PAUL’S FIRST LETTER to the Corinthian church opens with a statement of his own authority: “Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” (1 Cor. 1:1) The reason that he needs to begin this way surfaces a little bit further on—there is disunity in the church. “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” (1 Cor. 1:10) He becomes more specific. “You are still worldly.” (1 Cor. 3:2)
There is growing dissension over the leadership of the church. “There is jealousy and quarreling among you. One says, ‘I follow Paul;’ another ‘I follow Apollos.’” (1 Cor. 3:2) He tries to widen and deepen their understanding not only of leadership in the church— “Whether Paul, or Apollos or Cephas” —but beyond that the immense scope of everyone’s responsibility as part of the body of Christ: “The world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” (1 Cor. 3:22-23) In other words, we might think he’s challenging them: “Quit bickering, get beyond yourselves, and step up into your full responsibilities!” Paul is indicating that there is only one real leader of the church, and that is Jesus Christ.
However, God has instituted leadership in the church, those who have defined ministry roles. In another letter, Paul says “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph. 2:11-13; cf. 1 Cor. 12:28-31) Those who lead in ministry are direct under-shepherds of the Great Shepherd, and deserve—if they are worthy in their calling—the respect and support of the rest of the living body of Christ.
This is a defining issue in the Corinthian church—and in all churches, and in all churches of all time. Paul speaks strongly to this now. “This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.” (1 Cor. 4:1)
Leaving behind for now the responsibilities of the church body, let us consider Paul’s next statement about the character of those who feel called to become leaders. “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (1 Cor. 4:2) He addresses next just how it is leaders prove themselves trustworthy, using himself as an example. “I have applied these things to myself for your benefit.” (1 Cor. 4:6) Then he says, “We are fools for Christ. We are weak, we are dishonored, we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly.” (1 Cor. 4:10-13)
Paul wasn’t there when Jesus taught his first-appointed apostles about leadership. Jesus purposefully took one of the lowest social positions possible—a person who’s menial task is to wash the dirty feet of those who enter a home after walking through the filthy streets polluted by animal waste. “He got up, took off his outer clothing, poured water into a basin, and began to wash his disciples’ feet.” (John 13:4-5) Afterwards, he told them “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” (John 13:15-16)
But Paul has been with Jesus’ other apostles many times over the years, and has seen first-hand the character that they have consistently displayed in following after Jesus as his appointed leaders of the church. And he’s learned something else from them that he has brought into his own understanding of leadership. All the tasks of leadership that are so difficult for Christian leaders, that require so much out of them, are worth it. Jesus warned that “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48) But he also promised that, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:17)
Most of us who attend church with some regularity have been occasionally concerned about either the leadership of our church, or the attending body, or both. It’s not an unusual thing, but it is an unfortunate thing. Paul’s word’s come to mind: “You are still worldly.” (1 Cor. 3:2) Paul calls us all to this reality check: “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” (1 Cor. 1:26)
It is only Jesus who is the true leader of the church. So, says Paul, “Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:31) Paul would perhaps close with this thought: “So that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph. 4:12-13)
Q. Am I trustworthy before God?
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