I read this chapter earlier this evening and was struck by a few things. Before I share the specifics, however, let me first explain the broad strokes of the chapter. The church at Corinth was divided over which leader one esteemed over the other. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses many weaknesses and questions in the church, including this division. His address on the problem actually begins in Ch. 3 and continues into Ch. 4. Paul writes at the opening of 4 how to regard the apostles--as "servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God" (v. 1). Such a regard is a far cry from setting them up on a pedestal. He goes on to warn about judging, in the sense of judging trustworthiness, for example (see v. 2), and even further lowers the bar by saying the apostles are the least of all the saints:
For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. (vv. 9-13)
Paul says, in effect, "As low as you can go, we're there." In considering this (and sort of as an aside), I'm not surprised that people would regard Paul, Apollos, and the rest as fools. They are homeless, hungry, reviled, etc., for what? For the sake of the gospel! They are stewards of it. God has entrusted it to them. To unbelievers, who see the gospel as ridiculous, the bearers of the gospel will certainly look ridiculous as well. Why go hungry for a crazy story? Paul says they are servants of Christ. They are slaves. How often do we put great leaders and passionate preachers on a pedestal, favoring one over another? Paul says also in the chapter that he and Apollos work together and follow their own teaching in order to set an example for the Corinthians, to prevent the Corinthians from doing beyond what is written, in becoming arrogant in judgments. [Aside ended]
Notice Paul's language at the beginning of these verses. He says in v. 9, "For I think God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death...." He says something similar but meant more literally in 2 Cor. 1:9 when he writes of his suffering in Asia: "Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead." Those whom God intends to use mightily he calls to much sacrifice and suffering. It is for their good in that they are forced to rely on God and cultivate humility, and, of course, God receives increasing glory through them.
Without such good in mind, it is easy to read Paul's account of their suffering in 1 Cor. 4 and feel sorry for them, but Paul explicitly explains that he intends to use their weaknesses to admonish the Corinthians. He is boasting in his weakness. He is saying, "We experience all these things--hunger, homelessness, mockery, etc.--to make Christ look great! So don't boast about us in what great leaders we are, but do as we do, and magnify the Lord by boasting in your weakness. Be humble, and recognize that we are only servants." So he sends them Timothy. Paul is their spiritual father, and he sends his child Timothy, their brother, to stand in Paul's stead as a model for them, that they would not forget these things. We see in this chapter that Paul is ready and willing to do all he can, in accordance with God's will, to serve these people. He loves them. At a cost, he wants to see them united and knowing the joy he knows as Christ slave, and he wants them to magnify Christ with him.
