January 15, 2016           1 Corinthians 3:18 – 4:7

Download discussion questions:  1 Corinthians 3_18-4_7 Examination

Paul continues the theme that started this letter (1 Corinthians 1:10), the divisions in the church.  Once again he links that problem to their confusion about the values of wisdom and foolishness (1:18-27).  Our discussion started with the contrast Paul makes between any who “thinks his is wise” and his exhortation to “become foolish” (3:18).  What characterizes a person who considers himself wise?  What characterizes one who considers himself foolish?

Several suggestions were made, and the conclusion was that the “wise” person (one who thinks himself wise) is confident and in control of the situation.  A “foolish” person is more likely to be humble and teachable.  Perhaps the “wise” person makes pronouncements, self-assured in his opinion.  The “foolish” person asks question in his desire to learn.    The goal of our approach to study in this group is to use a methodical inductive study and to learn to ask better question of the text of Scripture.

Those distinctions between self-professed wisdom and a desire to become foolish fit with Paul’s recurring theme of the divisions caused by inappropriate personal loyalties:  “I am of Paul.  I am of Apollos.  I am of Cephas” (1:12; 3:5-6, 22; 4:6).  The “wise” person pronounces this teacher superior to those others.  The “foolish” person recognizes the truth of the Gospel in each of the various styles or different emphases, but then he asks questions.  How do those different expression of orthodoxy fit together?  The “wise” person is satisfied with what he knows.  The “foolish” person keeps asking questions to expand his knowledge about God and what He is like and what He is doing.  The “wise” person finds the teacher that is most like what he already thinks to reinforce his opinions.  The “foolish” person keeps exploring different perspectives of the faith to refine his belief.  The “wise” person already knows all he needs to know.  The “foolish” person knows he doesn’t know nearly enough.

Paul exhorts his readers (the ones in Corinth as well as us) to become foolish to expand our vision of what God has for us:  “all things belong to you” (3:21b).  Rather than boasting in men (“Apollos agrees with my opinion”) we can see the broad scope of what God has done and how that is expressed through a variety of faithful teachers, as well as the rest of all that God has done through Christ for us (3:23).

Several comments in our group related to Paul’s seeming dismissal of the judgment or examination of the Corinthians about his ministry (“To me it is a very small thing”, 4:3).  We even questioned the possibility of Paul being a bit arrogant:  “I am conscious of nothing against myself” (4:4).  But he immediately makes it clear that he is not claiming perfection.  He is still under the examination of the Lord (4:4b).  Perhaps the Corinthians who are “examining” him are those who consider themselves to be wise.  Their criticism of Paul is not important to him because they are judging by their wisdom, their opinions of what and how the Gospel should be communicated.  But Paul warns them against premature judgment that cannot know motives (4:5).

Someone in our group suggested that examination by the world’s standards or self-professed wisdom is usually based on comparisons or competition, often rooted in personal taste.  God’s examination is more likely to be about holiness and building others up.  Comparisons cause divisions.  Holiness draws people together in their pursuit of God.  In fact, it was pointed out that holiness is essentially closeness to God.  As we draw closer to Him we will be drawn closer to others who are following Him.  Divisions and arrogance based on favorite teachers (4:6) have the opposite effect.  They separate people from each other and eventually from God.

The “foolish” person continually explores to find better understanding.  One measure that was suggested in our group was the increasing and improving vision of who God is and what it means to know Him.  If our study and discussion is about telling others our opinion, then perhaps we are still thinking we are wise.  If we are becoming foolish and teachable we ask questions because we want to know how to see Christ more clearly.