Summary - 1 Corinthians 4:6-13

Then and Now:
Wright's discussion ends by questioning Paul's confrontation with the attitudes of Christians in western culture. This passage provides conscience pricks.
A. Paul keeps on explaining his purpose. The Corinthians should not indulge in pride concerning favorite teachers. (Today's believers compare churches and put down or extol one over another.)
B. Paul reviews and discounts other points of pride. Workers differ in talents because of God's creation design. The Corinthians received and are rich in the spirit, but act as if they didn't and weren't. They are already performing last day judgements. Paul shakes their complacency by saying he wishes they and he were already reigning in heaven.
C. Paul shames them by listing and evoking comparisons to his and Apollos' status on earth. Their many sufferings do not equal, but can correlate to those of Christ. That's why the apostles will probably show up in heaven last. Their foolishiness confounds the world. The acts of the Corinthians do not.
D. Corinthians (and today's believers) need to realize that in the world, Jesus' followers stand at the end of the line (Wright, p. 48). Jesus is our only king, and his wisdom, treasure-chest jewels, and royalty are not recognized here. Corinthians needed to step back, remember that, and behave accordingly. So do we. The crucified Messiah expects love and forgivess, mercy and grace.