1 Corinthians 1:11-12 By Mitch Kuhn

Transcription

1 1 Corinthians 1:11-12 By Mitch Kuhn We saw in the last study on verse 10 that Paul is calling the church in Corinth to be joined together perfectly in one mind. At this point there were some members that recognized division and contentions (quarrels/arguments), within the Church. Those of the house of Chloe are acting as good watchmen and report the problems back to Paul so they can be dealt with properly. 1Co 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 1Co 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ Throughout the book of Ezekiel, God speaking through Christ calls Ezekiel Son of Man repeatedly. Christ through the Gospels refers to himself as the Son of Man very often. Just as Christ was sent to fulfill all the prophecies and commands of Ezekiel, so are we sent in the same way to a rebellious and wicked generation. 1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. Joh 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. Those of the house of Chloe play a key role of Paul fulfilling the verses below. They have at least been good watchmen and reported the problems taking place in Corinth. How would Paul have ever known about these issues without receiving word? Eze 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. Eze 3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 1

2 Eze 3:19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Eze 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. Eze 33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. Paul has no way of knowing if the Corinthians will repent of their evil in this life and be of one mind, but certainly is going to follow God's commands and give them a stern warning and teach them the truth. Since we will live by every word of God (Matt 4:4, Deut. 8:3), we will live out all three roles of this story. We will first be the one that needs a rebuke or warning. Next we will see others in rebellion and have to warn them ourselves and bring in other brothers as needed to resolve the issue according to Matthew 18. Finally, we will be Paul, the other brother brought in to help settle the disputes about the truth of God's word. It is very easy to read 1 Corinthians and see ourselves as the faithful watchman from the house of Chloe, or even the apostle Paul brining the rebuke to others. It is more difficult to see that we are the ones in need of correction. Only God through Christ can give us this gift. Mat 7:3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Mat 7:4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Mat 7:5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Paul heard that there were "contentions" among the brethren in Corinth. The word he uses is: G2054 ερις eris er'-is 2

3 Of uncertain affinity; a quarrel, that is, (by implication) wrangling: - contention, debate, strife, variance. Here are some other uses of the same word. Rom 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, When striving or quarreling over the truth of God's word is taking place. the people involved are not walking in the Spirit. These arguments are a work of the flesh. The word "variance" below is the same word as "strife" and "debate" above. Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. As servants of the Lord, we must never fight or quarrel about the truth of the scriptures. 2Ti 2:23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 2Ti 2:24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 2Ti 2:25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, We must not argue, or quarrel, but rather teach in patience and humility. If someone does not see the truth, we must recognize God has not opened their eyes. God is the one to grant repentance. So how long do we talk to someone before going to the next step of Matthew 18 and take another brother? Tit 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 3

4 Tit 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Tit 3:11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. So what is an admonition? Eph 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. This is how parents are to teach children, with patience and love, yet firm and confident. This is how the Lord teaches us. 2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. As soon as we lose our patient spirit or go beyond two admonitions, we are walking in the flesh. It will seem strange at first when you're used to giving many admonitions, and the Lord convicts you that two is the hard limit if someone is not understanding the truth. We just need to follow the process in Matthew 18 and stick to two admonitions each time we go to a brother. We will be blessed for this obedience. We must always remember that God causes us to scatter the seed, and then he makes it grow. Without him giving someone eyes to see, our admonitions will do nothing. Paul tells the Corinthians these very things in Chapter 3. 1Co 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 1Co 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 4

5 As the Body of Christ our job is to feed God's lambs and his sheep. When we spend our time arguing with wolves, the lambs will be neglected. Joh 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 1Co 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ The Corinthians church is having a problem because they are all following someone different. Paul is going to exhort them to follow him as he follows Christ. Everyone is supposed to be following Christ, and those whom Christ is within. 1Co 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Christ's sheep know his voice, so when someone like Paul who has Christ within teaches, Christ's sheep will recognize his voice and follow. Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Joh 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The elders in the Body of Christ are being used by God to shepherd his sheep. Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 2Co 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 2Co 11:28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches 5

6 The shepherds of the flock will be manifest through their good fruits. Luk 6:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 1Ti 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 1Ti 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 1Ti 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 1Ti 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 1Ti 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1Ti 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 1Ti 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 1Ti 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. It will become clear to us who is laboring in the word and admonishing us. Paul encourages the Thessalonians to recognize these men and esteem them highly for their work sake. He also tells them to be at peace among themselves, the very opposite of which is happening in Corinth. 1Th 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 1Th 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. We will be at peace when we all follow the voice of the shepherd. There are contentions in Corinth because many are following men and believing false doctrine, not following Christ. Here is another example in 1 Peter. 1Pe 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6

7 1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: So what does "submit" yourselves really mean? Do we follow men like we did in the Babylonian Churches? No, Paul says himself that he has no dominion over anyone s faith. These leaders our helpers of our joy appointed by God to teach us the truth, just like Old Testament prophets taught the people of Israel. 2Co 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. God's truth comes to us through preaching. 1Co 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. God has always chosen people to represent him and deliver his commands. He first used the prophets in the Old Testament. Deu 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. Jer 35:12 Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, Jer 35:13 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD. A very similar thing is happening today. The elders of the Church are given the job of teaching the word of God and watching over the flock. We should listen to them just as Israel listened to the prophets. Israel listened to the prophets because they had become convinced that God was speaking through them. The difference today is that we are not writing new scriptures, but rather explaining what has already been given to us. 1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 7

8 1Co 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. (Psa 119:160 CLV) The sum of Your word is truth, And all of Your righteous ordinances are eonian." Let's look at a verse that explains how we should view these elders in the Body of Christ. We already covered this in 1 Corinthians 1:10, but it's so important that we're going to review it again. This verse in Hebrews 13:17 is grossly mistranslated. (Heb 13:17 KJV) Obey (G3982) them that have the rule (G2233) over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Rotherham's is a bit better. (Heb 13:17 Rotherham) Be yielding unto them who are guiding you, and submit yourselves; for they are watching over your souls, as having an account to render, that, with joy the same they may be doing, and not with sighing, for, unprofitable unto you, were, this. Obey or yielding is better translated as "be persuaded" G3982 Rom 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded (G3982) of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 2Ti 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded (G3982) that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Rule or guiding is also translated as "esteem". 1Th 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of 8

9 mind let each esteem other better than themselves. A more clear way to say Hebrews 13:17 would be, "Be persuaded of those whom you highly esteem..." We know who to esteem by their fruits: (Mat 7:20 KJV) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Heb 13:7 KJV) Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation (way of life). Once we have heard the counsel of those we highly esteem, we still have to search out the scriptures for ourselves. (Act 17:11 KJV) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Php 2:12 KJV) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Here are a few other verses that describe the relationship between the elders and the flock. Paul called himself the father of the Corinthians spiritually, because God uses Paul to sow the seed of the Gospel. 1Co 4:15 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. 1Co 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 1Co 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Shepherds draw back those that are going astray. 1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 9

10 You can see Paul's deep desire to care for the Church in the following verses. (Php 1:21 NKJV) For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Php 1:22 NKJV) But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. (Php 1:23 NKJV) For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. (Php 1:24 NKJV) Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. (Php 1:25 NKJV) And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, (Php 1:26 NKJV) that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. (Php 2:19 NKJV) But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. (Php 2:20 NKJV) For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. (Php 2:21 NKJV) For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. (Php 2:22 NKJV) But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. Peter gives us a great summary of this topic: 1Pe 5:1 NKJV The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 1Pe 5:2 NKJV Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly,' not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 1Pe 5:3 NKJV nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 1Pe 5:4 NKJV and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 1Pe 5:5 NKJV Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." We are all simply submitting to the spirit of God within us given through Christ. (1Co 3:16 NKJV) Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that 10

11 the Spirit of God dwells in you? (Eph 3:17 NKJV) that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 11