1 Corinthians 4:1-6:20 Argument Paper

Servants 4:1-21

The Corinthian church contained arrogant individuals, some of whom desired to judge others and themselves too quickly. Paul writes that he is unqualified to judge his own motives, rather he leaves this judgment to Christ at the end. He instructs them of the significance of proving oneself trustworthy. Paul humbly avoids singling out individuals in this chapter; instead he addresses the group as a whole. Furthermore, he encourages their obedience to the Word of God, by avoiding trying to "exceed what is written." Considering Paul often uses examples of athletes, he effectively states foolishness exists in changing your workouts—God's Word—based on suggestions from yourself, your teammates and those in the stands—human reasoning, doctrine and philosophy. In doing so, one humbles themselves as "fools for Christ."


The Greeks view of humility contrasted with Paul's message, as they considered humility as a trait for slaves, and the weak—un-begotten for great men. Consequently, Paul denounces the arrogant three times in this chapter. Paul knows the physical and emotional challenges—including its countering secular culture—required to follow Christ, he invites the Corinthians to follow in his example of suffering through these examples. The suffering results as a product of living as Paul, for Christ. Because he understands the challenges, he effectively says, "Join me, do as I do. I am walking with you." Understanding that rebuke risks driving people away, Paul completes this topic by rhetorically inquiring of their preferred method of his approaching them whether with "a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness".

Immoral Believers 5:1-13

Corinth's immorality exceeds imagination with arrogant Christians eagerly participating—one sleeps with his step-mother. Paul says that he—in spirit—handed this man over to Satan in order to preserve his salvation. The local church has authority to discipline, yet lacks the apostolic authority to hand immoral Christians over to Satan. However, the local church, because of its arrogance, failed to instigate any previous discipline on this man. Paul instructs the church of their responsibility of disciplining its own. Paul boldly instructs other church members to disassociate with the church's immoral members. The avoidance results from love derived discipline, desiring they return to representing God in His image. Paul acknowledges avoidance of the immoral outside the church would omit sharing the gospel to the lost. The Corinthian Christians must avoid succumbing to the immoral pre-Christians practices, while directing the immoral to the Lord's pottery barn. God will judge the non-believers.

Lawsuits and Immorality among Believers 6:1-20

Corinthians, church members too, abundantly enjoyed lawsuits, and legal litigations. Paul sought to halt this practice of placing Christians at the judgment of the wicked. He prioritized legal action with fellow Christians. First, avoid lawsuits in secular legal system. How can the wicked rightly judge the righteous as they judge with human wisdom instead of spiritual wisdom? Second, if you must engage in legal action, submit to the judgment of believers in the church. Third, avoid lawsuits completely. Paul reminds them that they will judge angels, therefore how can the ungodly rightly judge their matters.


The Corinthians argue that the church lacks the court's legal expertise because they base their argument on faith in human philosophy over God's wisdom found in the church. Their eagerness for lawsuits arises from their patience in enduring injuries. Fault (v.6) comes from a Greek word that "signifies a weakness of mind." The proper response exists in being patient with one another to righteously resolve disputes. Despicably, their disputes continued into the atrocity of cheating on one another. Paul continues his condemnation of sexual immorality, reminding them that these practices oppose God's Kingdom. He explains they, as Christians, are set apart and declared righteous in Christ, by the Spirit. Consequently, these sins are washed from their souls for eternal salvation. However, this excludes choosing to continue in these practices of non-believers.


Paul tells them that permissible and profitable lack automatic symbiosis. Paul charges them to weigh the consequences of their actions. The hedonists believed physical sins lacked any effects on one's spiritual life. Because of their immoral life, Paul explains that food serves simply as fuel for the body, while immorality affects one's eternal body, mind and soul belonging to the Lord. If the body represented only the physical, then everyone should strive for only physical perfection. Rather the body includes nerves, nerve endings, neurons, neurotransmitters which affect thoughts and emotions. Thoughts and emotions affect one's spiritual journey with the Lord. Similarly, one's emotional and spiritual health affects their physical health. Paul probably lacks cognizance of these intertwining facts, however the Holy Spirit writing through Paul possesses all knowledge and understanding.


The danger of immorality on one's relationship with God results in Paul writing to "Flee," as opposed to avoid or "be careful." Flee amplifies immorality's magnetism—it forcefully draws and retains the body, mind and soul. Paul concludes in telling the Corinthian church that they are bought with a price, a price beyond measurement. This serves to inform them of their significance in God's eyes, thus the significance and resulting blessings of their proper response in living by the Spirit's guidance. This concludes the section of Paul's response to issues reported by Chloe's household. He now begins answering questions the Corinthians sent to him.
(Lowery 1983, 513)
² 1 Cor. 4:21
³ (D. S. Toussaint 2012, Class Notes)
⁴ (Pringle n.d., 193)
⁵ Rom. 9:21
⁶ (Pringle n.d., 204)
⁷ (Getz 2011, 1574)
⁸ (D. S. Toussaint 2012, Class Notes)
⁹ (Radmacher, Allen and House 1999, 1469)
¹⁰ (Mathias 2003, 1-219), (Pert 1999)
¹¹ (Radmacher, Allen and House 1999, 1469-1471)