Trustworthy is a phrase, however, that implies judgment. Who will just what is a trustworthy stewardship of the mysteries? Paul adds that he will not even judge himself in the matter. Paul admits that he is not adequate to the job of judgment. He may say that he is without a problem, but his saying doesn’t necessarily make it so. The directive in Paul’s teaching becomes one of "non-judgment". Judgment becomes a matter reserved for Christ at the end of the age. It is the final judgment that will bring all things, now held in darkness, to light. It is the Christ of the final judgment that will shed light upon everything that is dark now.

As stated before, the eschaton – the end of all history is of secondary importance, only to the crucifixion of the Christ as the cross is the means of God’s justifying love for the world. The end stands a second as that is the finalization of God’s plan for the world to restore all that is fallen.

The lesson that Paul is teaching comes through example. Both he and Apollos must operate under the same rules that they are preaching. Paul and Apollos must be willing to take the secondary position in the scheme of all things to Christ. They must see themselves as "servants" – fellow stewards of the mysteries – each having their own place in the work of establishing the church. This is the message that Paul is implying in the quotation, "Nothing beyond what is written." The statement is about following the rules that are already laid down. They are following the established ways of operating, not something that they have made up or invented. There is to be nothing in the foreground that may be a reason to boast. Puffed up is an expression of pride. Neither Paul no Apollos is greater one over the other, and the same must apply to all workers of Christ. All are of the same standing before God, equally servants and stewards of the mysteries. The point is that what gifts anyone possesses are just that – gifts from God. We have nothing that hasn’t been given to us by God. We have no possessions that are not gifts. We have not personality traits that are not gifts. We have no positions in the community or church that are not gifts. The injunction is against boasting. The questions is, how can you boast if you claim (and believe) that everything comes from God?

Paul turns attention to the "riches" that the Corinthians already possess. They are referred to as kings. Paul’s statement is true, though like many of the mysteries of God, their kingship is hidden in the mysteries of God. Their kingship is something that will be revealed in the end time when the light is shown upon all things.

The hidden quality comes more to the foreground as Paul does his comparison of them and the apostles whom he characterizes as those who "God has exhibited . . . as last of all . . . as those sentenced to death." The gospel narratives all reflect the teaching that "the last will be first and the first will be last" – they teach that in following Jesus, those who "will be great must become servant to all." Paul’s apostolic example is that God had made an example of this teaching in the lives of the apostles. They has become spectacles – they are laughed at a mocked. Paul amplifies the example to include a spectacle before humanity and heaven. They are fools to the world while wise in Christ – those who hold to salvation of the world through the cross of Christ instead of through human works or wisdom. They are held as weak, held in disrepute, hungry, beaten, and homeless. The life of apostleship is not one of glory, but one of hard work and danger in a dangerous and hostile environment. It is a job which brings may pit falls and is tiring hard work. Apostleship brings certain behavior expectations – when reviled, bless those who revile; when persecuted, endure the persecution; when slandered, speak kindly. These are harsh words that Paul speaks – we have become "as rubbish of the world – the dregs of all things. Apostleship is not the easy way.

Admonishment as beloved children – Paul takes a person stake in the churches – as a father takes a personal stake in his children. The appeal as a father to children is to "be imitators of me". Paul’s approach is not one of "do what I say, not what I do", but one of "do what I do" – live the way I live my life. Paul’s teaching also comes around to the truth that "talk is cheap." The kingdom of God is not dependant upon words only, but upon action. "Power" is an important issue. Power is comprised of action. Paul will spend much time in the future talking about power and its origin.

© Copy write held by The Rev. Dr. Kipp W. Zimmermann

Wednesday, October 15, 2003