Lesson 457

(Lesson 457)(11-15-12) 1 Corinthians 4:7-16, "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. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me."

In the first portion of this lesson Paul establishes that there is no distinction between those individuals to whom the gospel has been taught and accepted. He makes it clear that we are all bought with the same payment (The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ), and that one child of God has no more value than another.

In the latter portion Paul tells of the suffering that he, and the other apostles have endured while delivering the gospel of Christ.

He assured those Corinthians that it was through the pure doctrine that he and the other Apostles preached, that they were saved and now enjoyed the blessings and security of that salvation.

In the last portion Paul, again, warns of false teachers, "but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me."

This simply means that any doctrine that deviates from Paul's message that only God is the Father, and does not give ALL credit and glory to Jesus Christ as sole redeemer, is false and should be shunned.~