You Are Completely Satiated and Fully Satisfied
Commentary on 1 Cor. 4:8-15
By Jonathan Mitchell
8. You folks already continuously exist being ones having become completely satiated, with the result that you are now fully and excessively satisfied. You are already suddenly rich. You people suddenly reign as kings (or: attained to sovereignty) - apart from us! [note: these three statements could also be questions: Are you... Are you... Do you...?] And would that you surely did reign (function as kings) so that we could also reign as kings together with you!
Taken as a statement about them, Paul might be using sarcasm to combat their apparent airs of superiority. But the Greek could be read as a series of rhetorical questions that would call them to reconsider their attitudes towards others. He is striking at the root of the divisions that have been tearing at the unity of the community. The final statement, "would that you surely did reign..." tells us that Paul does not think that they are really reigning at this point. But consider what he said in 2:Tim. 2:12,
"since we are continuously remaining under for support (or: if we continue patiently enduring), we will also continue reigning (performing royal activities and influence) together..."
There are conditions for reigning. Jesus asked His disciples, in regard to this,
"Are you folks now able and do you continue having power to drink at once the cup which I, Myself, am continuing about to be progressively drinking?" (Mat. 20:22)
Obviously, Paul considers them as still being children (3:2, above; 9:7, below; Heb. 5:12, 13). His terminology about "reigning" is an allusion to the concept of God's reign and kingdom, and points to the goal of being leaders in God's sovereign activities (Mat. 20:21), in contrast to seeking success in the domination systems of the Empire, or in society.
Another point to observe here is Paul's assessment of their being satisfied with their present level of spiritual growth. He characterizes them as being "satiated" and "fully and excessively satisfied." Paul, on the other hand, does not consider himself to have yet "attained." To Philippi he would write concerning himself,
"not because I already take it by the hand (grasp, lay hold of it; or: obtained) or even have been already brought to the purposed goal and destiny" (Phil. 3:12),but rather, he was,
"continuously pressing forward, pursuing down toward [the; or: an] object in view (a mark on which the eye is fixed): into the awarded contest prize of God's (or: the award which is God's) invitation to an above place (or: the prize from, and which is, the upward calling from, and which is, the God) within the midst of and in union with Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14).
These folks had attached themselves to one or another of the "anointed preachers or teachers" of their day, and apparently felt that this was their ticket to being a part of the "in crowd," the "winners circle." He wants them to face their present reality, and then adjust their attitudes. They apparently had a lack of humility and thought that they had finished their course, in following Christ. Their immaturity demonstrated the fact that they were not "reigning as kings" in God's kingdom. They also apparently saw themselves as independent of the rest of Christ's body - as we see in Paul's words: "apart from us!" The risen Christ described a similar situation in Rev. 3:15-20.
9 Indeed, it continues seeming to me that (or: I regularly suppose that; I am presently thinking that) God shows us off (exhibits us) - the last ones sent off with a mission (or: displayed the emissaries and representatives last) - as men condemned to die in the public arena [e.g., as gladiators, or as thrown to the lions], because we were made to be a theater (= an observed public spectacle) for the world (or: to the organized, domination System of culture, religion, economy and politics; or: in the cosmos!), even to messengers (or: for [government] agents; among folks with the Message), and for humans (or: to and among peoples [in general]). Cf 15:31, below; Rom. 8:36; 2 Cor. 4:10.
10. We [are] stupid folks (fools; ones led by nonsense) because of Christ, yet you folks [are] sensible and intelligent ones (ones with understanding) within, and in union with, Christ; we [are] weak ones, yet you people [are] strong ones; you [are] folks in glory and illustrious reputation, yet we [are] dishonored and unvalued ones. Cf 1:26-27, above.
11. Until the present hour (or: Up to now - this very minute), we also continue being hungry, constantly thirsty, habitually naked (= scantily clothed), repeatedly being struck on the ear with a fist (= treated roughly) and are continuously unsettled (= homeless and wanderers).
Here he is contrasting the low position of himself and his associates (the "us" and "we" in these verses) to the Corinthians' boastful, false, self-image. He is being both literal (vss. 9 and 11) and sarcastic in vs. 10, where we see three sets of antitheses linked together. Observe the last statement, "we [are] dishonored and unvalued" - in general, yes, but he is pointedly saying that this is how those in the Corinthian community both treat and regard him and his associates. That should have pricked their consciences. He is reflecting back to them a cruciform life of following the Path of the Master, as contrasted to their supposed intelligence, strength and glorious repute. The Corinthians had been Paul's disciples, but they had forgotten or not taken to heart what Jesus had said:
"A student (or: disciple) is not over or above the teacher, nor [is] a slave over or above his owner. [It is] sufficient and enough for the student (or: disciple) that he can come to be as his teacher, and the slave as his owner" (Mat. 10:24, 25a).
The last clause of vs. 9 gives us a glimpse of Paul's world view, when he speaks of having been
"made to be in a theater for the organized, domination System."
He adds two categories of those who had been observing them "as a public spectacle." The agents/messengers could have been folks of higher rank or function within religions or governments, or other people that were proclaiming the Message of Christ, or they could have been folks like those described in Heb. 12:23,
"ten-thousands (or: myriads) of agents and messengers (people with a/the message)" and "an assembly of an entire people (or: an assembly of all; a universal convocation) and in (or: to) a summoning forth (or: a called-out and gathered community) of firstborn folks having been copied (from-written, as from a pattern; or: enrolled; registered) within [the; or: various] atmospheres (or: heavens)."
Whichever he meant by the "agents/messengers," the other category is "and for humans (or: to and among peoples [in general])," which gives us pause, as to his meaning here. He might have simply meant "everyday people of other cultures," by this second category. We, today, will interpret his meaning according to our own world view and cosmology, but his point was probably not to make a cosmological statement, but to dramatically say that they had been "exposed" to the critical view of the whole world.
Verse 11 sure gives a different picture than of those in "the ministry" in American Christianity today. And for this, we are thankful. But it may accurately picture those who presently serve in developing countries. In 2 Cor. 6:3-13 he gives a similar description of his and his companions' experiences and mode of life, where in vs. 11 he assured them,
"our heart has been broadened and is now enlarged [toward you],"
and then ending the passage by saying to them, "You folks also be broadened and enlarged"
Conzelmann observes Paul presenting to Corinth the witness of preservation within adverse situations as speaking to the "divine power" that was associated with their ministry (ibid p 89 n 43).
12. Further, we continue toiling (laboring) to weariness - habitually active in work with our own hands [note: the Greek culture despised manual labor]. Being constantly insulted (reviled; cursed; verbally abused), we are repeatedly speaking words of goodness (or: blessing); being habitually pursued and persecuted, we are continuously holding up and bearing [it] (or: holding back [i.e., from retaliation]);
13. being incessantly defamed (slandered; plied with ill-rumors; [other MSS: blasphemed]), we regularly called them to our sides (normally entreated and offered assistance). We were made to be as that which comes from cleaning all around (as the off-scouring results; as the filthy refuses) of the world (from the organized System of culture, religion, economy and government) - wiped-off filth and scum of all things and all people - until right now!
Yes, they lived a cruciform life and reflected the image of their Lord. What a contrast for a people that were apparently proud and boastful - and as Paul put it, who "reigned as kings." Paul's life sounds more like those recorded in Heb. 11:
36. But different ones took a trial (or: received a test) of mockings (scoffings), and of scourgings, and further, of bonds and imprisonment (= put in chains and thrown in jail).
37. They were stoned, they were cut in two with a saw, they were put to the proof (tried; tested), they passed away in a slaughter (or: by murder) with sword, they went around (wandered) in sheepskins, in goat skins, continuously being behind (being in want; being in the rear), being constantly pressed (squeezed; afflicted), habitually being held in the bad (being maltreated; having it bad) - [cf 2 Ki. 2:13 (LXX): Elijah's mantle a sheepskin - Denton]
38. of whom the System (the ordered arrangement; the world or culture, secular society, religions and government) was not worthy (was not of equal value) - being continually deceived (led astray; caused to wander) in deserts and mountains and caves and the holes of the earth (or: ground).
In vs. 12 we observe that he and his companions "blessed, and did not curse" (Rom. 12:14). We find here simply statements of facts, not complaints about how bad the world is. Notice in vs. 13 that he says, "We were made to be the off-scouring results, the filthy refuses, of the world." Today we do not hear many messages about the Christian life described in such terms. In vs. 16b, below, Paul tells these folks
"Progressively come to be (or: Keep on becoming) my imitators (ones who copy or mimic me)."
Now the immediate context of that imperative (vs. 16a) refers to him being their paraclete, but his function as that for them is certainly not far from his descriptions (vss. 12-13) of all that they had gone through.
14. I am not continuing to write these things [to be] constantly shaming you folks (or: turning you back within yourselves), but to the contrary, as my beloved children (accepted born-ones to whom I urge for reunion), I am progressively placing things in your minds.
His admonitions to them were "placing into their minds" the proper world view for a Christ follower: to take up their crosses and follow the Life that Jesus lives; to walk (live their lives) the Way (Path) that Jesus walks. They, too, are called to be co-laborers with Christ (3:9, above). Jesus is still walking out His reality (Truth), both within and among them. Paul had just described what this might look like for them (vss. 10-13, above). He is treating them in the manner that a good parent brings correction to his or her children. Paul was "looking unto Jesus" (Heb. 12:2a) as the Pattern and Leader on the Path - and he was following Him in that way (as noted in Heb. 12:2b). And the reason for
"turning [our] eyes away from other things and fixing them (or: looking away) into Jesus" (2a)
is the same reason that Paul had rehearsed his own life to them:
"to the end that you may not tire with exertion (or: labor to weariness), being continuously dissolved (be enfeebled and exhausted; caused to fall apart) in your inner selves (or: by your souls; = in your lives)" (Heb. 12:3b).
The next verses in Heb. 12 go into more details about the topic of Paul's present admonitions to those in Corinth, so let us review them:
5. And further, you have entirely forgotten (or: been oblivious of) the calling-near (the relief, aid, comfort and encouragement) which keeps on speaking-through (discoursing; reasoning through and conversing; laying out the issue in every direction) to you folks, as to sons: "My son, do not be neglecting (giving little care to) the Lord's discipline (education; child-training), neither be exhausted (dissolved; = fall apart) while being continually scrutinized or convicted (exposed and put to the test; or: reproved) by (or: under) Him,
6. for whom the Lord [= Yahweh] is loving (urging toward reunion and acceptance), He is continuously and progressively educating (or: disciplining; child-training), and He is periodically scourging every son whom He is taking alongside with His hands (accepting; receiving)." [Prov. 3:11-12; cf Job 5:17; Ps. 94:12; Phil. 1:29]
7. [So] be constantly enduring (or: You folks are continuing to remain supportively under) with a view to education, discipline and child-training: as to sons is God Himself continuously bringing [it] to you. For who is a son (or: what son is there) whom a father is not disciplining, educating and training? [cf Jas. 1:12; Rev. 3:19]
8. But if you are without education, discipline and training, of which all have become partakers (common participants; partners), accordingly you are really illegitimates (= rabbinic term mamzer: child of a prohibited marriage [Lev. 18], or of uncertain fatherhood) and not sons.
The phrase, "as my beloved children," should not be taken as a simile, but as a spiritual reality which he explains in the next verse. This phrase should be interpreted in the sense of "since you ARE my beloved children." Just as a father teaches his children (as noted in the passage from Heb. 12, just cited), Paul was
"progressively placing things in [their] minds"
- the literal meaning of the Greek word, noutheteo (from nous + tithemi) which is often rendered as "warn" (KJV; Nyland) or "admonish." Yes, those extended meanings apply, but Paul was actually planting seeds (placing [Gr.: tithemi] the Logos) in their minds (nous). This calls to mind his words to the Roman community,
"be progressively transformed (transfigured; changed in form and semblance) by the renewing (or: in the renewal; for the making-back-up-new again) of your mind" (Rom. 12:2).
15. For should you folks proceed to have a vast multitude (a myriad; ten thousand) of child-escorts and guardians within Christ (or: tutors or educators in an Anointing), in contrast [you do] not [have] many fathers (or: parents), because in one moment I myself fathered (gave birth to; generated) you people within and in union with Christ Jesus - through means of the message of abundant wellness (the news of fortunate, ideal ease and goodness).
God was the Father of Jesus; Jesus became a father to Paul; now Paul functions as a father to the communities he founded, in Christ. Here we may have a preview of a similar generational/family metaphor that he presents in 11:3, below:
"the Christ is (or: exists being) the Source (or: Head) of every adult male (or: the Anointing is the head of every husband); in turn the adult male [was] a source of woman (or: the husband [is] a head of a wife); and yet God [is the] Source of the Christ (or: [is] Head of the Anointed One)!"
But, returning to the "father" metaphor, here, let us consider more from Heb. 12:
10. ... upon this [instruction, arrangement and alignment] He is continuously bringing [things; situations] together (progressively collecting unto profitability) - unto this: to mutually partake of His set-apartness (or: to take by the hands together, share and mutually receive from the holiness and sacredness which is Him).
11. Now on the one hand, all discipline (instruction; child-training; education) with a view to (or: face to face with) what is presently at hand, does not at the time seem to be joyous or fun, but to the contrary [is] painful and full of sorrow and grief; however afterwards (or: subsequently), to, for, in and by those having been gymnastically trained (exercised without clothing; = working-out while stripped of self-works) through it, it is constantly and [cf Jas. 3:18] progressively yielding fruit which has the character and qualities of peace and harmony - which equates to fair and equitable dealings in rightwised relationships which are in line with the Way pointed out, and justice (also: = from covenant inclusion and participation).
Paul "fathered" them,
"through means of the message of abundant wellness (the news of fortunate, ideal ease and goodness)."
This, of course, took place "within and in union with Christ Jesus." This phrase is a compact description of the Gospel, the new covenant and the new creation. Apart from Him, we can do nothing (Jn. 15:5b)! Union, and dwelling "within" says it all. But as then, so now: not many fathers (or: parents); not many who will follow through on the job of "parenting." And as the next verse admonishes us, let us progressively mimic Paul in this function, as well.
Jonathan
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