Let a man consider us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court. In fact, I do not even examine myself. 4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted. But the one who examines me is the Lord. 5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and make manifest the motives of hearts. And then each one’s praise will come to him from God.
6 Now these things, brothers, I have applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to go beyond what is written, so that no one of you will become puffed up on behalf of one against the other. 7 For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? 1 Corinthians 4: 1-7 LSB
1 Corinthians 4: 1-7
V.1 Let a man consider us in this manner - This is further clarifying the uselessness of the Corinthian argument, the hero factions. Paul will now define who he, Apollos and Cephas are in Christ.
V. 1b As servants of Christ - The word he uses here is the word for a galley slave, the person who does one particular thing over and over again. There is not a lot of room here for creativity or free styling, the galley master yells out the order and the slaves follow it. Paul and the other apostles' greatness can be found in their obedience to Christ and their faithfulness to preaching the pure gospel.
i. The word hyperetas literally means an “under-rower,” in the sense that someone is a rower on a big galley ship. So, though it is not the most lowly word for a servant, it is certainly not a prestigious position. Under-rowers serve “Christ the master-pilot, helping forward the ship of the Church toward the haven of heaven.” (Trapp)
ii. Morgan describes this “under-rower” as “one who acts under direction, and asks no questions, one who does the thing he is appointed to do without hesitation, and one who reports only to the One Who is over him.” - Enduring Word
V. 1c And stewards of the mysteries of God - Stewardship involves involves caring for what the Master has given us, whether talent, finances, homes or families. Paul and other believers, pastors, parents, are also responsible to study and preserve the gospel, teaching their children and Christ's sheep.
9For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.… 1 Corinthians 3: 9-11
14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.” 15But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.… 1 Peter 3: 14-16
V. 2 It is required of stewards that one be found faithful - I have seen too often, in my time in churches as a young man, that it has become more of a business model, trying to find what will get people in. The faithfulness that Paul speaks of is to the gospel, and soon we will see how Paul deals with and directs others to deal with those who are leading disorderly lives. His loyalties are clearly to Christ and so his message doesn't change to suit or maintain the size of the visible body. The Bible actually gives very clear instructions about the role of servants in the church, and I have seen both false humility and flagrant pride on display so many times by those who say they have been called. I would challenge everyone to read the expectations that God has for those who teach, and realize also that those qualifications also apply to those who don't serve as elders and deacons, for children are given to their parents. The pastor will not stand in your place before God. I will include a study I did examining these qualifications below. This study was very helpful to me because it protected me by letting me see that I was not qualified, nor should anyone ever assume they are called outside of these qualifications. When you tell me your are called that is not the end of it for me. I am going to examine both your doctrine and your life.
e. It is required in servants that one be found faithful: For stewards, the important thing was faithfulness. They had to be efficient managers of the master’s resources. A steward never owned the property or resource he dealt with; he simply managed it for his master and had to manage it faithfully. - E Word
…3“that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.… Ephesians 6: 3-5
Vs. 3-5 It is a very small thing that I may be examined by you - Some have taken this wrongly in thinking that Paul was saying you can't judge me. It is quite the opposite, for the opinion of men is actually a problem in that it is very surface. Paul doesn't even judge himself, in that he is not the final authority, for though he may not be aware of a sin, may not feel bothered by a particular behavior or thought, he is not the ultimate judge. Paul has rebuked another Apostle before and so there are some things that are clearly visible as sin, though we may not see it ourselves or as so often we suppress and sear our consciences.
b. In fact, I do not even judge myself: Even our estimation of ourself is usually wrong. We are almost always too hard or too easy on ourselves. Paul recognizes this, and so will suspend judgment even upon himself. In the end, he who judges me is the Lord.
c. For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this: Paul also recognizes that he does not stand in a perfect state of justification or innocence just because his conscience was clear. Paul knew his righteousness came from Jesus, not from his own personal life – even though he had a godly walk.
d. Therefore judge nothing before the time: It is as if Paul were saying, “You Corinthians act like judges at athletic events, qualified to give some the trophy and to send others away as losers. But Jesus is the only judge, and you are judging before the events are over.”
e. Who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of men’s hearts: When Jesus judges, it will be according to the motives of the heart, not only the outward action. This is another reason why human judgment is often wrong, and why Paul feels free to disregard the harsh judgment of the Corinthian Christians towards himself. - E word
V. 6 Not to go beyond what is written - This will be another huge issue with the Corinthian church stemming from pride. They need to become people of the Book, and not follow their hearts or egos. This is a huge problem in many places that call themselves churches today, that they man centered rather than preaching God's Word and relying upon Him for the results.
1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.… 1 Corinthians 2: 1-3
V. 7 Why do you boast as if you had not received it - The way you look was the way God made you, what family you were born into, and even your ability to believe the gospel came from God, so how have you become arrogant. If your church is growing, like not just in numbers for broad is the way that leads to destruction and many are on that road, but if people are coming in and lives are being changed, that is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Corinthians wanted, as we will see, a stage, a talent show to display their abilities, and if they were real they came from God, so where is your boasting? If they were phony they came from the father of pride, again, nothing to boast about.
…7in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not by works, so that no one can boast.… Ephesians 2: 7-9
1This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.… 1 Timothy 3: 1-3
…9Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. 11Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it.… James 4: 9-11
…21The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of the things devoted to destruction, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.” 22But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. 23For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”… 1 Samuel 15: 21-23
