The Corinthians had grown entitled in their faith. They wanted the gifts, the show and the prestige of being a follower of Christ. They were not concerned with the gift that had been given them as gentiles. Apart from Christ, the Gentile world had no opportunity to know and relate to God. So, Paul was trying to help them to understand the attitude of gratefulness that should pervade their lives; rather than an attitude of entitlement. He knew that if they were truly seeking to be like Christ and follow Him, the petty arguments would fade away, and the church would stand united, not divided.
In our lives the same remains. If we would remember the greatness of the gift we have received in Christ, we would be focused upon Him, we would be grateful and we would not feel entitled to anything but the wages of sin–death. Like Paul, we need to humbly seek God with an attitude of grace and thankfulness. As we do that, He will supply everything else. We are not entitled, no, we are blessed! Help me, Lord to remain grateful for all you have provided and all that you have done.
God Bless You
We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 11 To this very hour, we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.
Paul’s Appeal and Warning
14 I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. 15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 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.
18 Some of you have become arrogant as if I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you very soon if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?
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