Learning what matters

“But this, brethren, I have [als] Figure of speech applied to myself and Apollos for your sake, so that you may learn from us, not [auf Dinge] to reason, [die] go beyond [what is] written, so that you are not inflated, [also k]one for one [Lehrer] against the other [Lehrer].”
1Cor 4,6 KNT

Do not dwell on things beyond what is written. This is Paul’s advice to the Corinthians. The church in Corinth was to learn from his example what is important. Read in context, we get valuable clues here about the way we should interact with the Bible and with each other. The statement fits the situation of the Corinthians. If we understand the situation in which the church in Corinth found itself, then Paul’s statement also gains weight and clarity.

What exactly does Paul mean by this sentence? The statement is not an opening sentence of the letter, but follows in the 4th chapter. So we read from the beginning of the letter there and learn all kinds of things about the church in Corinth. In chapter 1, the apostle describes the situation in Corinth with the following words:

“I speak to you now, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say the same thing and that there be no divisions among you; rather, be conformed to the same mind and to the same opinion! It has been made clear to me by members of Chloe’s household about you, my brothers, that there is strife among you. I mean this, that each of you testifies differently: I stand by Paul! But I to Apollos! Me to Cephas! But I to Christ! Then, has the Christ been divided? It was not Paul who was crucified for you!”
1Cor 1,10-13

This section sets the theme. There were tangible problems in Corinth: Strife, divisions and sectarianism.

Sectarianism, divisions and strife

Everyone is riding their own hobby horses in Corinth. This is contrary to the gospel. Paul’s preaching was precisely not in word-wisdom, lest the cross of Christ become contentless (1 Cor. 1:17). Word wisdom literally means “wisdom of the word”. Perhaps this concerned a knowledge (gnosis) or wisdom such as the Greeks loved (1 Cor. 1:22). A wordiness and a focus on words (rather than the proclamation of Christ and the as crucified) distracts from the gospel.

Paul comes at it from a completely different angle. It assumes God’s power and His action in Christ. All human wisdom is thereby put to shame (1Cor 1,27), because God does not orientate Himself on human wisdom, but only on Himself. God works to that end in His plan, that no one at all may boast before His eyes (1 Cor. 1:29). One could say here: This is typical again! God is God, and no one is like Him. He does what He wants! Amazing, but this is fully enough: “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who was made for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that it may be as it is written: Let him who boasts boast in the Lord” (1 Cor. 1:30-31).

In chapter 2, Paul puts one more on top of it. Of himself he says: “I did not come when I came to you, brethren, with superiority of word or wisdom, to preach to you the testimony of God …” (1Cor 2:1-4). We should not base our faith in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God (1 Cor. 2:5). That is probably the best concern we can have for each other as well. The point here (in Corinthians, in our churches and congregations, in home groups, in our faith life) is not that we follow certain specific teachings, teachers, currents, dogmas, or views. More importantly, we must learn to boast in the Lord and rely on God’s strength.

God’s wisdom and spiritual words

We have the “Receiving spirit from God, that we may know what is granted us of God by grace, which we also utter, not with words such as human wisdom teaches, but with such as the Spirit teaches us, explaining spiritual things with appropriate spiritual words” (1 Cor. 2:12-13). Paul focuses here more and more and very clearly mentions “words” again and again, here also “appropriate spiritual words”. I now assume that this also includes Paul’s preaching, as he himself already pointed out shortly before (1Cor 2,1).

But these “appropriate spiritual words” cannot be understood by a soul (feeling) oriented person. They are foolishness to him (1Cor 2,14). Therefore, Paul could not speak to the Corinthians “as to spiritually minded … as to babes in Christ” (1 Cor. 3:1). They were carnally minded, as is evident from their quarrels (compare 1Cor 11,12 with 1Cor 3,3-4).

So, now it’s getting exciting.

Paul has talked about the ills up to this point and explained how it would be quite different from the gospel. Now he comes to talk about how the Corinthians themselves can contribute something to the improvement. He writes:

“According to the grace given to me by God, I, as a wise master craftsman, lay the foundation, but another builds on it. But let each one take care how he builds on it!” (1Cor 3,10). Christ is the foundation. That’s what we’re building on. We should pay attention to the way in which we continue to build on it. This is about “the nature of each work” (1Cor 3:13).

At the end of chapter 3, Paul again warns against human wisdom (1Cor 3:18-23). In chapter 4, Paul first says that he is steward of the mysteries of God. There it is about the gospel that he preaches. This gospel speaks of “spiritual [Dingen] with appropriate spiritual [Worten]” (1Cor 2:13). It is always about God’s wisdom and God’s power – through Christ. Now this is in sharp contrast to the behavior of the Corinthians, their strife, divisions and sectarianism.

Do not think beyond what is written

Finally, we come to the central verse of this reflection. The now reads like a summary of sorts:

“… So that you may learn from us not to think on things beyond what is written, so that you may not be puffed up, that is, no one for one [Lehrer] against the other [Lehrer]”
1Cor 4,6

Several times now the apostle has mentioned the grievances in Corinth, the strife and divisions. Two things face each other:

1. In the church at Corinth: strife, divisions, sectarianism
2. Gospel of Paul: “the [geistlichen] things that are written.”

Specific to the context of Corinthians is the contrast between human wisdom (sought by the Corinthians) – with all its carnal mindedness, sectarianism and strife – and the message of Christ explained by Paul with appropriate spiritual words. “What is written” teaches no self-righteousness, no strife, no divisions. The Gospel points to God and His Christ. It has nothing to do with eloquence or human opinions. Therefore, the Corinthians were to learn from the example of Paul and Apollos how to live out the gospel in humility, service, and trust in God alone.

Do not straighten, do not be inflated

Divisiveness and sectarianism can only exist when others are arrogantly judged. Thus it is that Paul says, “Judge nothing, therefore!” (1Cor 4,5) and “so that you will not be puffed up” (1Cor 4,6). So Paul does not take part in the quarrels and disputes of the church, nor in its arrogance. It only shows the right attitude. He leaves all points of contention unanswered:

“Judge nothing, therefore, before the due time, until the Lord comes, who will bring to light even the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the heart. Then praise from God will come to everyone”.
1Cor 4,5

So the points of contention will one day be brought to light by the Lord, but then together with the counsels of the hearts. “Then praise from God will be given to everyone ” – an astonishingly positive statement for a community characterized by strife. Paul thus opens the richness of grace also for living together. We should align ourselves with that. Paul impressively describes in the further course of the chapter how this becomes noticeable.

Stay with the word

Once we understand the context of the church in Corinth, the text can be used even further as a guide. “Do not reason beyond what is written” is a kind of basic rule for a healthy understanding of the Bible. In doing so, the reader tries to let the Bible speak for itself and not interpret thoughts into the text that are not there.

3 Tips for Bible Reading:

1. Distinguish between what is written in the Bible and what comes from another source.
2. Ask what the text means in context and to the readers at the time
3. Does the interpretation take into account the basic text?

With only three words as a guide (“discernment,” “context,” and “basic text”), the Bible can be efficiently tested for what it says. The same keywords, using the same method, are also suitable for comparing different teachings. Which teaching stays closest to the word? Who best explains the text in its own context? Is there any direction, or anyone, who consistently examines and refers to the basic text? Is there a clear distinction in interpretation between thoughts from the Bible (reasoned) and from other sources (discerned)?

Have a possibility of comparison

Staying close to the word means having an effective and efficient means of comparison. It is easier to evaluate thoughts, teachings and opinions. The calibration point is always the Bible. This is an objective measure because it is a completed document. The reference to it is not yet an interpretation, but only enables an interpretation “on the basis of the Bible”. One’s own thoughts about the Bible can be tested, but so can other doctrines. The procedure is always the same.

The spiritual attitude to life

The references from Corinthians create a healthy starting point. Nevertheless, they do not answer detailed questions about teaching. What is probably decisive is that Paul does not enter into a discussion of doctrinal propositions here, but points to something quite different. It is not simply a matter of right or wrong, but of something much better:

“I speak to you now, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all testify to thesame thing, and that there be no divisions among you; rather, be conformed to the same mind and to the same opinion!”
1Cor 1:10

Paul wants the Corinthians to “all testify to the same thing” and for there to be “no divisions.” These are probably two sides of the same coin. To say the same does not mean that all must be doctrinally the same. Rather, it is a matter of not allowing divisions. So he deepens this with the following statement: “rather let yourselves be conformed to the same mind and to the same opinion!”. Again, we are talking about two sides of the same coin. “The same opinion” is the same as “the same sense.” In reference to the church and the confused situation in Corinth, Paul writes about the attitude we should take. We should all be clearly focused on Christ. For this is what we should all state, and this is the sense and opinion we should all share – however different our doctrinal views may be.

Accordingly, it is not a question of doctrinal conformity in the congregation, but of a spiritual attitude to life. We promote this when we reflect on where our wealth comes from and Who sustains us:

“But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, as also unto righteousness, sanctification, and redemption: that it might be so, as it is written: Let him who boasts boast in the Lord!”
1Cor 1,30-31

Suggestions for conversation

• Do you know the situation of the church in Corinth – in comparison – from your own experience?
• Has anyone ever “beat you over the head with Bible texts”? How was that?
• Have you ever been ostracized for not thinking “in line”?
• Have you ever condemned others for not thinking “along the lines”?
• In the context of this post, describe what the words “safety” and “belonging” mean to you.
• What kind of culture does Paul want to stimulate in Corinth?
• What kind of culture do you want to inspire in your community?
• What is the benefit of trying “not to think beyond what is written”?