(1Co 4:10) “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.”  The true follower of Christ will not be loved by this world, for both the way they think and the way they separate from evil condemns the conscience of the lost: (Joh 15:19) “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. (20) Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”

(1Co 4:9) “For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.”  The contrast between (v.8) “ye have reigned as kings” to (v.9) “last”, “appointed to death”, “spectacle” should have resulted in shame and repentance in the church. The saved are to live as Jesus lived, in service to all others with the hope of reaching the lost and ministering to the saved.

(1Co 4:8) “Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.” This is “tongue and cheek” – sarcasm. Their conflict of “I am of So-and-So” was a boast of being, as a result,  “Somebody”. Contrast that with (2Co_12:9) “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

(1Co 4:6) “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.”   “Puffed up”, inflated in pride. Pride is at the heart of all sin, for it says that self is worth it. Many a time I have had someone, in an effort to justify some wrong action say, “The Lord knows my heart.” In other words, “I am the exception to the rule of God’s law.” Sin is sin no matter who does it or for what reason.

(1Co 4:6) “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.”  Admire the good you see in others, but remember – each has a hidden man of the heart. Look too closely and each will disappoint you. Put your faith in the Lord who will never disappoint.

(1Co 4:5) “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”  Though the things said here are negative, that is not where the focus is: “…then shall every man have praise of God.”  It goes back to verses 3 and 4, “… (1Co 4:3) “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you,…”; “….he that judgeth me is the Lord.” Do you focus on man or God?

(1Co 4:5) “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” “He will make manifest (plainly reveal) the counsels of the heart”. Here is what, in the judgments we make, we cannot know in this life. We make assumptions that are most of the time wrong in God’s sight. I can judge right and wrong, but I cannot judge the motivation.

(1Co 4:5) “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” This does not mean, “Don’t judge sin”, for in Chapter Five, Verse 12 they are told to judge sin. This is speaking of criticizing the person or actions of another of which we are each prone to do.

(1Co 4:4) “For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.”   It seems we so often read “…He that judgeth me is the Lord” with scant attention. Yet, it is of heavy weight and deserves heartfelt reflection, “He that judges me is the Lord”, the Lord is going to judge me. Yes, even you, saved brother or sister.