Title Ten Thousand Masters and Spiritual Fathers
Contents
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11. My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline, and do not hate his rebuke.
12. For the LORD chastens those he loves, just as a father chastises a son in whom he pleases.
13. Blessed are those who find wisdom and those who find understanding.
14. For wisdom is better than silver, and its profit better than gold.
15. Wisdom is more precious than pearls, and nothing you desire cannot compare to it.
16. Longevity is in his right hand, and wealth and honor in his left hand.
17. His ways are pleasant, and all his shortcuts are peace.
18. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who find it. Blessed is the one who has wisdom.
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14. I am not writing this to shame you, but to exhort you as my beloved children.
15. In Christ there are ten thousand teachers, but not many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I begotten you through the gospel.
16. Therefore I urge you to become imitators of me.
17. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my works in Christ Jesus, of what I teach in every church.
18. Some have become proud of themselves, as though I would not come to you.
19. I will come to you quickly, if the Lord permits, to find out not the words of the proud, but their power.
20. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
21. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and meekness of heart?
Content
Title: Ten Thousand Masters and Spiritual Fathers
Text: Proverbs 3:11-18, 1 Corinthians 4:14-21
Meditating on “In Christ there are ten thousand teachers, but not many fathers” (1 Corinthians 4:15a), we draw the true reality of the Corinthians. The problem of sectarianism in the church in Corinth comes to mind (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). There are many teachers in the school, but it is a pity that there are no true teachers. Today's New Testament text (1 Corinthians 4:14-21) says that the problem of the church in Corinth at that time was that there were many teachers but few spiritual fathers. The Greek word for 'teacher', 'paa dagogos', is not in the same context as the military unity in the East. It has also been translated as ‘study teacher’ (Galatians 3:24) in the meaning of ‘teacher’. It is not an attitude that takes responsibility for the character and future of the disciple. Among the necessary help, it means a grown-up who gives a little help. In Jesus' words, it makes us think of the role of a worker or a hired laborer, not a good shepherd (John 10:12).
“In Christ” reminds us of the relationships we encounter in the providence of God (Proverbs 16:4). ‘Ten thousand masters’ refers to the easy encounters that appear like this. The father of ‘There are not many fathers’ is someone who can give you all the help you need. It is a title with unlimited responsibility. It is because there is always one father, and there are more teachers (phae dagogos) than necessary. Because of these teachers' puns, the identity of the church was in jeopardy, and divisions and conflicts continued. Now mention is made of the spiritual fathers of the Corinthians. “Because I have begotten you through the gospel in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 4:15b). He went through many hardships and preached the gospel to the Corinthians (Acts 18:1-18; 1 Corinthians 4:10-13). And they do everything they can for their spiritual maturity. It is the toil of endless love (Galatians 4:19).
The life of a spiritual father is that he does not hesitate to do all the hard work for his children. There are characteristics of the teachers in question. The words of the proud (1 Corinthians 4:19). The importance of language in the life of faith cannot be underestimated. But “the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power” (1 Corinthians 4:20). The ‘Kingdom of God’ contains both a future dimension and a present dimension. The future dimension is the future kingdom that will come through the Second Coming of Jesus. The present dimension is achieved through the changes in the hearts and lives of regenerated saints. “Kingdom of God” in today’s New Testament text is the latter meaning and refers to the present kingdom of God. Therefore, ‘ability’ is God’s hand that makes these concrete changes in life. The specific content of that power is in the likeness of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1).
That resemblance is reflected in the character of each Christian (Romans 8:29). 1) The hearts of the saints are separated (Revelation 3:20). 2) The body of the saints are distinguished (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19). 3) The heart and body of the saints (the field of life, Romans 12:1) become the field of fulfilling the will of the holy God (Matthew 6:9-10). For this, there is also the discipline of God's love (Proverbs 3:11-18; Hebrews 12:5-13). This is because there is reproof in the work of the Holy Spirit, the Triune God (John 16:8). Therefore, there are fruits of life that can be borne by walking according to the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16; 22-23). Spiritual fathers are needed for the changed lives of the saints. It is because ‘heaven of the heart’, ‘heaven of the family’ and ‘heaven of the church’ are achieved through their hard work. People who become like Christ are the people we need in our time. 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness' (Matthew 6:33a).