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| 1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. |
Of us – Paul, Apollos, Peter, and a general reference to all who are Christ's. R2157:2*
As of the ministers – Servants. F231; R1972:3, 1524:1
While this ministry belonged specially to the apostles, it belongs also to the whole Church, who have the anointing and commission (Isa. 61:1, 2) and the consequent resp R1972:3, 2157:2*
And stewards – The consecrated, the saints, are God's stewards. We are stewards of all the talents, etc., which we consecrated to him. So then our stewardship is a very special one. R819:2
The positive element of character and the recognized obligation to activity are specially implied in the term "steward," as well as a righteous character. R2157:3*
The apostles bore witness not only to the things they heard and saw, but, additionally, to the instruction which they received through the holy Spirit; thus they were faithful stewards. F217; R1523:3
The apostles were specially guided in respect to the testimony, doctrines, customs, etc. which they would establish in the Church. F217
Paul used his judgment as a steward. R1545:3
The mysteries of God – God's Plan. In addition to our own consecrated powers to use, God gives us a glad glorious message to the world. R820:1
To receive the "good news" is to become a steward of it, and brings the opportunity and the incentive for carrying out the original stewardship. R820:1
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| 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. |
Required in stewards – A special class of servants--also called sons. R5385:6
A term common in olden time. R5385:6
The entire body of Christ is called, not to indolent, self-complacent ease, but to diligent and enterprising activity in the divine service. R2157:5*
Each one, male or female, who possesses a talent or gift, becomes a steward of the same; and in the reckoning day the Lord will require each steward to give an account. R1549:2
Be found faithful – To his trust. R820:4
A faithful steward would be on the lookout for everything that represented the Master's interests; would be as careful of these as he would be of his own. R5385:6
Faithful with what he has. The one who is using his talents to the full capacity is specially pleasing to the Lord. This matter calls up the thought of full, complete loyalty of heart devotion. R5386:2
By a proper and diligent use of our gifts in harmony with the divine purpose and methods. R1972:3
One person might be a good writer; another a good speaker, or a good exhorter; and another may be good at all three of these things. The one good at all three would have three times as much responsibility. R5387:1
Faithfulness is required of all in the use of all talents possessed. R1549:2
The Lord will not count us faithful if we simply be good and make little or no effort to do good. It is important to consider whether our course of service is day by day approved of God as faithful. R2157:5*
We want to spend, fully and promptly, yet wisely as possible, the Master's goods, time, talent, money, influence, etc., put into our hands for disposal, as the Master's example and Word directs. R819:3
Paul was a faithful steward ever seeking new and greater opportunities to spend and be spent in the heavenly service. R819:6
Whoever receives the truth in the love of it will to the best of his ability and judgment show it to others at whatever the cost may be. SM294:T
O that all the consecrated may more fully realize themselves as the Lord's Stewards, or Executors, appointed to administer upon their own Wills. How it would destroy the I, my, mine, spirit. R819:3
If we are unfaithful, can we expect him who knoweth the heart to entrust to such care the true riches of his glory and kingdom? R820:4
The parables of the pounds and talents (Luke 19:11-27; Matt. 25:14-20) show w R1972:3, 819:5
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| 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. |
That I should be judged – Paul's faithfulness in seeking to build up and establish the Church in purity of doctrine and life, was often misunderstood, and failed to be appreciated by them. R664:4*, 416:4*
Of you, or of man's – Neither the world nor the brethren were capable of judging Paul. R5887:5, 4829:1, 2480:2
It would be improper to say, This one belongs to the Great Company and that one to the Little Flock. R314:6
I judge not – Condemn not. R2480:2, 5887:5, 5519:6, 4829:2, 2480:2; Q314:6; CR446:6; 294:3
I realize that I am not competent to judge even my own case. R4683:6, 4971:5; Q384:1
You and I are incapable; even in our own case we cannot always be able to judge thoroughly. CR446:6; R5519:5
Use a certain amount of leniency. R5519:6
Only the Lord, who can read the heart and know all the conditions, testings and weaknesses to be striven against, can properly judge. R5887:5, 5245:5, 4829:1, 2480:2
There is a difference between judging the heart, which we have no right to do, and judging the conduct, which is right to do. R5245:5; Q385:4
Mine own self – Paul might be too lenient with himself, and again too severe, when, perhaps, he was doing the best he could. CR294:3
I might pass a wrong judgment on myself and say, You do not belong to the Little Flock, or say, Surely you do belong to the Little Flock. Q314:6
It is difficult even for one to judge himself aright--difficult to know to what extent the new creature has done all in its power to war a good warfare against the flesh. R5902:5
It is an excellent plan neither to condemn others who claim to be walking conscientiously as children of the Lord, nor even to condemn ourselves if we are sincerely striving to do the Lord's will. R4829:2, 2480:2
We may not even too hastily judge ourselves to be worthy of the second death. R4971:5; Q384:1
This is not a contradiction of 1 Cor. 11:31; but seems to be that whenned to judge ourselves too severely. R5519:6
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| 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. |
Nothing by myself – For I know nothing amiss of myself as a steward. F410
He that judgeth me – Who is infallible in judgment and to whom judgment belongs. R5604:4
We cannot properly judge even ourselves as respects our own weaknesses. The Lord knows how to make all due allowance. R5586:1
Is the Lord – Sometimes the New Creature is so beset by the world, the flesh and the Adversary, that his victory may seem to outsiders to be rather ignoble. God alone knows to what extent better results were possible. R5902:5
God loves us and is willing to give us credit for every good desire and effort, even though it result in total or partial failure. F411
Only the Lord, who can read the heart and know all the conditions, testings and weaknesses to be striven against, can properly judge. R5887:5
No one would be condemned to death for not controlling the tobacco habit or the coffee habit or the morphine habit. God alone knows how each is struggling. R4971:5; Q384:1
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| 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. |
Judge nothing – Greek: krino, to distinguish, decide, try, etc. referring to the judgment of the Millennial age. R2426:4
Condemn nothing. R5389:5
Beyond discriminating between the true sheep and the wolves in sheep's clothing. F198; R1362:3
We are not to judge the world now. R2415:3, 5979:4, 5845:5, 5644:5, 5604:4, 4991:2; Q651:1
We note injustice; we ought to note it. But it is not our province to flay, to inflict punishment. R5604:4, 5979:4
It is not for us to settle with the criminal. God knows to what extent he is responsible. It is our duty to look at him from the standpoint of sympathy. R5979:4, 5604:4
We should avoid judging the brethren. R5887:1, 5701:3, 5604:4, 2666:2
Our responsibility may vary according to the natural strength or weakness of our character: God alone can fully judge. R5701:3
We cannot fully appreciate the degree of the temptation and the weakness of the tempted. R5032:3
This does not refer to our judging ourselves. R5519:5
If the matter is a legal one, and we are personally wronged by process of law, we are to yield in the right spirit, even though it be unjust. Let us wait for the Lord's time and way to set things straight. R5644:5
Before the time – When we shall be our Lord's associates, his wife, the Royal Priesthood. R4991:3, 5628:4
"The saints shall judge the world." (1 Cor. 6:2) E193; R2426:4, 2415:3
Do not decide about anybody else; but let each of us watch himself, and see to it that he keep his heart in the right attitude toward the Lord and the brethren. All will soon be manifested. R5845:5
It is very seldom that God visits punishment upon the world in the present time. He hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world. R569:5
The world has not yet come into this judgment: its reckoning is yet future; but ours is now upon us. R1362:5
When God's time shall come, no room for doubt will be left; every member of our race shall come to a clear knowledge of the truth that he may be saved. NS284:1, 317:4
Until the Lord come – The teaching of the Apostle here is parallel to that of our Lord in his parable of the wheat and the tares. (Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43) R1362:1
We are now living in the days of the parousia (presence) of the Son of Man, "The Lord of the harvest." (Matt. 9:38) R1362:1, 5389:5
In this day, it becomes our duty, as well as our privilege, to judge who is on the Lord's side and who is against him. (Matt. 12:30) R1362:3
Will bring to light – The Sun of Righteousness will, in the Millennial day, shine for the benefit of all the world, dispelling the noxious vapors of evil, and bringing life, health and peace, and joy. A21
Everything hidden will be uncovered--we are living in this time of special testing. R5154:5, 5389:5, 1362:3; HG572:5
"God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." (Eccl. 12:14) R2612:6, 722:2
"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." (Prov. 15:3) R2612:6, 722:2
Hidden things of darkness – Not only the hidden things of creeds and systems of error and iniquity, but also the hidden things of individual character. R1362:4; HG572:5
God is with men, and Christ and the Church are with men, more or less contradicting and putting to shame the things of darkness of the present time. R4973:3
Will make manifest – If we would not be put to shame before him, we must be honest. R5154:5; HG572:5
Among those whom we fellowship and bid God-speed as brethren, it is our duty to judge whether they are still faithful when the magnet of truth makes their judgment so manifest. (2 John 10, 11) R1362:5
It is the nominally elect class that is being tried now; and God is now making manifest the secret counsels of the hearts of his people. R1363:4
The counsels – The intentions of the heart. F410
In the next chapter, Paul tells the Corinthians to deal with the fornicator. Men could deal with sinners, but when it is a heart work, a question of motive, they could not deal with it. R98:1*
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| 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. |
Above that which is written – If any be disposed to worship the humble human instrumentality chosen of God as the channel for this blessing of present truth, we say to such, "See thou do it not." (Rev. 22:9) R1867:3
When there is no revelation on the subject. R4654:3
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| 7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? |
Who – God has set the various members in the body as it has pleased him and the bringing forth of the different degrees of fruitage are manifestations of his grace in our hearts. R5284:2
It is all by God's grace that we are better than others; it is not for us to glory, but to give thanks. R4991:4
Maketh thee – A New Creation--a new order--amongst whose members there is a difference. R5284:1
To differ – By his grace we are what we are. R3842:2, 5284:2
Some in the Church have many talents, others, few talents, some have special talents, some have ordinary talents. R5284:1
No two persons are exactly alike in opportunity, talent and ability. God did not create some better and some worse, some less and some more richly endowed. R5284:1
Sin has made us all to differ from the original image and likeness of God. Satan brought about this difference through Mother Eve. R5284:1
We give God the praise that he has made us to differ from our former selves, and that he will continue the work as we seek to do his will. R5284:5
The degradation which came upon the world through the fall of Adam has been to a considerable extent offset by the grace and truth which our Lord Jesus brought to light through his message of salvation. SM381:1
Truth mixed with error has made Christendom to differ from heathendom, greatly to its advantage in some respects. SM384:2, 387:2
The people of Israel were made to differ from other men by reason of God's dealings with them and promises to them. SM380:1, 381:1
Didst not receive? – From the Lord. R3842:2, 5000:6, 1867:3; SM387:2
What have we of ourselves? Nothing! R5284:5, 1972:3
Nothing with which we may do as we please. All that we have belongs to God, and we are merely stewards of his goods. R1972:3
Justification through faith in the precious blood is surely not of ourselves. It was favor upon favor that we were granted the privilege of presenting our bodies living sacrifices, to become the Lamb's wife. SM387:2
Everything that we possess--every quality of character and its development--has come to us from the Lord; in these words there is a thought that should help us toward humility. SM387:1
Any progress made by any of the race has been in proportion as he has received of the Lord's favor and accepted the same. SM375:2, 387:2
The response of our heart must be gratitude and thankfulness. R2460:2
Why dost thou glory? – If what we have received is a gift, where is our right to be proud? There is no reason to be proud, but every reason to be thankful to the Great Giver of good. R5000:6
All Christians by virtue of their relation to God have every reason to give thanks to the Lord that they differ from their fellow creatures; but they have nothing whereof to boast. R5154:5, 3842:2, 2999:5*
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| 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. |
Now ye are full – You imagine that somehow the reign of Christ is in progress. A287
Said ironically. R1524:1; A286; F231
Ye are rich – You are getting along very prosperously, you have had no trouble or persecution at all. R5023:5; Q118:2
Ye have reigned – Some were already grasping honor and power, cultivating pride and avoiding sacrifice. A286; NS338:3
Catholics claim that for over 1000 years the Pope has been the representative of Christ as King of earth; they are laboring under a misapprehension. R5023:5; Q118:2
As kings without us – Paul was opposing the idea of some of the brethren who seemed to be aspiring to lordship over God's heritage. F231; R1574:2
Living as kings without waiting for the time to come to have association with the other members of the body. NS338:3
I would – Making fun of them a little. R5023:5; Q118:2
That we also – We persecuted apostles. A286
Reign with you – If the long-looked-for reign had begun, Paul also would be reigning no less than they. He by faithfulness was a sufferer for the truth's sake, which was a proof that their reign was premature. A286
When the reign of Christ begins, it will be such a thorough reign that all the members of his body will have some part in it. R5023:5; Q118:3; HG186:6
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| 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. |
Set forth – Exhibited. R756:2*
Us the apostles – So assured was the Apostle of his own, and the other apostles, faithfulness, that he could say to the Church, "You have us for examples." R1884:6
Appointed to death – Alluding to an illustration to those last exposed in the theatre to fight with wild beats, or with each other, and who were devoted to certain destruction. R756:2*
Spectacle – The word in the marginal rendering of the Authorized Version, is theatre. The apostles were being made "a show of" because of their loyalty to the cause of Christ. Q744:1
Not an object of reverence and homage. F231
Those who have consecrated themselves as sacrifices, are being made a spectacle to all those outside as well as within their own company. R756:2*
And to angels – Man was intended from the first to be a spectacle to angels as well as himself a miracle of divine mercy and love. The perfect, inexperienced pair were subjected to a trial which God knew would fail. R2839:4, 1680:5
What the race of mankind is learning by actual experience the spirit beings are learning by observation. Q744:1
The holy angels, who have known no sin, will in mankind read to eternity a valuable lesson of the exceeding sinfulness of sin and the wisdom and blessedness of righteousness. SM470:T; R313:3
"By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison." (1 Pet. 3:19) R1679:6
And to men – Both men and angels will shortly be judged by the Church, and blessed by it, if found obedient and worthy of life. R1679:6; HG729:5
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| 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. |
We – Apostles and faithful servants. A286
Are fools – Said ironically. A286; R2514:3
Though counted as fools by the worldly-minded. E202; R5495:6, 2547:6; NS265:2
To those without faith in Christ and his teachings this was all foolishness on the part of the Apostle. To them Paul seemed to be a religious fanatic. Q778:6; 744:1
From the world's standpoint our Lord made a serious misuse of his time and talents in sacrificing. This is true of all proper sacrificers since; they must go to the Lord without the camp; bear his reproaches. NS254:2; R1109:6; SM9:1
The Lord's consecrated people who seek to make their calling and election sure are counted fools, because to attain that they are willing to sacrifice present temporal interests. R3585:4, 371:4; Q779:T
Many will think the Christian's course strange, unnatural, insane; because we preach the wisdom and love of God, in preference to the wisdom and love of humanity. R5426:2
The world has applauded and reprimanded the outward Church of God, but has uniformly disallowed the true and considered its members to be merely foolish. SM9:1
As David was counted by his brethren too insignificant to be considered for the Lord's anointed, so also are those whom the Lord is choosing and anointing for his heavenly kingdom. R3226:5
For Christ's sake – To be disowned and disesteemed of the world for the Truth's sake; the test which the Father imposed as a demonstration of our loyalty to him. CR38:1
If others think us fools for getting our instructions from the Bible, we are willing to be called fools for Christ's sake. CR496:6
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| 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; |
Unto this present hour – Apparently referring back to experiences at Corinth. R2192:5
Hunger and thirst – Permitted to be in want. R4416:2
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| 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
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Labor – That we might not be chargeable to any, but might have the privilege of helping, together with all saints, in supplying the lack, both temporal and spiritual, of others. R548:1, 552:1
As well as in preaching and expounding the Scriptures. R733:2
Working with our own hands – Because others were not exercising their gifts, Paul's love for the body and the truth, led him to attempt still greater service to make up for the deficiency of others. R733:2
Being reviled – To be traduced. R4416:2
It requires some stamina to be a loyal follower in the footsteps of Jesus, misunderstood and reviled as he was. R5495:6
We bless – Not that when one has said a slanderous thing of us, we are to say, "God bless you"; but that if a person is in difficulty and needs help, we are to overlook altogether what he has done, and be ready to help him. R5172:3
Instead of feeling like bringing vengeance upon our enemies, we should feel sympathy for them--not with them, but for them. R5173:1
By helping them, if opportunity offers, out of darkness into light. R5172:4
The spirit of generosity and benevolence should be the spirit of the Lord's people. R5172:4
No matter how much we are reviled, we are not to revile in return. R5172:3
You not only must not retaliate and revile your foes, but must not even wish to do so. R2412:5
Being persecuted – Oppressed. R4416:2
The majority of persecutions have been by those who professed to be the people of God. R5172:5, 5173:5
The persecutions of today are different from those of any other period of history. Many faithful followers of the Lord are reproved and slandered for their loyalty to the Word of God. R5173:1
Our Lord adopts the flesh of his followers as his; the Church is said to be filling up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ. (Col. 1:24) R5173:4
The Corinthians had flourished financially, socially and suffered little persecution; and were unable to rightly sympathize with Paul in his active ministry and the many hazardous incidents therewith. R2514:3
We suffer it – It behooves the Lord's people to look with great sympathy upon those who may be their persecutors. Some persecutors think they are doing the will of God. R5172:5
These conditions are a test to the Lord's people, to prove whether they are willing to endure persecutions and oppositions cheerfully, as a part of the cost of being disciples of Christ. R5173:2
No matter how much we are persecuted, we are not to persecute in return. R5172:3
If we receive these lessons with patience and long-suffering, we will develop more of the character-likeness of our Redeemer and thus become more worthy of a share with him in the future glory. R5173:2
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| 13 Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. |
Being defamed – Slandered. R4416:2
We entreat – The apostles issued neither bulls and anathemas, but we find loving entreaties. F232
Filth of the world – All who have espoused Christ's cause have become identified with a body, or company, that is despised of men, a humiliated body. R5579:6
The offscouring – These insults came frequently from poor, blinded slaves of sin; at other times from those who are "willingly ignorant." R5252:6
"The world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." (1 John 3:1) R3918:4; NS694:4
Unto this day – If God permitted Paul such experiences to bring out the best in him and make his epistles more useful to us, the Lord's dealings with us may be for our preparation for further usefulness in his service. R4416:2
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| 14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. |
Not these things to shame you – I have a better and a nobler object. A286
Speaking of his labor and suffering for them. R664:4*, 416:4*
Not to cause them pain or shame but to awaken them to a proper appreciation of the true situation, to the intent that they might be to a larger extent co-laborers with him. R2514:3
I warn you – Because present honor and glory lead not to the glory and honor to be revealed; but present suffering and self-denial are the narrow path to glory, honor, immortality and joint-heirship in the kingdom. A286
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| 15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. |
Begotten – Through the truth--the gospel. R836:3
In the natural birth there are three steps of development, begetting, quickening, and birth; and so with those who become "new creatures in Christ Jesus." R836:3, 837:1
In due time the quickening into activity, zeal, and labor, will give evidence to others that we have been begotten of the truth to newness of life. R836:3
Greek: gennao, represents the same thought as our two words, beget and born, and in our common translation it is rendered, beget; conceived; begotten; as well as born; delivered; and bear. R836:6
When used in connection with God, it should always be rendered beget or begotten. R837:1
In Christ Jesus – God gave Christ "to be head over all things to the church which is his body." (Eph. 1:22) R72:6
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| 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. |
Followers of me – Suffer and be reviled and persecuted now, that you may share with me the crown of life. A286
The only right way, which is that of humility, in this respect. R1524:1; F231
Paul meant the narrow way of sacrifice; in the footprints of the Lord. R756:2*
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| 17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. |
I sent unto you Timotheus – Paul sent two of his helpers, Erastus and Timothy in advance of his visit. (2 Tim. 4:20) R3159:2
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| 18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. |
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| 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. |
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| 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. |
In power – It is only through the "ministration of the Spirit" that man obtains freedom. R1322:5
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| 21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? |
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