Articles
Destructive Pride
Division was rocking the congregation in Corinth. The apostle Paul pointed out that pride in
the hearts of the members was the root of the problem. Paul reminds them that they should not
go beyond what is written in scripture, and not rely on their own understanding and man-made
teaching (1 Corinthians 3:18). “‘Do not go beyond what is written’ Then you will not be puffed
up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. For who makes you different from
anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you
boast as though you did not?” (1 Cor. 4:6-7). People in the church at Corinth were puffed up and
full of pride. They had begun thinking of themselves as more important and placing themselves
above others. Paul seems to sarcastically say that they are thinking of themselves as rich kings (1
Cor. 4:8). This pride led to divisions, jealousy, and quarreling among the members (1 Cor. 3:3).
Paul reminds them of what true servants of God look like. He describes the lives of the
apostles and reminds them that gaining status in this world is not important. “For it seems to me
that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die
in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to
human beings. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are
strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are
in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we
are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 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” (1 Cor. 4:9-13). Paul reminds us to keep our focus on our home in heaven and not the
things of this world.
