I sure would like to meet Paul. Second to Jesus, I think a cup of coffee with him would change my life entirely -- there are so many things I would like to ask him. One thing I have noticed about him is that his passion is just part of who he is. Before he met Christ, he was passionate about killing Christians. Now, after Christ's death, he still has that same passion, but for killing the sin of the Christians. Multiple times in Scripture, we see that Paul even uses a bit of irony or sarcasm to really make his points, and today's verses are such an example.
8 "Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you!" Paul uses sarcasm here to get the Corinthians to see how poor they really are because of their haughtiness and spiritual immaturity in comparison with apostles. They think they fully participate in Christ's reign and have no need of the apostle's ministry. I wasn't sure what exactly was meant by humans reigning, but in Romans 5:17 it says, "For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!" Or as another version puts it, "For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ." Because of Christ in us, we can reign over or triumph over sin; however, from Paul's observation, it appears that the Corinthians look just like the world still -- there have not been changes in their behavior and attitudes -- and they think they have it all together and don't need the apostles' help to learn and grow.
9 " For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings." Here Paul refers to a triumphal roman procession, where the captives of war are led in at the end of the procession, and they will be killed in front of a victorious crowd as they combat with gladiators or ferocious beasts. Paul pictures all the world, even the angels, looking on while the apostles are brought in for their last fight, a fight to the death.
10 "We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!" Again, more sarcasm, perhaps with the hope that the Corinthians will see the vast differences in their lives and the apostle's lives, and realize that maybe the way they are currently living is really not what following Christ is meant to be. Then, he continues with some more examples of what has happened to them and how they are living.
11 "To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment." In contrast to the Corinthians wanting to be on top of the world, having everything they desire, Paul shows them a different way to live. In fact, I could easily sense in that last sentence that Paul is at the end of his rope with these people. So next, he gives them his plan for them.
14 "I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. 15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church." I think it's so important to think about verse 14. When we discipline or scold, is it to shame them or is it because we want to warn them our of our love for them? Are we reacting emotionally, or are we trying to turn them in a new direction for their own good? I'm sure Paul feels frustrated, but his motivation is not himself, but for their good. Here Paul urges the Corinthians to imitate him instead of living the way they are living. And because he knows their condition, he's going to send help -- Timothy. These people need a pastor, someone to physically be with them and to guide, encourage and love them as Christ.
18 "Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?" Paul promises to come to them, to see them for himself. He wants to see who these people are that are leading others, and he wants to see more than just talk, he wants to see if they do, in fact, have God's power and spirit in them or not. Finally, he gives the Corinthians a choice: keep talking like you have Christ, but no evidence of Him, and Paul will need to get firmer, or do begin to see about truly following Christ, and Paul will come in gentleness. That is the end of his introduction to them.
Starting tomorrow, we will begin to see why Paul is so seemingly harsh with the Corinthians. Why all this sarcasm and these threats of discipline? Paul has such a passion for the Kingdom of God, and he fights for it. Our early Christian brothers and sisters in Corinth were not living lives that reflected the Kingdom of God.
What about us? Are we fools for God? Do people find our lives and actions actions perhaps a bit foolish when we don't look out for our own good and what we deserve, but instead look out for another? Do our beliefs coincide with the culture or do we look foolish and ignorant because we refuse to just do or say what looks or feels good in the moment (and I don't mean only sexually here)? Paul looked foolish to the world. Are we prepared to look foolish in our lives at times because of what we do or don't do? I am not my own; I was bought at a price. Therefore, I want to honor God with my life...even when it makes me look foolish.
I can't help but think of the rise and fall of Robert Schuller and the Crystal Cathedral. His Hour of Power choir takes on an ironic twist now - someewhere along the line arrogance won the day there. We are all vulnerable. We want to look good and succeed. That desire often leads us astray. Instead, I think Paul wants us too be willing to accept God's wisdom which looks foolish to the world, because it manifests through human weakness....
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