Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 29-32
     New Testament Reading: 1 Corinthians 4

Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?(1 Corinthians 4:6-7)

The Apostle Paul and Apollos did not just teach the Corinthians with words, they modeled the Christian life before them. Paul was reminding them that the life they lived was consistent with the message they preached. Timothy, whom Paul sent from Ephesus to Corinth ahead of this letter, could also testify to this. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 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 (v16-17).

Paul did not want the Corinthians to follow him because he thought he was better than everyone else and he was the superior example to follow. Quite the opposite. He told them they ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed (v1).Paul was just a servant, the messenger. Jesus Christ was the one to emulate. The reason Paul wanted the Corinthians to imitate him was because in his life, he imitated Jesus Christ. Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ(1 Corinthians 11:1).

Paul went on to say, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written” (v6b). The Corinthians were judging their lives by the wrong standard. They were comparing themselves to other people, but Paul said the only true basis for evaluation is that which is written—the Word of God.

The Bible clearly reveals what kind of life and service is required of God’s people. There is no need for us to devise new standards. Far too often, churches today have gone beyond what God required in His Word and they create their own standards for their pastors, staff, and church leaders. These Church Policies and Procedures manuals often rely on the wisdom of men instead of the wisdom of God that is already given to us in Scripture.

When we follow the example of other mature Christians and the guidance of the Holy Spirit as He reveals truths from God’s Word, there is no place for arrogance. Paul said, Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other (v6c).

Paul then rebukes the Corinthians for their behavior with three rhetorical questions. First, he asks, For who makes you different from anyone else? (v7a).The expected answer is “No One.” The Corinthian church was on equal footing with all other churches. They were not the least bit superior. Next, he asked, What do you have that you did not receive? (v7b). The answer is “Nothing.”  They had heard the gospel from Paul, were saved by Christ, and taught by Paul and Apollos. All the good they possessed came from others. Finally, he demands, And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (v7c).Paul leaves them silent, with their egos reeling from this stinging reproof.

Like the Corinthians, we must resist feeling superior and indispensable, always remembering that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadow (James 1:17).