Lesson 2048

(Lesson 2048)(06-11-17) 1 Corinthians 4:6-14

"And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you."

In the beginning of today's quote, Paul again iterated that it makes no difference from whom one might have received the gospel of Jesus Christ. The important thing is that, by the grace of God, they received it.

In the latter part of the quote, Paul revealed the suffering that was being withstood by all the apostles who had devoted their lives to the work of spreading the good news of God's saving grace.

What a glorious thing it would be if today there were more persons like Paul, Silas, Barnabas, Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos who would eagerly abandon all else to do nothing but serve the purposes of the gospel of Jesus Christ.~