FOOLS FOR CHRIST

Passage: 1 Corinthians 4:6-13

Key verse: 10a

NIV

6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.”(A) Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.(B) 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?(C) And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich!(D) You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! 9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die(E) in the arena. We have been made a spectacle(F) to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. 10 We are fools for Christ,(G) but you are so wise in Christ!(H) We are weak, but you are strong!(I) You are honored, we are dishonored! 11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.(J) 12 We work hard with our own hands.(K) When we are cursed, we bless;(L) when we are persecuted,(M) we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage(N) of the world—right up to this moment.

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers,[a] that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may (A)be puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? (B)What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, (C)like men sentenced to death, because we (D)have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 (E)We are fools for Christ's sake, but (F)you are wise in Christ. (G)We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour (H)we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and (I)buffeted and (J)homeless, 12 and we (K)labor, working with our own hands. (L)When reviled, we bless; (M)when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. (N)We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, (O)the refuse of all things.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 4:6 Or brothers and sisters
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Do not go beyond what is written (6-7)

Spiritual pride creeps into one's heart when he thinks he has some special gift or grace that others lack. But God has given the Scriptures to all of us. We need no other special revelation. Whatever gift or privilege we have is given us by God's grace. Paul had the most to be proud of, but he humbly submitted himself to the word of God, and he tells us to do the same (6).

2. We have become the scum of the earth (8-13)

There were some who wanted to be Christians without any cross. They thought they could enjoy the best of both worlds. But Paul did not avoid the cross in his practical life. He did not try to save himself. He looked like a loser; he seemed to be foolish. But he was not a loser--he chose to walk the way of the cross and be a fool for Christ. This is life and victory.

Prayer: Lord, help me to submit to your word and walk the narrow way of the cross, following Jesus. Give me courage to be a fool for Christ.

One Word: Be a fool for Christ