1 Corinthians 4:18-21 (NIV)
Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?
After expressing his genuine love and concern for those who are being pulled one way or another by the factions in the Church, Paul takes a much stronger tone in addressing those who are causing the confusion and division in the first place. These leaders are obviously the ones who have been trying to build monuments to themselves on the foundation of Jesus which Paul had laid in the beginning.
Paul addresses these men directly, describing them as arrogant boasters who feel secure in their opinion that, while Paul might write strong words in his letters, he’s not going to come back to Corinth to actually put down this rebellion. But Paul has a different plan, and he is putting these dividers on notice. He does indeed plan on being in Corinth very soon, and he is sending Timothy in the meantime.
Paul points out that these spurious leaders talk big, but they have no spiritual power, because they are operating outside of God’s will, and have therefore cut themselves off from His power. Paul, on the other hand, is right in the center of God’s will, and so all His power works in him and flows through him, enabling healings as well as giving him divine wisdom. So, if it comes down to a challenge of who really has the spiritual power that validates their message, Paul is going to win hands down!
But Paul doesn’t want to have to come into town with his spiritual guns blazing. He would much rather come in love, and with a gentle spirit to help the Corinthians continue to grow. If they choose to police themselves and remove the dividers from positions of authority, with or without Timothy’s help, then when Paul comes, he can come as the gentle teacher and spiritual father as he prefers. But, if they are unwilling or unable to get things back to a stable place where Paul can teach them next steps, then he will have to clean things up himself, which he is absolutely willing to do, but which is not his first choice.
The decision is ultimately up to the Corinthians.
Father, Paul was ever mindful of the millions of souls around the world who passed into a godless eternity every day. And in those places where the Church was divided and non-functioning, nothing was being done to affectively reach the people in that area with the lifesaving gospel. So, he took dysfunction very seriously, and took rapid (and sometimes drastic) steps to get the Church back on track. Help us, Lord, to take a good hard look at ourselves today as Your people, Your Church. Help us to see if we really have power, and not just programs; if we really have evangelistic passion, and not just excitement. And if we find ourselves lacking in any way, help us turn to You, to surrender and to receive more of what You have for us, so that we can get ourselves where You want us to be. Amen.