1Cor 4 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Cor 4:1-5: 4:1-5 Paul emphasizes his faithfulness and the genuineness of his motives as an apostle of Christ. But only God can judge the heart. 4:1 Paul and Apollos should not be viewed as leaders competing for a following, but as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries . They were stewards entrusted with administration of the master’s business (as in Luke 12:42 ); their whole life was devoted to their master’s concerns, not to their own. • God’s mysteries: See study note on 1 Cor 2:7.

Summary for 1Cor 4:1-5: 4:1-5 ^a Paul emphasizes his faithfulness and the genuineness of his motives as an apostle of Christ. But only God can judge the heart. 4:1 ^b Paul and Apollos should not be viewed as leaders competing for a following, but as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries. They were stewards entrusted with administration of the master’s business (as in Luke 12:42 ^c); their whole life was devoted to their master’s concerns, not to their own.

• God’s mysteries: See study note on 1 Cor 2:7.
Summary for 1Cor 4:3-4: 4:3-4 ^d Paul’s deepest desire was that he be found faithful before God. Human assessments of him—by himself or others—didn’t matter.
4:5 ^e don’t make judgments about anyone: Only the Lord can fully know a person’s heart, and when he returns, he will judge. Paul took God’s judgment of his ministry very seriously (see 2 Cor 5:9-10 ^f; Phil 2:16 ^g; 1 Thes 2:19-20 ^h; cp. 2 Cor 1:14 ⁱ).
Summary for 1Cor 4:6-21: 4:6-21 ^j Paul again rebukes the Corinthian Christians for their arrogance (4:6-13 ^k) and then admonishes them as a father (4:14-21 ^l).
4:7 ^m Pride in a particular leader results from failure to realize that everything is a gift from God. There is no room for pride; humble gratitude is the only appropriate attitude.
Summary for 1Cor 4:8-13: 4:8-13 ⁿ Paul ironically highlights the difference between himself and them. Their attitudes reflect the wisdom of the world; his, the wisdom of God. In their pride, the Corinthians thought they had arrived, but they actually had a long way to go (cp. Rev 3:17-18 ^o; contrast Phil 3:12-14 ^p). If they had truly arrived, they would be sharing more of the suffering that Paul experienced (1 Cor 4:11-13 ^q). In contrast to the Corinthians, who were so proud of their attainments and the respect they had from others, the apostles suffered scorn and contempt.
4:9 ^r Like prisoners ... condemned to die by facing wild animals in the amphitheater, the apostles were a spectacle. Paul gladly accepted suffering because God was using it to bring blessing to others (see 2 Cor 1:4-7 ^s; 4:7-12 ^t; Phil 2:17 ^u; Col 1:24 ^v).
Summary for 1Cor 4:11-13: 4:11-13 ^w Paul reminds the Corinthians how much he had endured for Christ’s sake (cp. 2 Cor 6:4-5 ^x; 11:23-28 ^y).
4:12 ^z We work: To avoid being blamed by others for taking money, Paul preferred to support himself (9:3-18 ^aa; Acts 18:3 ^ab; 20:33-35 ^ac).

• We bless those who curse us: Paul’s response was in line with Jesus’ teaching (Matt 5:44-45 ^ad; cp. Rom 12:14 ^ae, 17-21 ^af).
Summary for 1Cor 4:14-21: 4:14-21 ^ag Paul concludes this section on divisions in the church (1:10–4:21 ^ah) with gentle words of fatherly admonition and warning.
Summary for 1Cor 4:14-16: 4:14-16 ^ai As their spiritual father who first brought them the Good News, Paul affirms his genuine concern for their well-being (cp. 1 Thes 2:11-12 ^aj). As his beloved children, they should listen to their father and imitate his example and teachings (see 1 Cor 11:1 ^ak; Gal 4:12 ^al; Phil 3:17 ^am; 4:9 ^an; 1 Thes 1:6 ^ao; 2 Thes 3:7-9 ^ap).
4:17 ^aq Timothy, Paul’s child in the faith and one of his closest associates, was with Paul when he first preached the Good News in Corinth (see 2 Cor 1:19 ^ar). Paul sent him to faithfully communicate what it means to follow Christ Jesus.
Summary for 1Cor 4:18-20: 4:18-20 ^as Because of his sending Timothy, some may have concluded that Paul lacked the courage to visit them himself, but in fact Paul was deeply engrossed in his work in Ephesus at this time (Acts 19:8-20 ^at; see study note on Acts 19:10). He would indeed visit them soon (see 1 Cor 16:5-9 ^au; Acts 19:21-22 ^av; 20:1-3 ^aw; cp. 2 Cor 1:15–2:4 ^ax) and would confront those who publicly opposed him and show that they were nothing more than big talkers. His life and words would demonstrate the reality of God’s power (see also 1 Cor 2:4 ^ay).