Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video.

Our text today is 1 Corinthians 4:8-13.

Paul pulls no punches in this section. He exposes the lie the Corinthians had embraced—the belief that the Christian life should look like success, strength, ease, and even royalty.

They wanted to be kings. Paul wanted them to see the cross.

Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 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. 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. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. — 1 Corinthians 4:8–13

Paul uses biting sarcasm — "Already you have become rich! Already you've become kings!"—to expose their inflated view of themselves. They wanted the life of royalty. Paul lived the life of a servant.

The gospel doesn't call us to upward mobility but downward humility.

This is the heartbeat of Paul's contrast:

• They wanted honor; Paul embraced humiliation.
• They wanted ease; Paul accepted hardship.
• They wanted status; Paul lived as a servant.
• They wanted the crown; Paul carried the cross.

It's the same lie still preached today—mainly by the health-and-wealth movement that elevates comfort, prosperity, and "blessing" as the measure of God's favor.

But following Jesus is not about climbing up—it's about kneeling down.

Paul shows what real ministry looks like:

1. Hunger
2. Thirst
3. Poor clothing
4. Hard labor
5. Persecution
6. Insults
7. Being viewed as the "scum of the world"

Not exactly the resume of upward mobility. And yet—Paul is content. Not because life is easy, but because it looks like Jesus.

The way up is always down.

This is the paradox of the Christian life: You descend before you rise. You humble yourself before you're exalted. You suffer before you reign. You serve before you lead. The Corinthians wanted to skip straight to the throne. Paul reminds them—and us—that the throne comes only through the cross.

Downward humility, not upward mobility.

That's the shape of the Christian life. That's the model of our Savior. That's the path to true greatness.

DO THIS:

Identify one area where you've expected ease, comfort, or recognition. Ask God to help you embrace a servant posture instead.

ASK THIS:

1. Where have I believed comfort should be part of the Christian life?
2. Do I secretly want the crown without the cross?
3. How can I practice "downward humility" today in a practical way?

PRAY THIS:

Lord, protect me from chasing upward mobility. Make me a servant like Your Son—humble, willing, and joyful in obedience. Help me embrace the cross before the crown. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Christ Be Magnified"

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video.

Our text today is 1 Corinthians 4:6-7.

Pride rarely shows up overnight. It inflates slowly—one comparison at a time.

The Corinthians were comparing leaders, comparing gifts, comparing wins, and comparing influence. Every comparison pumped a little more air into the ego.

So Paul says:

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? — 1 Corinthians 4:6–7

There it is: "puffed up." Inflated. Air-filled. Hollow confidence built on comparing yourself to someone else.

Comparison is spiritual bloat. It makes you look bigger, but it always makes you weaker.

Paul doesn't just call it pride—he shows what fuels it:

• You compare your strengths to someone else's weakness.
• You compare your wins to someone else's struggles.
• You compare your gifting to someone else's calling.
• And suddenly, you're "puffed up in favor of one against another."

Comparison always produces two outcomes: inflation or deflation. Neither leads to humility.

So Paul places a pin in the ego with one question: "What do you have that you did not receive?"

It's one of the most humbling sentences in the chapter.

• Your gifts? Received.
• Your opportunities? Received.
• Your abilities? Received.
• Your influence? Received.
• Your successes? Received.

When you realize everything is a gift, boasting feels ridiculous. You didn't earn the breath you're breathing. You received it.

When you remember everything comes from God, something beautiful happens:

• The bloating stops.
• The ego shrinks.
• The comparisons fade.
• Gratitude rises.

Because you can't be "puffed up" when you know you're living on received grace. Therefore, puffed-up faith pops under pressure.

So stay grounded. Stay grateful. Stay aware that everything you have comes from a generous God—not a comparison chart.

DO THIS:

Identify one area where comparison has inflated or deflated you. Then replace comparison with gratitude by thanking God for what you've received.

ASK THIS:

1. Where am I most tempted to compare myself with others?
2. What gift from God have I been treating like something I earned?
3. How would gratitude—not comparison—change my posture today?

PRAY THIS:

Father, expose the places where I've inflated myself through comparison. Remind me that everything I have is received from You. Make me humble, grounded, and grateful. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Give Me Jesus"

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video.

Our text today is 1 Corinthians 4:1-5.

We all make judgments every day. We should. Wise judgment is part of following Jesus—choosing what's right, resisting what's wrong, and evaluating what's healthy or harmful.

But Paul is talking about something very different here:

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. — 1 Corinthians 4:1–5

There's a difference between making wise judgments and pronouncing eternal judgment—and the Corinthians confused the two.

They weren't just evaluating behavior. They were assigning motives, ranking leaders, critiquing hearts, and acting like they could see what only God sees.

Paul says, "Your judgment—and even my own self‑evaluation—is too small to define me."

Human judgment is horizontal. God's judgment is eternal.

Paul isn't telling believers to stop using discernment. He's telling them to stop pretending they can see what only God sees.

You can evaluate actions and doctrine. You should evaluate behavior. But you cannot evaluate a person's motives or eternal standing. That belongs to God alone.

Live for God's approval, not human applause.

People will misjudge you. You'll even misjudge yourself—thinking you're doing great when you're not, or failing when God says you're being faithful. But none of that settles anything.

The final evaluation belongs to God. He will expose motives, reveal what's hidden, and reward faithfulness no one ever saw. And when He speaks, He will get it right.

So live for that moment. Live for His verdict.

DO THIS:

Release one place where you've been overly self‑critical or overly concerned about someone else's opinion. Say: "Lord, I want to be faithful—You handle the final judgment."

ASK THIS:

1. Where am I confusing wise judgment with eternal judgment?
2. Whose opinion has too much influence over my confidence?
3. What would change if I lived for God's verdict instead of people's reactions?

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me judge wisely but never assume Your role. Teach me to live for Your approval, trust Your timing, and surrender every final judgment to You. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Only Jesus"