1 Corinthians 4:1-21 Nothing Beyond What Is Written

Feb 15, 2021

In 1 Corinthians 4:6, Paul gives the Corinthian Christians a warning “not to go beyond what is written.” As Pastor
Brian preached last week, their foundation was laid on things other than the Word of God. By contrast, every element
in this morning’s service drives us back to the Scriptures. Passages from Matthew 4, Psalm 19, Isaiah 40, and Psalm
119 remind us of several truths—that we live by the Word; that the Word is a light to our path; that it is perfect, true,
and righteous; and that while we will wither and fade, “the Word of our God shall stand forever.” Nearly all the songs
we sing this morning are taken directly from the text of the Psalms, and all refer to the excellence of the Word itself.
We’ll sing that the Word is a sword in our hands (Psalm 149), our delight (Psalm 1) and a resting place in times of
trouble (Psalm 40). We ask to be instructed in His way (Psalm 27; Psalm 119), and we promise to follow the leading of
His Word (Psalm 119). The service does conclude with two non-Scriptural hymns, Speak O Lord and How Firm A
Foundation, but even these point to the sufficiency of “the food of [His] Holy Word” and the firm foundation laid for
us in it. As we go out from this place, let’s heed Paul’s warning to stay rooted in the words of Scripture. After all, “what
more can He say than to you He has said?”
—Henry C. Haffner

Key Words: Servants, Stewards, Judged, Beyond, Written, Boast, Ashamed, Admonish
Keystone Verse: That you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written. (1 Corinthians 4:6)

 

1 Corinthians 4:1-21
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. ² Moreover,
it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. ³ But with me it is a very small thing that I should be
judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. ⁴ For I am not aware of anything
against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. ⁵ Therefore do not pronounce
judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness
and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
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. 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?
⁸ 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! 9 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. ¹⁰ 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. ¹¹ To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and
buffeted and homeless, ¹² and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when
persecuted, we endure; ¹³ when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the
world, the refuse of all things.
¹⁴ I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. ¹⁵ For
though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ
Jesus through the gospel. ¹⁶ I urge you, then, be imitators of me. ¹⁷ That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved
and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every
church. ¹⁸ Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. ¹⁹ But I will come to you soon, if the Lord
wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. ²⁰ For the kingdom of God does
not consist in talk but in power. ²¹ What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit
of gentleness?