The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Corinthians 4:10-14, “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor.

11 To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless;

12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;

13 when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.”

Did you ever meet someone who thought he was so smart that he could challenge anyone, even one who is noted for his multiple contributions to his own intellectual discipline? Some people do actually become more knowledgeable than their teachers; but if they are humble, they will always admit that it was the teacher, or someone else, who was actually responsible for their success.

These Corinthians knew nothing about Jesus, until the Apostle Paul shared the Gospel with them. Now, in his absence, they are acting as if they know more. Paul loves them, but he finds that the best current instruction he can offer is to address them ironically. (Irony, you will recall, is saying something that is the opposite of what is intended.)

Paul knows that he and his Christian companions (Timothy, Luke, et al) were responsible for these Corinthians being converted from paganism to faith in Jesus Christ. Yet, the Corinthians are now behaving as if they know more than Paul, their teacher. So, Paul resorts to irony (maybe even sarcasm) when he says, “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor…”

Then, after scolding them for their spiritual immaturity, he concludes by saying, “I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.” The lesson here is that we should never think too highly of ourselves. Why? Because we’re not responsible for anything that is worthwhile. All the good things, all intelligence, comes from God. If God has blessed you with a good mind, don’t act like you know everything. Give Him the glory! Men and women who are truly great are humble. They know their limitations. And those who don’t, God scolds and punishes them until they do! We have everything to gain by glorifying Jesus Christ! We have everything to lose by not doing so. Think about it! God bless you!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”