Daily EncouragementSample

The issue here was the criticism of “servants of Christ” - of ministers and missionaries, in particular Paul and Apollos. The criticism was coming from the church people, and was inevitably creating division. Nothing is more deadly or discouraging for faithful workers, and yet some encouraging light is shed upon such situations by this passage.

The devil was doing his work of causing division before the ink was even dry on the New Testament pages.

As a result we have a written record of this devlish strategy, and we are encouraged by the discovery that criticism in the church is not a new phenomenon.

The strength of workers lies in not encouraging this spirit of criticism and division for a moment, but in recognizing the gifts of fellow-workers and rejoicing in their fruitful service. So Paul repudiated the Corinthians’ attitude - “Was Paul crucified for you?” (1 Cor. 1:13) - and recognized Apollos - “I planted the seed. Apollos watered it, but God made it grow” (1 Cor. 3:6).

The final solution to the problem must wait till the Lord comes. Judgements made by men are fickle. Self-judgement is suspect - we are too easy on ourselves. However, men of the calibre of Paul and Apollos are not afraid for their motives to come to light, and they know that many a critic will be dumb when God expresses his praise.