Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
To be puffed up is to be filled with pride and self-conceit, a haughty spirit, lacking in humility and graciousness. It describes an inflated ego and a superiority complex. It is a prideful contempt of others and an air of self-importance that puts down others to elevate oneself. The character of biblical love is without such self-exaltation or arrogance but is in fact filled with lowliness.
The Apostle Paul sent Timothy to support the work of the gospel in Corinth because he was faithful in the Lord. Timothy was also sent to Philippi – Philippians 2:19-22 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. 22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. He was a convert in the Apostle Paul’s ministry.
The Apostle Paul exhorts them to follow him since he is their spiritual father. He sets for them an example and he entreats them to listen to his admonitions. He has explained to them not to undermine the unity in Christ’s church by forming factions. He writes not to shame them nor to cause them to feel uncomfortable but as lovingly he encourages to follow his leadership.
The Apostle Paul spoke with a taint of sadness. Like the natural father whose grown up children who may have benefited in their lifetime from the help and nurture of others who may be friends or close relatives. But the father is the one who has imparted life to them. And the Apostle Paul painstakingly took time over a period of year and six months to teach them the doctrines of life. Having been blessed, it seemed they have forgotten their father.
The Apostle Paul addressed the church in Corinth as his beloved sons. It was a term of endearment, a loving entreaty, giving his care for their welfare. He understood the tender care of a loving father in his Lord and he expresses that love likewise to his spiritual children. His rebuke them but warning them that they may have a correct perspective of their Christian stewardship. Hendricksen said well, “He wants the Corinthians to listen to him for their own benefit.” He seeks in them a humble, patient and teachable heart their good.
This word “filth” means “dirt, garbage, rubbish”. The Greek word describes “the most abject and despicable men”. This was how the apostles were treated by those whom they sought to win for Christ and others who opposed their good work.
The apostles were maligned, wrongly accused, framed and suffer shame and yet they continued to bear it and were willing to suffer it. God was with them. They understood the gospel mission. They were willing to go through all suffering that the gospel might be advanced.
The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Philippians while he was in prison in Rome. He wrote, Philippians 1:12-14 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. He requested the church in Philippi to support him in prayer that God’s grace may abide and strengthen him not to give up but to persevere amidst imprisonment.
The apostles suffered reproach, scorned, being criticised in an abusive and angrily insulting manner for the gospel’s sake. Yet, retaliated not. This was Christ’ lot on earth. Isaiah’s prophecised of the fierce persecution that came against Jesus in Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. The disciples of Christ followed in His footsteps of suffering. Like Christ, the apostles did not fight back but suffered wrong.
When the Apostle Paul first came to Corinth, he worked as a tent-maker for his subsistence and preached in the synagogue on the Sabbath.
Luke wrote in Acts 18:1-4 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
The Apostle Paul speaks concerning the challenge of the gospel work whereby in his travelling and also his ministering, he experiences both hunger and thirst for the gospel’s sake. He is not writing in self-pity but rather he is highlighting the work of the gospel is hard work, self-sacrificial work. It has to roll up his sleeves and be about the Lord’s business in the nurture and care of God’s flock.