Big Idea: When the Christian faith is reduced to a mere complement to cultural norms, churches come to affirm the very things they should despise and despise the very things they should affirm.

Understanding the Text

First Corinthians 4:6–13 ends Paul’s response to the deeper and broader issues in the report coming from Chloe’s household. Paul brings the tension between Corinthian ideals and true Christian ideals into their sharpest contrast yet by pointing to his own situation. Everything about Paul, both his appearance and his behavior, exposes the incongruity of worldly ideals with the Christian faith.

Interpretive Insights

4:6  Now, brothers and sisters. Paul indicates he is ready to summarize his teaching by his use of the inclusive adelphoi (“brothers and sisters”). He is speakin…