal some of the real tensions that continue to exist in Christian ministry. How to be prophetic without being harsh or implying that one is above the sins of others. How to get people to change their behavior to conform to the gospel when they think too highly of themselves. There is no easy answer, as this passage reveals. But one called to minister in the church must ever strive to do it; calling people to repentance is part of the task." [Note: Fee, The First . . ., pp. 193-94.]

Perhaps Paul originally intended to end this epistle here. [Note: Bruce, pp. 52-53.] This opinion rests on the fact that the first four chapters could stand alone. This view points out the unity of this section of the letter. However it is impossible to prove or to disprove this hypothesis.

"It becomes evident in chaps. 5 through 14 as specific problems in the Corinthian community are considered and as pastoral directions are given that at the same time something else is going on. With statements here and there, the epistemology presented in 1 Corinthians 1:18 to 1 Corinthians 2:16 is kept before the readers. They are nudged into viewing themselves and their congregational life in new and different ways, consistent with the message of the crucified Messiah." [Note: Cousar, "The Theological . . .," p. 101.]