Rank

1Co 4:3  It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in 
popular opinion. I don't even rank myself. Comparisons in these matters are pointless. 

	So I guess Paul wasn't doing his own polling to find out where he stood on 
various subjects and what people were thinking about him and his teaching compared to 
the other "big'" ministers of the day. It must not have been on his schedule to have a 
brainstorming meeting to see how he could improve his public image and increase his 
share of the spiritual influence of the time. There surely must have been this natural 
human competitive nature in Paul that tried to poke its head up and take notice of these 
things. But somehow, with apparent success, that little head was kept from getting out 
where it could look around. There was this lid of "security" that kept it contained. Paul 
had a healthy perspective of everyone's standing that placed them equally dependent 
upon the mercy and grace of God. Though one might be gifted in a certain way, this gift 
was something for which he could not take credit. As a gift, it was given to him from 
above. (verse 7 ...Isn't everything you have and everything you are sheer gifts from God? 
So what's the point of all this comparing and competing?) 
	While it is great to observe this security in Paul, there is something else that is 
taking place in this chapter that is more important than the revelation of Paul's humility. 
It is quite difficult for a leader to take anyone somewhere he is not headed himself, and it 
is apparent throughout this passage, that Paul's heart is to take those he is addressing to a 
wonderful place of security he has found himself. There will always be a persona given to 
those who are before people in a role of teacher or leader that makes them appear to be on 
a "higher" level of spirituality. Paul's experience in the ministry, though, had given him 
an understanding that there was none that had totally "arrived", that everyone was dealing 
with the same issues of life on an even playing field. In living this understanding and 
taking his followers there, he was leading them away from the traps of comparison and 
competition that would certainly divert attention from the only One that could bring 
fulfillment and purpose. Rather than trying to impress them with what he had attained, 
placing himself on a level that might appear even more further from reach, he presented 
this understanding in a way placed them right there with Him,  in a place of security that 
was without need of outside verification. (verse 8 You already have all you need. You 
already have more access to God than you can handle. Without bringing either Apollos 
or me into it, you're sitting on top of the world--at least God's world--and we're right 
there, sitting alongside you!) In teaching them to avoid the ranking of others, he was 
liberating them from the bondage of insecurity themselves. 
	It will never be about apparel, occupation, possessions, position, spiritual giftings, 
popularity or recognition. These things may exist in the abundant provision of God, but 
there is never a time for judging anyone (including self) as a higher ranking person for 
possessing any of these things. The Master will bring out in the open and place in 
evidence all kinds of things we never even dreamed of--inner motives and purposes and 
prayers.(verse 5) Our focus kept continually on Him, we will find ourselves incredibly 
secure in this person that has found identity in Him. Then, there will also be this 
wonderful provision of liberation to security for any that might be following us on this 
adventurous path of progress towards Him. Established in Him, there will never be a need 
for placing rank on anyone else. When He has been seen, the importance of all others is 


6/29/05