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1 Corinthians 4:1-5




Scripture: 1 Cor. 4:1This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

1 Cor. 4:2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

1 Cor. 4:3 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.

1 Cor. 4:4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

1 Cor. 4:5 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.


Teaching: Paul continues into chapter four on a similar line of thinking to chapter three, here speaking on how the Corinthians should consider apostles like himself, Peter, and Apollos. His call here is for them to be considered “servants of Christ” and “stewards of the mysteries of God.” The Greek word for servant here is hyperetes, which means someone who serves underneath of a greater leader but who has authority themselves. This differs from the term doulos, which Paul uses more frequently and expresses servitude in the sense of slavery, bond servitude, or a man bound to servitude. To explain using Army rankings, Paul means here that he is to be considered sort of a colonel or major underneath Christ, who in this sense, is the general. So, the Corinthians should regard him as having authority as commissioned by Christ.


Secondly, Paul instructs them that he should be regarded as a “steward of the mysteries of God.” Here, the term oikonomos is used for “steward,” which means a “manager of a household or of household affairs.” In this sense, he has been trusted with something of value for all the household of God; something he did not author nor should be credited for, but rather tasked with its care and public showing or revealing. Consider this like a butler of a great mansion, responsible for its upkeep, operation, and leading guided tours.


In these roles, Paul then says he does not concern himself with how he is perceived by the Corinthians (or any others for that matter). His judge is the Lord. In verse 5, Paul calls the Corinthians to regard themselves in the same way and stop comparing themselves to each other, attempting to gain honor or renown over others in the Body.


Takeaway: One of the United States’ greatest writers, Ambrose Bierce (1842-1904) was a staunch agnostic and completely rejected Christ in his lifetime. His view of Christians, though, sadly holds some merit even today. He defined a Christian as “someone who believes that the New Testament is a divinely-inspired book, admirably suited to the spiritual needs of his neighbor.” In forming community within any church body, there is temptation to seek honor and glory above others – if even in our own minds. Bragging aloud or to ourselves about how we serve more than that couple, we give more than that guy, we sacrifice more than that lady...it’s all sinful, prideful thinking that would makes us more like Ambrose Bierce’s definition of a Christian than Christ’s. To overcome such temptation and prideful thinking (or the flipside, woeful thinking, believing we are inadequate compared to others in the church), remember what Paul says here. We serve an audience of one: Jesus Christ. In that endeavor, we are simultaneously as forgiven, loved, and gracefully empowered as we will ever need AND as woefully inadequate and unqualified to represent Christ to the world as everyone else. The Word of God is not just for our neighbors, it is equally important for us. And how we represent Christ, serving Him in this life, is not a matter for comparison but of faithfulness to calling. Today, be faithful to Christ; forget the praises and jeers of men and focus your attention squarely where it belongs.

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