What does 1 Corinthians 1:15 teach about humility in our spiritual practices? Setting the Scene Paul writes to a divided church at Corinth. Factions have sprung up around favorite leaders—Paul, Apollos, Cephas, even Christ (1 Corinthians 1:12–13). To cut off any chance of people turning baptism into a badge of loyalty to him, Paul reminds them: “so no one can say that you were baptized into my name.” (1 Corinthians 1:15) Why Paul Highlights This • Protects Christ-centeredness: Baptism must point to Jesus, not to the minister who performs it. • Undercuts human boasting: If Paul himself refuses to collect followers, no believer can claim celebrity status. • Models servant-hearted leadership: Paul quietly steps out of the spotlight, making Christ the only focus. Lessons on Humility in Our Spiritual Practices 1. Give Jesus the credit, not ourselves. • Galatians 6:14—“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2. Resist turning spiritual acts into personal branding. • Matthew 6:1—“Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them.” 3. Let our service be invisible when possible. • 2 Corinthians 4:5—“For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 4. Remember our role: instruments, not owners. • John 3:30—“He must increase; I must decrease.” 5. Foster unity by refusing to draw lines around personalities. • 1 Corinthians 3:6–7—“I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God.” Supporting Scriptures That Reinforce Humility • Proverbs 27:2—“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth.” • 1 Peter 5:5–6—“Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another… humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand.” • Philippians 2:3—“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.” Putting It into Practice • Examine motives before leading, teaching, or serving—am I elevating Christ or spotlighting me? • Speak of spiritual milestones (baptisms, conversions, ministry successes) in ways that honor the Lord’s work, not our role. • Celebrate others’ ministries without jealousy; we are on the same team. • Cultivate unseen acts of service that only God notices, training the heart to resist applause. Closing Reflection Paul’s single sentence in 1 Corinthians 1:15 is a gentle nudge: every spiritual practice should be a window through which people see Christ, never a mirror reflecting ourselves. True humility keeps the church united, our service pure, and Jesus unmistakably central. |
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