Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Earlier in this same epistle (1 Corinthians 1:10-17), Paul had rebuked the members of the church at Corinth for dividing themselves up into competing factions on the basis of which Christian teacher each member of the congregation considered himself a follower of -- even going so far as to regard Christ Himself as the equivalent of just another teacher, rather than as the unique Son of God and the Savior of them all. 

Paul stressed that it was Christ alone Who had been crucified for them; in Whose name they had been baptized; and Who was superior to any teacher who was merely human.

Paul then went on (in the passage cited in the question) to further emphasize that it was of little importance to him as to how other people or human institutions would view or judge him, or even how he might judge himself -- although, as he said in the next verse (1 Corinthians 4:4), his own conscience was clear. The only thing that mattered to him was how God would judge him and his efforts as an apostle.

This is the same attitude that Christians today should adopt, especially when confronted with opposition, ridicule, exclusion, or persecution as a result of their faith. Our primary focus at all times should be with God's approval of our discipleship, rather than with the opinions of others toward us, or even our own opinion of ourselves.

September 15 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report