From Trials to Triumph

The Letter to the Corinthians Is Timely Today

In Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church, he referred to the comparisons made between his labors and those of Apollos: “I have applied all this to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brethren, that you may learn by us to live according to scripture, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?” 1 Corinthians 4:6, 7, RSV. TT 146.3

Paul set before the church the hardships that he and his associates had endured. “To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 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.” 1 Corinthians 4:11-15, RSV. TT 146.4

He who sends forth gospel workers is dishonored when there is so strong an attachment to some favorite minister that there is an unwillingness to accept some other teacher. The Lord sends help to His people, not always as they may choose, but as they need; for men cannot discern what is for their highest good. It is seldom that one minister has all the qualifications necessary to perfect a church; therefore God often sends others, each possessing some qualifications in which the others were deficient. TT 147.1

The church should gratefully accept these servants of Christ. They should seek to derive all the benefit possible from each minister. The truths that the servants of God bring are to be accepted in humility, but no minister is to be idolized. TT 147.2

As God's ministers obtain the endowment of the Holy Spirit, to extend the triumphs of the cross, they will see fruit; they will accomplish a work that will withstand the assaults of Satan. Many will be turned from darkness to light, converted not to the human instrumentality but to Christ. Jesus only, the Man of Calvary, will appear. And God is just as ready to give power to His servants today as He was to Paul and Apollos, to Silas and Timothy, to Peter, James, and John. TT 147.3