1Cor 4 | MHM | STEP | The Stewardship of the Apostles Paul teaches the Corinthians how they should think about church leaders, especially apostles. He wants them to avoid two extremes: thinking too highly or too little of their ministers. Apostles and other ministers are only servants of Christ and managers of the truths God has revealed. They have a special responsibility, but their authority comes from Christ, not from themselves. Their main duty is to be faithful in sharing God’s message, not to gain human praise or power. v. 1 : Paul says, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Corinthians 4:1 ). Apostles are not to be worshipped or made into party leaders. They are not masters, but servants and stewards. Their job is to take care of God’s household, share spiritual truth, and provide for the people of God. The importance of their work comes from Christ, not from their own opinions or abilities.

‏ 1 Corinthians 4

The Stewardship of the Apostles

Paul teaches the Corinthians how they should think about church leaders, especially apostles. He wants them to avoid two extremes: thinking too highly or too little of their ministers. Apostles and other ministers are only servants of Christ and managers of the truths God has revealed. They have a special responsibility, but their authority comes from Christ, not from themselves. Their main duty is to be faithful in sharing God’s message, not to gain human praise or power.

v. 1: Paul says, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Corinthians 4:1 ^a). Apostles are not to be worshipped or made into party leaders. They are not masters, but servants and stewards. Their job is to take care of God’s household, share spiritual truth, and provide for the people of God. The importance of their work comes from Christ, not from their own opinions or abilities.

v. 2: Paul says that what is required of a steward is faithfulness. Ministers must be loyal to their Master and true to His message. They should teach what Christ commands, not their own ideas. If they are faithful, the opinion of others matters little. Pleasing God is more important than pleasing people (1 Corinthians 4:2; Galatians 1:10 ^b).

v. 3: Paul continues, “It is a small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment.” He does not worry about people’s opinions or criticisms as long as he is faithful to Christ. Even his own opinion about himself is not what matters most. The true judge is the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:3 ^c).

v. 4: Paul adds that he does not know of anything against himself, but that does not make him innocent. Only God’s judgment counts. Self-approval is not enough. The Lord will judge each person’s service honestly and fairly (1 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 10:18 ^d).

v. 5: Paul advises, “Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come.” People should not be quick to judge others, especially their spiritual leaders, because only Jesus knows the secrets of every heart. When Christ returns, He will reveal everything that is hidden and give true praise to those who have served Him faithfully (1 Corinthians 4:5; Jeremiah 17:10 ^e; Revelation 2:23 ^f).

v. 6: Paul explains that he used his own name and Apollos’ name as examples to teach the Corinthians not to think more highly of their leaders than what is written in the Scriptures. They should not become proud or create divisions by attaching themselves to one teacher over another. All church leaders are just servants working for God. We must not give them the honor that belongs only to Christ (1 Corinthians 4:6; Matthew 23:8,10 ^g).

Caution against Censoriousness; Distressed Condition of the Apostles

In this section, Paul warns the Corinthians against pride, judging others, and thinking too highly of themselves or their gifts. He reminds them that everything they have is from God. Paul also contrasts the comfortable life of the Corinthians with the hard lives of the apostles, showing how much the apostles suffer for Christ. This is to teach humility and to help the believers see true Christian service is often marked by sacrifice and hardship, not by pride and self-congratulation.

v. 7: Paul asks, “Who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?” He reminds the Corinthians and their leaders that all their special gifts and blessings come from God. They have no reason to boast, because everything good is given by God’s grace. Pride has no place when we remember our dependence on Him (1 Corinthians 4:7; Psalm 115:1 ^h).

v. 8: Paul uses irony to rebuke the Corinthians: “You are full, you are rich, you have reigned as kings without us.” He points out how they think highly of their spiritual gifts and believe they lack nothing. Paul wishes they truly were as spiritually strong as they believe, so he could share in their honor. He warns that pride keeps a person from growing and seeing their true need for God (1 Corinthians 4:8 ⁱ).

v. 9: Paul describes the apostles’ situation: “God has set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men.” The apostles are exposed to suffering and danger, like people brought out to fight in the arena for everyone to watch. Their hardships show the power of God’s grace and prove their faithfulness, even when everyone else sees them as weak or foolish .

v. 10: Paul continues the contrast: “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honorable, but we are despised.” The apostles are mocked and looked down on for their service to Christ, while the Corinthians think of themselves as wise and respected. Paul’s words remind them that God’s servants are often misunderstood and mistreated by the world (1 Corinthians 4:10; 2 Corinthians 12:10 ^j).

v. 11: Paul shares more about the suffering of the apostles: “Even to this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place.” The apostles experience hunger, thirst, lack of clothing, and homelessness. Their lives are hard, even though they serve Christ faithfully (1 Corinthians 4:11; Luke 9:58 ^k).

v. 12: Paul says, “And labor, working with our own hands.” The apostles have to do manual work to survive. “Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it.” Even when they are insulted and persecuted, they respond with kindness and patience (1 Corinthians 4:12 ^l).

v. 13: Paul explains, “Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.” The apostles are treated like the world’s rubbish, the lowest of the low. Yet, they continue to serve Christ with love no matter how badly they are treated (1 Corinthians 4:13; Colossians 1:24 ^m; 1 Samuel 16:7 ⁿ).

Paul's Tenderness and Affection

In this passage, Paul shows his loving and fatherly attitude toward the Corinthians. He wants them to understand that his warnings and corrections come from a place of care, not from anger or a desire to shame them. Paul reminds them that he was the one who first brought them to faith in Jesus, and he encourages them to follow his example as he follows Christ. His goal is to help them grow and live as true followers of Jesus.

v. 14: Paul says, I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you (1 Corinthians 4:14 ^o). He explains that his words are not meant to embarrass or hurt them, but to correct them lovingly, like a father guiding his children. Reproof should be gentle and aimed at helping, not exposing or humiliating.

v. 15: Paul reminds them that he is their spiritual father. He says, “Though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel” (1 Corinthians 4:15 ^p). Paul was the first to preach the gospel to them and helped them become Christians, which makes his relationship with them very special. There should be a deep love between faithful ministers and those they lead to Christ.

v. 16: Paul urges them, Wherefore I beseech you, be you followers of me . He wants them to imitate his example, as he tries to follow Christ. Paul is not asking them to follow him blindly, but to follow him only as far as he follows Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:1 ^q). Ministers should live in a way that others can safely follow, and believers should look to good examples as they grow in faith.

Paul's Affection and Authority.

Paul writes to the Corinthians to remind them of his care and leadership. He wants them to remember what he has taught and lived out among them. Paul’s teachings are the same everywhere, for all churches. He trusts Timothy to help them, and he plans to visit soon, if the Lord wills. Paul warns them that his visit could be gentle or firm, depending on how they respond.

v. 17: Paul tells the church that he has sent Timothy to them, so they will remember his ways in Christ. Timothy will remind them what Paul taught and how he lived among them (1 Corinthians 4:17 ^r). Paul always taught the same message, everywhere and in every church. He did not change his teaching for different people. This is because the truth of Christ does not change. As Hebrews says, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8 ^s). Timothy is Paul’s spiritual son and a faithful servant of the Lord. The church should respect Timothy, because he will be faithful to his mission and report honestly about them.

v. 18-19: Paul rebukes those who think he will not come to visit. He says he does plan to come soon, but only if the Lord wills it (1 Corinthians 4:19 ^t). Paul shows that even apostles must depend on God’s will and not make plans without considering God’s purpose, as James also teaches: If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that (James 4:15 ^u).

v. 19-20: Paul says that when he comes, he will test the people who are proud. He will not judge them by their fancy words, but by the power behind what they say (1 Corinthians 4:19 ^v). The kingdom of God is not about talking, but about real power. God’s kingdom changes hearts and lives through the Holy Spirit. What really matters is if people’s lives show true piety and goodness, not just good speech.

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v. 21: Paul asks them how they want him to come: with a rod, or in love and a gentle spirit (1 Corinthians 4:21 ^w). If they continue to do wrong, he will have to correct them strictly. But if they change their ways, he will come with kindness and patience. Paul would rather be gentle, like a loving father, but he will use authority if needed. He encourages them to avoid trouble by doing what is right.