1 Corinthians 4:18-20
Ps Paul Cheng
Dear Bethelites,
Be Ye Followers Of Me (I)
People need to be taught good and wonderful doctrines, but without a good example, those teachings cannot be effective. They need godly examples for them to see how those teachings can be rightly applied into their lives. We had learnt in our previous pastoral chat that Paul urged the Corinthians to follow his example in exemplifying the Lord’s footstep (1 Corinthians 4:16), and how he had taught Timothy to continue the work of disciplining them (v.17).
But like all good natural fathers, there are times when spiritual fathers will have to discipline their spiritual children. When a believer falls into sin, he or she needs correction. Church discipline is never easy, but it is necessary!
II. Disciplining
When there is no respect for the authority in the family, there will be dishonour, disobedience and rebellion. Similarly, when godly church authority is disregarded, the result is an undisciplined church where God is not glorified.
Paul did not want that to happen to the Corinthian church, therefore, he said, Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you (1 Corinthians 4:18).
To be puffed up means to be inflated with pride. Some Corinthians were proud and misbehaving as if Paul would not be returning to them and thus there was no need to answer to him again.
Pride takes advantage of the absence of authority. When the person-in-charge is not around, the people who are puffed up, will take upon themselves the authority to lead the others, but in the wrong way.
The absence of authority will cause the people to allow pride to take over and seize the opportunity to cause a rebellion. That is what has happened to many churches where the members misbehave as though the leaders are not around or “coming back.”
Paul was not physically in Corinth, so it was easy to criticize and mischaracterize him. One must never “assassinate” a person’s character when he is not there to defend for himself. That is what people will do all the time, with gossip! Our spirit of pride takes over, and we seize the opportunity to say what we want to say, in the absence of the person, to cause unhappiness, misunderstanding, injustice and rebellion. A good reminder is always to ask this question, “Are we prepared to say this thing to the person, straight in the face?” If not, then we must not say this thing, in his or her absence!
The prideful Corinthians were creating trouble in the church, thinking that Paul was returning. So, Paul was saying to them, “You act as if I am not coming back, and you behave as if there are no consequences for your action. Well, let me tell you, I am coming back!”
Pride and rebellion must be confronted. As a spiritual father who loved his spiritual children, Paul had to deal with the Corinthians. Verse 19, But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. But Paul knew better than to make plans presumptuously, that was why he added, if the Lord will. A person’s true spiritual character is not determined by his impressive words but by the power of his life! That is what it means, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
Some people would say anything they want; they would use high-sounding words to show that they are spiritual and godly, but the kingdom of God is not about what one says, but how one lives. It is about the power of the Holy Spirit working in his or her life. Verse 20, For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
Finally, Paul hoped that the Corinthians would repent of their arrogance and change before he returned to them. No pastor or leader likes to exercise church discipline, even though it is necessary. He does not derive any joy from disciplining the people whom he loves, and it is truly an understatement to say that he hates to exercise discipline but unless he has no choice!
Therefore, Paul said in verse 21, (if given the choice) What will ye (want)? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? (added emphasis mine). In other words, he was saying, “Do you want me to come to you with a rod of correction, which can be painful but it is necessary if you would not repent? Or would you rather respond positively, and repent of your sins, and then I would treat you with love and patient kindness?”
Dear friends, how nice it would be when the church never needs to exercise discipline because the people are faithful followers of the spiritual leaders, and together as a church, we reflect the kingdom of God in our lives, and glorify the One who has called us out of darkness and into His marvellous light!
With love in Christ,
Pastor Paul Cheng