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Daily Devotions

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 
Day 
Day 63

"Now some are puffed up..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 4:18

A CANDID PERSPECTIVE

Paul was very candid in sharing his perspective of the problems that affected the Corinthian Church. Sometimes, we can be quite unwise and naive when we think that there are few problems in the Church.

“Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.
But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know,
not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.
For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod,
or in love and a spirit of gentleness?”
1 Corinthians 4:18-21

1. The detractors of Paul

a) They were “puffed up”.
i) They had inflated opinions of themselves.
ii) They despised Paul and his ministry.
b) They doubted that Paul was ever coming to Corinth.
i) They cast doubts as to Paul’s integrity.
ii) They were causing people in the church to have second thoughts about Paul and his ministry.

2. The Decisive action of Paul

a) He was well aware that everything had to be done in the will of God.
b) If the Lord wanted him to be there in Corinth, he will be there.
c) He was not afraid of his detractors.
d) He was not afraid of their words against him.

3. A needed reminder

a) The Kingdom of God was not just simply preaching the Gospel.
b) There was power from the Lord (Greek “dunamin”).
i) This was promised and given when the Spirit of God came upon the Church (Acts 1-2).
ii) Paul wielded the power of God mightily in his ministry.

4. Choices

a) Paul could come with a rod (discipline is in mind).
b) Or he could come in love and in a spirit of gentleness.

The choice was up to the Corinthian Church how Paul would minister in their midst in his next visit!