When Preferences Deserve a Rebuke (Part 1 of 2)

Paul's Application for Our Benefit

One of the main emphases that the Apostle Paul gives here is understanding how we can know when our preferences for certain individuals deserve rebuke—whether it's a preference for a pastor or a brother or sister in Christ.

First Corinthians addresses the dynamics of how we relate to each other in a youth group context and the importance of unity. It doesn't mean we must spend hours with every person, but we should not have a preference for one that sets us against another. We can prefer someone's company, but if it causes us to be puffed up and opposed to someone else, we deserve the rebuke Paul delivers in this passage. The question is, how should we receive it?

Recall from verses 1–5 that Paul emphasized being more concerned about God's judgment—his opinion of us—over our own or others'. Paul doesn't consider it significant to be judged by others or even himself; the Lord judges all. He sets an example for us.

1 Corinthians 4:6
I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

Paul applies these things to himself and Apollos for our benefit, so we learn not to go beyond what is written. The result is that we are not puffed up in favor of one against another.

It might seem like we shouldn't have any preferences, but the issue is becoming prideful—having a higher esteem of yourself because you favor one person, putting you in opposition to another. This echoes the divisions in chapter 1: groups for Paul, Apollos, and others, competing to feel superior.

First Corinthians stresses unity, without which a church faces disorder and chaos. Unity begins with the gospel at the center, bringing the church together to care for and protect its members. Scripture teaches that God gives grace to the humble and opposes the proud. Pride because of association with someone else creates rivalry.

Preferring to hang out with someone has merit, but if it makes you standoffish toward another believer, that's the problem. Don't become puffed up, engage in popularity contests, or create divisions by deeming one Christian less favorable.

How to Avoid Being Puffed Up

How do we avoid this? By not going beyond what is written. God's judgment is more important than man's, including our own. Become infatuated with what God says about you, waiting for his commendation.

Paul applies this for our instruction in not going beyond what is written—one of the most life-changing realities for a Christian, after the gospel itself. This is first-century sola scriptura: Scripture as the sole infallible rule for faith and practice.

It's not solo scriptura, dismissing pastors, opinions, or systematic theologies unless explicitly stated. Good representations of Scripture are beneficial, though not infallible. Scripture is its own best interpreter—avoid private interpretations. Focus on context, principles, doctrines, using similar passages.

Still, it's essential to live by what is written, not adding principles Scripture doesn't teach. Why? Look at Corinth: they went beyond Scripture, applying unbiblical ideas to baptism to claim preeminence, like "I'm of Paul" because he baptized me, making them better than others.

1 Corinthians 2:2
For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Paul determined to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified. He derives all doctrines from the gospel, ensuring nothing contradicts, diminishes, or adds to it. Not going beyond what is written is synonymous with knowing nothing but Christ crucified.

This avoids being puffed up against others. It assumes three things about Scripture:

1. Scripture Is Necessary for Our Lifestyle

Humility isn't just an attitude or nice thoughts—it's a lifestyle of consistent behavior, public and private, where thinking and acting harmonize. Scripture is necessary to determine to know nothing but Christ crucified.

Read to see how passages reveal the gospel. Without the gospel lens, lists like the works of the flesh in Galatians 5 become legalism. Jesus saved us from sin unto righteousness by his grace, work, ability, and strength.

The Pharisees abused Scripture this way. Approach as Paul defines: knowing nothing but Christ crucified.

2. Scripture Is Sufficient for Our Lifestyle

Scripture suffices for what pleases God and benefits us spiritually, giving meaning even in everyday areas like work or friendships. Specifically, it keeps us humble, preventing opposition to others.

Through the gospel lens, the Spirit enables us to see Christ throughout Scripture. The law exposes remaining sin, making it abhorrent. Paul called himself the chief of sinners at life's end because Scripture exposes sin, teaching us to glorify God.

3. Scripture Is Beneficial for Our Lives

Scripture benefits us: necessary, sufficient, and good. It exposes sin, humbling us—we desperately need Christ. Nothing we do pleases God without gospel-centered motivation. Seeing ourselves as wretched levels the playing field; we're all the same.

Without this instruction, we risk pride and division. Be involved in Scripture meaningfully—not routine checking off, but with need, expecting benefit.

In counseling, people ask for help, receive biblical principles, then say, "It didn't work." Reasons: they didn't apply it or didn't trust Scripture's power to change sin and infuse grace. Scripture bounces off without value or obedience.

Investing in Scripture for True Wisdom

People often fail to put Scripture into practice. As a result, it seems like the Scriptures or the advice was ineffective. The reality is that the person responsible to steward the passages of Scripture and put them into place didn't do that.

The Word of God requires us to be involved, invested in the Scriptures—to open the pages, look for things we know and understand and trust will do what they're supposed to do. God promised in the Old Testament that His Word will not return void. Yet there are people who are blind. Christians can be near-sighted; unsaved individuals are blinded by Satan. They miss the significant influence of Scripture.

Be invested in the Scriptures—spiritually invested, emotionally invested. It impacts you; it means something when you read the Word of God. Don't be puffed up in favor of one against another. Learn from Apollos and Paul: do not go beyond what is written.

Paul's Sarcastic Rebuke (1 Corinthians 4:7-13)

Starting in verse 7:

For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you. For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst; we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless; and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

From verse 7 to 13, Paul does something peculiar. One common interpretation is that he is being sarcastic. When talking about himself and the apostles, he is literal. But when boasting about the Corinthians—exalting them to a status that doesn't fit the context unless sarcastic—it contrasts with his earlier description of them as worldly and fleshly.

Another view: he is specific about the good things they received, comparing them favorably to the apostles. Or third: these are positions they should be in, but aren't. No matter the interpretation, it was intended as a rebuke—whether sarcastic, a conviction they're not where they should be, or ignoring their blessings amid rivalries and factions.

Paul emphasizes those they claim to follow: "I am of Paul, I am of Apollos, I am of Cephas." Yet he says apostles are homeless, poorly dressed, hungry, thirsty, scum of the world—slandered, mistreated, persecuted, laboring with their hands. When reviled, they bless—like Matthew 5 on the Sermon on the Mount. When cursed, they bless; when slandered, they entreat.

But you who are of Paul, Apollos, Cephas, Christ—you are kings. It's a rebuke.

Not to Shame, But to Admonish (1 Corinthians 4:14)

Verse 14: "I do not write these things to make you ashamed." He says this specifically because it has the potential to shame them. These apostles meant so much, yet their lifestyle was contrary to the apostles'. They lived the high life while valuing those in poverty—it could cause shame, like seeing third-world suffering from our first-world comfort.

Paul says, "I'm not writing to shame you... but to admonish you as my beloved children." The rebuke encourages, exhorts, helps us live a life glorifying the Lord—like the comparison: we are weak, but you are strong; you are honored, we are dishonored.

Imitate Me as Your Father (1 Corinthians 4:15-16)

Verse 16: "I urge you, be imitators of me." You've had many guides in Christ, but not many fathers. "I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Therefore imitate me." Like children imitating a father—excited, encouraged, wanting to participate.

Paul imitated Christ, focused on the gospel. Chapter 2: "I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." Not a "wannabe" attitude of asceticism—homelessness or poverty vows—but "be attitudes" of Matthew 5. Paul was content in abundance or need.

Focus on total devotion to the gospel. By obsession with the gospel, hardships come as byproducts, like Paul's transformation from Pharisee to apostle—burning to share what Jesus did.

Like Timothy in Philippians 2: Paul endorses him as like-minded, concerned for others through the gospel. "Be imitators of me... Timothy will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church." Don't go beyond what is written.

A Warning of Power, Not Talk (1 Corinthians 4:18-21)

Some are prideful, pretending I'm not coming. But I will come soon, if the Lord wills, and find out not the talk of arrogant people, but their power. The kingdom of God is not in talk but in power.

What do you wish? Shall I come with a rod or with love in a spirit of gentleness? This threat retains weight: not just talk, but power—receiving Paul's words, putting them into effect, relishing the gospel's fruits.

Which of us lives Christianity that's all talk, no power? It's evident when repentance from sin and pursuit of righteousness aren't real in every aspect—yet we claim Scripture's truth. Counseling fails when it's all talk, Christian in name only, without gospel power. If Scripture is true, God real, Jesus dying for sins—its truths must demonstrate in our lives.