In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul makes a case for his authority as an apostle, and for the Corinthian believers not to think so highly of themselves. They have elevated themselves above their original leaders–Paul and Apollos. He reminded them they might have “10,000 guardians, but not many fathers.” That is such a key point for all to remember: we need leaders whose investment in us is more than as teachers or preachers, but who care about us as sons and daughters.
In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul takes a strong stance against those in the church who are practicing sin as a way of life. He gives the example of a man who was committing sexual sin. He then reminded the Corinthians not to associate with those who are sexually immoral. Then he makes sure they understand he means those inside the church. Those outside the church aren’t subject to the same standards. As I’ve said so often, “I don’t expect non-believers to act like believers.” I got that from Jesus and Paul. They didn’t either. But when we are believers, our actions must change, because we now have the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us.
In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul speaks about the absurdity of believers suing one another in secular courts. He points out we will judge angels, so why would we need a secular authority to judge each other. He points out it would be better to be wronged than to go to court. How much that has to say to our modern litigious world, which undoubtedly includes Christians suing each other. Paul then goes on to underline how important it is to avoid sexual sin. He points out we are the “temple” of the Holy Spirit, and therefore we must be holy. To commit sexual sin is to stain the temple. He reminds us we are not our own, and we have been bought with a price. He doesn’t mention the price, but we all know it is the price of Jesus’ blood shed on the cross. That’s the highest imaginable price, which is why we must never forget it.
As we return to Matthew 17, we read of Jesus being transfigured with Moses and Elijah. The experience was overwhelming to Peter, James, and John who were with Jesus. When the experience ended and they went down the mountain to rejoin the crowds, a man had brought his son to be healed by the disciples. They were unable to cast a demon out of the boy, and Jesus demonstrated some frustration. When the father said he had faith, but needed Jesus to increase his faith, Jesus healed the boy.
At the end of the chapter, Jesus sends Peter to catch a fish, in which is a coin that enabled Peter to pay the Temple tax for him and Jesus. That’s as close as Jesus ever came to performing a miracle for Himself, but He didn’t overpower nature to do that. Peter just had to catch the right fish!