Disregarding Diapproval for Christ's Sake (Sun. June 30)

The Word of the Day is "sake."  Which of these would we choose: worldly wisdom, strength, honor, and riches or their opposite: foolishness, weakness, dishonor, and poverty? Today, in our reading of 1 Corinthians 4:9-16, Paul speaks about the hardships that he and his colleagues are enduring for the sake of Christ. He contrasts these adversities with the boasting of the Corinthians who think that that they are wise, rich, and honored. The apostle's defense of his ministry puts a question before us. We can be wise or fools, strong or weak, distinguished or dishonored, rich or "hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, beaten, and homeless" (vs. 11).

Blessed Are the Reviled and Persecuted For Christ's Sake

We could choose the good things that the Corinthians said they possessed. But consider the Word of the Lord Jesus:  "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake" (Matthew 5:11). If we would choose to live for the sake of Christ as the apostles and saints did, and if we would live for Christ and the Kingdom as Paul and the martyrs and confessors did, then we would choose the second option.

The world despises the way of life that Paul describes. He states, "We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now"1 Cor. 4:13   The term "offscouring" is unusual, but it refers to what is scraped off and means the leftovers that are thrown away (Strong's #4027. The metaphor is astonishing. Paul is saying that the entire world regards him and his colleagues as trash and scum. But remember that the Lord was crucified outside the city on Golgotha, "the place of the skull," where criminals were executed. The Gospel of John says that the grisly place was "near the city"  where passersby could read the inscription on the cross, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" (John 19"19-20). On that garbage heap, the Lord endured incredible public shame and degradation for our sake. But those who follow Him should not be surprised when they are also treated shamefully. When they suffer disgrace and persecution, they should remember that the Lord promised,  "When you are despised "for my sake," then "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven…" (Matthew 5:12 OSB).

Paul Urges "Imitate Me!"

In our reading, Paul applies the theme of faithfulness in humiliation to his congregation in Corinth and all who hear his teaching. He says, "Imitate me" as their father in the faith. Later in this letter, the apostle says, "Imitate me as I also imitate Christ" (1 Cor 11:1).

This teaching means that if we worship Christ and honor Paul and the martyrs, we should bear whatever disapproval and contempt we might face as disciples. Yet, in a larger sense, we should imitate Paul's entire manner of living in the world. Paul is not concerned about what others think of him. He only wants to serve Christ and to be the shepherd of his flock. Likewise, through all the challenges of life, we should follow his advice: "… whatever you do, do all for the glory of God" (vs. 10:31). We should not live and work for our glory, advantage, or comfort. And we should turn any adverse treatment into a positive opportunity, for witness as Paul said,  "Being reviled we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat" (vs.12).

For Reflection

There are great blessings in the way of life that Paul recommends. We do not have to worry about the opinions of others. And we can put everything we are and do in the hands of Christ, who directs our lives for good. Moreover, there is spiritual power in this approach to those who oppose or ridicule us. We turn hatred, insult, and offense around by blessing those who curse us (Romans 12:14). We transform their malice into good as St. Paul says, "Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21).