So how’s your self-image?
Popular culture emphasizes the importance of “positive thinking” and the
“power” of “believing in yourself.”
Those in our society who appear successful are idolized. This was true in Corinth as well, and that worldly
mindset affected the church there. How
did the apostle Paul regard himself and his fellow apostles in 1 Corinthians
4:1? As ministers, or servants. More specifically, the Greek word Paul uses
refers to one of many rowers in the lowest level of sizeable ship. One, who along with others, would slave for
the welfare of the ship. And yet, though
servants, they are servants of Christ. It is their Captain that gives the apostles
value. Secondly, Paul writes, they are stewards
of the “mysteries of God,” that is, the New Testament gospel of salvation in
Jesus Christ, as revealed by His Spirit (see Ephesians 3:3-5.) Is that what you think of when you hear the
word “steward?” We are quick to use the
words “steward” or “stewardship” in reference to the managing of our finances
or our time. You and I, New Testament
saints, are principally stewards of the mysteries of God, stewards of the gospel.
What is
the requirement of a steward? Faithfulness. Who determines whether or not a steward has
been faithful? Paul’s words in verse
five, “He who judges me is the Lord,” echo Jesus in Matthew 24:45-46. Consequently, Paul cautions the Corinthians –
and us – not to judge the secret thoughts and intents of his heart nor those of
Apollos nor of any other. Such speculation,
he warns, leads to self-righteousness and favoritism.
He
continues with a hint of sarcasm, “Who makes you to differ from another?” In other words, “So what makes you better
than so-and-so? Why do you think so
highly about yourself when everything that you have has been given unto
you?” Paul treats the same topic in
Romans 12: “I say, through the grace
given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more
highly than he ought to think…for as we have many members in one body, and all
members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ,
and every one members one of another.” Though
the gifts and the measure of faith that each has been given may differ, in standing
as members of the church, all saints are on the same level. No part of the body can do without another
part.
Yet the Corinthians prided themselves
in a rather self-satisfied, self-gratifying existence. So Paul really pours on the sarcasm in verses
8 and following: Wow! Look at you!
You have all you want! You live
like kings while we apostles undergo trials of all kinds: hunger, nakedness,
persecution, slander… “We have become,
and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.” Then Paul backs down. “I don’t write these things to make you
ashamed,” he says, “but to warn you as my dear children.” He pleads with them, “Imitate me.”
Whom do you imitate, those who
exhibit earthly wisdom or spiritual wisdom?
Are your words and your behavior consistent with your profession no
matter where you are, no matter what you are doing? Paul notes that his conduct
consistent with what he taught in churches everywhere. Can you say to your children, to your peers,
to your co-workers, “Imitate me?”
Is your self image a Biblical
self-image, or do you have an inflated view of yourself? Granted, there are some who have a
dangerously negative self-image, but this is not the norm. In 2 Timothy 3:1 Paul writes, “Know this,
that in the last days, perilous times will come.” What is the first warning sign to which Paul
points? “Men will be lovers of
themselves.” The child of God recognizes
that his or value comes from belonging to the Lord, Who chose what is lowly,
weak, and despised, that no human being might boast in the presence of God (1
Corinthians 1:27ff).
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