In chapter 4 we have a continuation of Paul’s
discussion of the ministry, and are given three more
pictures of the pastorate. The pastor is the steward of
God’s wealth. It is the responsibility of the steward to
be faithful to the Master, and the pastor’s
responsibility is to be faithful to teach the things of
the Lord. He will be judged by his own Master according
to his faithfulness. Another ministry of a pastor is to
be a spectacle, or example, to the world. He should not
be blighted or blemished by the world; but rather, an
example of Christ in his daily living. Finally, Paul
says in verses 15-21 that the pastor should be a
spiritual father. He is responsible for training his
sheep in the ways of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
In chapter 5 Paul deals with a second problem.
Immorality has been reported in the church, and refusal
of church leaders to deal with it has also been
prevalent. A church is responsible for disciplining a
member when he is guilty of ruining the testimony of the
church. The first reason sin in the church should be
disciplined is for the good of the offender. If, in
fact, the church does not discipline the offender, then
he will probably continue to do the same things. The
second reason for discipline is for the good of the
church. If other members of the church see an offender
go unpunished, then very likely they will take part in
his sin. The third reason for discipline is for the good
of the world. If the world looks at the church and sees
the same kind of worldly living within the church as
they do in the world, then there is no reason for the
world to be a part of the church, because they cannot
see any difference in the church and the world. The
world must see a change in Christians; if not,
Christians become a real stumbling block to lost people.
Paul seems to be making a definite distinction between
sin in the lives of Christians and sin in the lives of
unbelievers (verses 9-19). He alludes that sin in the
lives of Christians is worse. Sin in the church that is
not dealt with is soon known to everyone. We must
discipline offenders in the name of Jesus Christ,
because it is His reputation that is at stake. Private
sin always means private confession, but public sin
demands public confession in every case.
In chapter 6 Paul deals with the two remaining
problems that have been reported to him. There were
disputes among the brethren which were taken to court.
Paul says that believers must never be exposed before
unbelievers. Certainly, an unsaved judge lacks
understanding to deal with spiritual matters. The church
at Corinth was guilty of dragging one another to court
and ruining the testimony of the church and disgracing
the name of the Lord. Another problem was defilement of
their leaders and mixing with the world. When God saves
a person, He saves him from sin and calls him to be
separate from the world. The body of a saved person is
the temple of the Holy Spirit and must be guided and
directed by the Holy Spirit if that Christian is to live
a fulfilled and successful life. Too many Christians
today are having a difficult time in their Christian
life because they have not yielded their bodies to the
leadership of the Holy Spirit. They are in constant
conflict with Him when they are trying to do their own
will. A successful Christian is surrendered to the will
of god.
Chapter 7 deals with the problems of marriage
and the home. Paul is answering the questions the
Corinthians asked in the letter they wrote him (see 7:1;
8:1; 12:1; 16:1). Paul has been accused by some modern
liberals of being cruel to women in his writings, but
nothing can be farther from the truth. His ministry of
the Gospel did more to raise the position of women than
we realize. As you read this chapter, keep in mind,
first of all, that Corinth was noted for its immorality
and lack of standards for the home; secondly, that Paul
was dealing with local problems that we may not face in
the same way today; and, thirdly, that it was a time of
persecution for the Christians.