QT 02/07/2024 Tue. 1Cor 4. 哥林多前书4章
QT 02/07/2024 Tue. 1Cor 4.
READ http://www.esvbible.org/1cor4
LISTEN
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/esv/1cor.4
We have been judged unfairly at times. So was Paul. Paul's authority and apostleship were judged inferior by the Corinthians' standards.
"Judging" came from possibly these sources :-
- From believers he is ministering to (1Cor 4:3)
- From human tribunal (1Cor 4:3)
- From Paul himself (1Cor 4:3,4,6)
- From God (1Cor 4:5)
But only item 4 will be absolutely right. Paul hinted to them NOT to judge his apostleship authority. Indeed, humans are limited and do not have all the viewpoints of how things really are. We have SOME grasp of truth but necessarily INCOMPLETE.
However, the Lord will come and "will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God" (1Cor 4:5).
APPLICATION (1): Do not conclude before the conclusion, nor "pronounce judgment before the time" (1Cor 4:5).
REFLECTION (1): In view of the exhaustiveness of God's final judgment, put on impeccable behaviour consistent with our calling. Are you doing that today in terms of purity and focus in life?
The Corinthians should not ridicule Paul nor reject his authority:
(1) Because Paul suffered for them (1Cor 4:9-14).
(2) Because Paul responded to their reviling with blessing, reacted to persecution with endurance, returned slander with earnest exhortations (1Cor 4:12). They should "be imitators" of Paul instead (1Cor 4:16)!
(3) Because Paul was their "father" (1Cor 4:15) in the sense that Paul brought forth their new life in Christ through the gospel. As such, another child is sent (Timothy, 1Cor 4:17) to remind this child (Corinthians) "of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church" (1Cor 4:17).
(4) Paul has power - to raise the dead, survive the storms and seas (see Acts). Even though Paul is called by Jesus (see Acts), his authority is also challenged.
REFLECTION (2): Do you see similarities between Paul, Moses and Jesus? (In terms of power, waters, salvation/gospel, authority challenged) Are you ridiculing anyone working hard for the gospel today?
ARROGANCE was a big problem then and now. Paul wrote to readers who were wealthy, educated, "wise", happening, politically street smart, cosmopolitan, morally messed up but arrogant. Paul used another word to counter this attitude, "scum" (1Cor 4:13). Do a humility/arrogance check today.
星期二 2024年7月2日 今日读经：哥林多前书4章
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/1Co/4/
听音频哥林多前书4章
https://www.bible.com/bible/41/1cor.4.cnvs
我们有时会受到不公平的论断。保罗也一样。保罗的权威和使徒的身份按哥林多的标准来说，是被论断为次等的。
“论断”可来自以下的源头：-
- 他所服事的信徒 (林前4:3)
- 人间的法庭(林前4:3)
- 保罗自己(林前4:3,4,6)
- 神(林前4:5)
但只有第四项是正确的。保罗暗示他们不要论断他使徒的权威。确实，人类是有限的，无法了解事情的所有看法。我们或许抓住了一些真理，却是不完整的。
然而，主将来，“他要照出黑暗中的隐情，显明人心里的动机。那时，各人要从 神那里得着称赞”(林前4:5)。
应用(1):不要在还没下结论前论断人，或“时候还没到就批评人”(林前4:5)。
反思(1):因着神全面的、最后的审判，我们的行为必须无可挑剔，以致能与自己蒙召的身份相衬。今天在你的生命中，你是否在纯洁上和所重视的事情上做到了？
哥林多人不应该嘲笑保罗或拒绝他的权威：
因为保罗为了他们遭受迫害(林前4:9-14)。
因为保罗以祝福回报他们的辱骂、忍受迫害、祝福那诅咒他的(林前4:12)。他们反而应该“效法”保罗(林前4:16)!
因为保罗是他们的“父亲”(林前4:15)，因为保罗藉着福音带给他们新生命。因此，他打发了另一个孩子去(提摩太，林前4:17)来提醒这个孩子(哥林多人)“我在基督里是怎样行事为人，正如我在各处教会中所教导的一样”(林前4:17)。
保罗有能力-让死人复活，胜过风暴和大浪(见使徒行传)。 保罗虽然是耶稣呼召的(见使徒行传)，他的权威也受到了挑战。
反思(2):你可否看到保罗、摩西和耶稣的相似之处？(论能力、水、救恩/福音，他们的权威都受到挑战)。你今天是否嘲笑那些为着福音劳苦的人？
傲慢是当时的也是现在的一个问题。保罗读者的对象是那些富裕的、受教育的、“有智慧的”、跟上潮流的、懂得游走于政治的、国际化的、道德沦丧的却傲慢无比的人。保罗用了另一个词来批评这样的态度--“渣滓”(林前4:13)。今天就省察自己的态度是否谦卑/傲慢。
