Day 1 - Sunday - The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2022-2023 - Logos

 August 20

Lesson 12 (KJV)

Judgment in the Kingdom

Devotional Reading: Isaiah 41:1–14

Background Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1–21

1 Corinthians 4:1–6, 17–21

1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2 Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.

3 But with me, it is a tiny thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not at this moment justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

17 For this cause have I sent you Timotheus, my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

18 Some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.

20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

21 What will ye? Shall I come unto you with a rod, in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

Key Text

Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. —1 Corinthians 4:5

The Righteous Reign of God

Unit 3: God’s Eternal Reign

Lessons 10–13

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. Identify why Paul sent Timothy to Corinth.

2. Compare and contrast the issue of judgment in this week’s lesson with last week’s lesson and 1 Corinthians 5.

3. Recruit an accountability partner for the mutual purpose of avoiding being “puffed up.”

Lesson Outline

Introduction

A. “You’re Not the Boss of Me”

B. Lesson Context

I. Faithful Servants (1 Corinthians 4:1–6)

A. Divine Trust (vv. 1–2)

To Be Entrusted

B. Clear Conscience (vv. 3–5)

C. Leaders’ Examples (v. 6)

II. Faithful Correction (1 Corinthians 4:17–21)

A. Timothy’s Instructive Example (v. 17)

B. Paul’s Stern Warning (vv. 18–21)

The Smartest Guy in the World?

Conclusion

A. A Difficult Calling

B. Prayer

C. Thought to Remember

How to Say It

Apollos	Uh-pahl-us.
Colossians	Kuh-losh-unz.
Corinth	Kor-inch.
Corinthians	Ko-rin-thee-unz (th as in thin).
Ephesus	Ef-uh-sus.

What Do You Think? What new steps will you take to be a faithful steward of the gospel message? Digging Deeper How does 1 Peter 4:1–11 inform the actions and attitudes of such stewards of the gospel message?

What Do You Think? How can a church congregation oppose prideful attitudes through their love for one another (see Romans 12:9–21)? Digging Deeper What steps will you take to avoid a prideful attitude that will eventually lead to destruction (see Proverbs 16:18)?

What Do You Think? What steps will you take to prepare to be a mentor to a spiritual “child” regarding his or her spiritual growth and formation? Digging Deeper How does Paul’s relationship with Timothy (see 2 Timothy 3:10–4:8; etc.) help inform this mentoring relationship?

What Do You Think? How is the judgment that a person might receive different from or similar to the consequences they might receive for their actions? Digging Deeper What Scriptures come to mind regarding temporary and eternal consequences?

What Do You Think? How should believers decide whether a situation should be addressed through a corrective “rod” or with a “spirit of meekness”? Digging Deeper What steps can believers take to restore a relationship after a necessary but unpleasant confrontation?

Conclusion

A. A Difficult Calling

Paul’s language toward the Corinthians is sharply and appropriately judgmental. This helps us understand why Paul wrote as he did, helping us understand what living in God’s kingdom means.

God is our ultimate judge. But God calls us into a kingdom where His subjects, answering only to Him, humbly and lovingly nurture one another toward greater Christlikeness. This happens even as we acknowledge our weaknesses and submit to those who help us grow. It is a calling that is as difficult as it is rewarding.

B. Prayer

God, we come to You in repentance of the arrogance that we have always been guilty of. May we abandon our supposed entitlements and focus instead on the entitlements Jesus voluntarily gave up so that we might live with Him eternally. In His name, we pray. Amen!

C. Thought to Remember

With God as our judge, the church lives in humble fellowship.

Involvement Learning

Enhance your lesson with KJV Bible Student (from your curriculum supplier) and the reproducible activity page (at www.standardlesson.com or in the back of the KJV Standard Lesson Commentary Deluxe Edition).

 Weatherly, Jon, et al. “Judgment in the Kingdom.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2022–2023. Ed. Jane Ann Kenney, Ronald L. Nickelson, and Taylor Z. Stamps. Vol. 70. Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2023. 438–440. Print. The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary.