BIG IDEA:
BOASTING IN PARTICULAR PROMINENT PREACHERS DEMONSTRATES ARROGANT PRIDE AND SELF SUFFICIENCY
INTRODUCTION:
Christians often play the game of “Look at whose camp I am in! We are followers of Dr. John MacArthur; we are disciples of C. J. Mahaney . . .” Even though the Apostle Paul and Apollos effectively taught the truth and were not trying to develop a personal following, the example of the Corinthians shows that believers can make the mistake of rendering undue praise to the preacher. The resulting schisms become a source of pride and competitive boasting. People become self sufficient and complacent in their intellectual understanding and preoccupied with their own gifts and ministries rather than transformed by radical obedience to the Word of Truth that is being proclaimed. Instead of becoming more Christ-like, they become more arrogant and judgmental. They look with disdain at the humble sacrifices of servant leaders that are not bearing the type of externally impressive results that might be consistent with the world’s benchmarks for success. Paul employs scathing sarcasm to expose their self-deception.
I. (:6-7) EXPOSING ARROGANT PRIDE –
IN LIFTING PREACHERS UP ON A PEDESTAL AND BOASTING IN ONE AGAINST ANOTHER
A. (:6) Exposing the Prideful Practice of Preferring Specific Prominent Preachers
1. Reviewing How Christian Ministers Should be Viewed
“Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes”
– (1:17) as messengers sent by God to preach the gospel (not to baptize a band of loyal followers)
– (2:1-5) as those preaching Christ crucified rather than relying on superiority of speech or wisdom
– (2:13) as those speaking Spirit-revealed thoughts in words taught by the Spirit
– (3:5-10) servants and farmers and builders
– (4:1-2) servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God
Paul still considers them as brethren despite all of their flaws;
His goal is to edify them – not to tear them down
2. Renouncing the Schismatic Pride of Party Loyalties
a. The Apostolic Example = Don’t Go Beyond the Scriptures
“so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written”
The Sufficiency of the Scriptures – Sola Scriptura
Anything beyond that where you try to enforce man-made rules and your own opinions and preferences is legalism
b. The Apostolic Example = Ministry Teamwork not Ministry Competition
“so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.”
We need each other; don’t become arrogant and puffed up in preferring one over another;
Plurality of elder system of church government and multiple gifted men involved in the public teaching ministry should help to promote this spirit of teamwork
MacArthur: Arrogant (phusioo) literally means to “puff up (KJV), inflate, blow up.” The term was used metaphorically to indicate pride, which is having an inflated view of oneself. Paul uses that word four times to describe the Corinthian believers (see also 4:18, 19; 5:2) and three other times to warn them against pride (8:1; 13:4; 2 Cor. 12:20). The meaning of pride basically is “I’m for me.” When everyone is pulling first of all for himself, fellowship and harmony are torn apart in the process.
B. (:7) Exposing Underlying Attitudes of Arrogant Pride via 3 Simple Questions
1. Attitude of Superiority
“For who regards you as superior?”
2. Attitude of Ungratefulness
“What do you have that you did not receive?”
3. Attitude of Boasting in Self
“And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”
Lenski: The three questions asked in v. 7 are short and have the intention of puncturing their bubble of pride and the further intention of bringing the Corinthians down to the level of true Christian humility. But they needed still more.
II. (:8-13) EXPOSING SELF SUFFICIENCY –
THINKING YOU HAVE ALREADY ARRIVED WHILE DESPISING THE HUMBLE SACRIFICES OF GENUINE SERVANT LEADERS
A. (:8) The Delusion of Self Sufficiency = A Wrong View of Their Own Condition —
They Wrongly Thought They Had Already Arrived
1. Sarcastic Parody of Their Self Sufficient Complacency –
Laodicean Syndrome (Rev. 3:14-22)
a. Resting in their satiated state – ignorant of their need
“You are already filled,”
b. Rich in their spiritual condition – blind to their poverty
“you have already become rich,”
c. Reigning in their own myopic millennium – deceived regarding their standing in the kingdom
“you have become kings without us;”
2. Ultimate Goal = Co-Reigning . . . Not Lording it Over Others
“and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you.”
B. (:9-13) The Delusion of Self Sufficiency = A Wrong View of the Ministry of Others —
They Failed to Value the Apostolic Contribution
1. (:9) Overall Summary: Dead Men Walking = a Spectacle for all to see
“For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.”
2. (:10) Comparisons to Highlight the Difference Between Selfless Ministry and Ambitious Pride
a. Fools For Christ
“We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ”
b. Enduring Weakness
“we are weak, but you are strong”
c. Foregoing Honor
“you are distinguished, but we are without honor”
3. (:11-12a) Catalog of Apostolic Sacrificial Sufferings for the Cause of Christ
“To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty,”
“and are poorly clothed,”
“and are roughly treated,”
“and are homeless;”
“and we toil, working with our own hands;”
4. (:12b-13a) Godly Example of Righteous Response to Persecution
“when we are reviled, we bless;”
“when we are persecuted, we endure;”
“when we are slandered, we try to conciliate;”
5. (:13b) Complete Rejection by the World
“we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.”
MacArthur: Verses 9-13 can be summarized by four words: spectacles, fools, sufferers, and scum. Those words describe Paul’s condition in contrast to what the Corinthians considered their condition to be. They thought they had everything in themselves; he knew he had nothing in himself.