A Spectacle (1 Corinthians 4:9-16 Devotional)

⁹ 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. ¹⁰ 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. ¹¹ To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, ¹² and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; ¹³ when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.¹⁴ I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. ¹⁵ For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. ¹⁶ I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 

1 CORINTHIANS 4:9-16

Everyone has a story.

And every story is shown in front of an audience! In this passage, Paul described the apostles and himself as a spectacle. 

9 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. 

People always want to be entertained. Nowadays, a successful entertainer usually becomes a wealthy celebrity, but it was not like that in history. Entertainers often were despised, and sometimes they were killed to entertain people. In Paul’s time, the Roman Empire had the Colosseum to entertain people; prisoners were sent to fight with other people or animals. People cheered when they were dying. In that sense, Paul was referring to when he said they were a spectacle. 

Today, we are using our lives to show people the way of God.

10 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.

In a movie, there are many roles, each role has its own characteristics; otherwise, the film will not be watchable. So, every Christian has his own unique personality, strength, and weakness in this life. 

The goal is NOT to be like another character in the plot but play your role and glorify God.

11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. 

Entertainers did not always have a high status, they were poor and despised, but they kept their heads down continue to work under all circumstances. That is the attitude we all need in serving God. 

Whether people like you or not, whether in season and out of season, we just keep on testify for Him.

14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

We do not see every person in movie production, but everyone plays a part in the finished product. The director is one of the most prominent persons we do not usually see in a movie. He directs and assists other actors to play their roles, so the film can be coherent. Paul directed other Christians to play their roles; his style was not shouting nor insulting, but rather like a father treat his children, he led and showed others how to

play their roles in this grand story.

---