Lesson 4780

 (Lesson 4780) (03-07-25) 1st Corinthians 4:8-14 

   “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 today’s lesson, Paul rebuked the Corinthians for their arrogance, sarcastically stating that they considered themselves rich, wise, and reigning like kings, though they had not yet received true glory. He contrasted their attitude with the suffering of the apostles, who were treated as fools for Christ, weak, dishonored, and persecuted. Paul described how the apostles endured hardships with patience, responding with kindness even when reviled and mistreated. He stated that they had become like the "filth of the world" for Christ's sake. Despite his rebuke, Paul clarified that he was not writing to shame them but to warn them as his beloved children, urging them to adopt humility and faithfulness rather than pride. ~