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1 Corinthians 4

World English Bible

WEB

1So let a man think of us as Christ’s servants and stewards of God’s mysteries. 2Here, moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by a human court. Yes, I don’t even judge my own self. 4For I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord. 5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God. 6Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to think beyond the things which are written, that none of you be puffed up against one another. 7For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn’t receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? 8You are already filled. You have already become rich. You have come to reign without us. Yes, and I wish that you did reign, that we also might reign with you! 9For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men. 10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor. 11Even to this present hour we hunger, thirst, are naked, are beaten, and have no certain dwelling place. 12We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure. 13Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now. 14I don’t write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, you don’t have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Good News. 16I beg you therefore, be imitators of me. 17Because of this I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every assembly. 18Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing. And I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20For God’s Kingdom is not in word, but in power. 21What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

1 Corinthians Chapter 4 addresses the issue of leadership and stewardship within the church, emphasizing the importance of humility and accountability among those who serve in ministry. The Apostle Paul begins by describing himself and other apostles as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. He stresses that it is required of stewards to be found faithful, highlighting that their ultimate judgment comes from the Lord, not from human opinion. This sets a tone of humility, reminding the Corinthians that their leaders are not to be exalted but viewed as instruments of God’s grace. (#Paul, #Apostles, #Stewardship)

Paul then addresses the pride and divisions within the Corinthian church, pointing out that they have become arrogant and boastful about their wisdom and status. He uses irony to contrast their self-perception with the reality of the apostles' suffering and humility. The apostles, he notes, are treated as the “scum of the earth” and “the refuse of the world,” yet they remain faithful to their calling. Paul’s intention is to remind the Corinthians that true strength is found in weakness and that they should not judge based on worldly standards. He concludes by urging them to imitate him as he imitates Christ, reinforcing the idea that true leadership in the church is marked by servanthood and sacrifice. (#Corinthians, #Humility, #Leadership)

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Referenced by

  1. Deuteronomy 8:18v7Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds the Israelites that it is God who gives them the ability to produce wealth. 1 Corinthians 4:7 echoes this by asking what anyone has that they did not receive, emphasizing that all abilities and possessions are gifts from God.
  2. Acts 18:3v12Acts 18:3 mentions Paul working as a tentmaker, which is consistent with his statement in 1 Corinthians 4:12 about laboring with his own hands, highlighting his commitment to self-sufficiency and integrity in ministry.

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