No Puff No Boast
1 Corinthians 4:6-7 NKJV
6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. 7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
Paul is still about not exalting men, particularly preachers. He exhorts the church at Corinth to think about preachers in the light of being servants of Christ and managers of the mysteries of God. The key characteristic of a manager is that they are found faithful. Paul did not mention being an amazing speaker or a dynamic personality. A faithful servant is not very exciting, but keep in mind that Paul knew some things this church was not aware of.
Paul knew who he was in his union with Christ. He knew who he was before his encounter with Jesus. He knew what Jesus had called him and, most importantly, enabled him to do. So he wrote to the church to let them know how to think about himself and the other popular preacher, Apollos. And he used a phrase we would be wise to pay attention to. "That you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written." Don't think beyond what is written about us, faithful servants, so you are not puffed up in comparing preachers. Remember, this was the church that was identifying so strongly with preachers that they were saying, 'I am of Paul, or I am of Apollos.' They were puffed up or arrogant against their fellow believers over preacher battles. The Paul camp was boasting against the Apollos camp. And Paul was not pleased.
Paul wrote something in verse seven that should be over the door of every church, bible school, and seminary: "What do you have that you did not receive?" And there we have it. What do we have that we did not receive from the Lord? Salvation? We received that. The in dwelling Holy Spirit and His gifts? We received that. Righteousness, right standing, with God? Yep, we received that also. So since we received all these things, why are we boasting as if we did this ourselves? This also pertains to callings and anointings to stand in offices such as apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. All of these were received. And since they were received, we who stand in these offices cannot brag. And those who receive from these offices cannot brag about and exalt men. Do you have a favorite preacher? Great, but if that preacher had not received from the Lord, they would have nothing of spiritual value to offer.
Christian maturity is seen in believers who honor and respect those in leadership but only identify with and exalt Jesus. Leadership structure in a church is necessary. Exalting leaders beyond what is written is a mistake.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for what You have given me. And thank You for the faithful servants in my life who have helped me learn and grow in You.