1 Corinthians
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1 Corinthians 4
1 Corinthians 4
1Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Commentary · verse 1
2Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Commentary · verse 2
Paul showed that believers needed to be found faithful (understanding and experience) in order to qualify as stewards.
Doctrines on this passage
3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
4For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
Commentary · verses 3-4
Doctrine: Man should not judge others; the Lord is our Justifier and our Judge. Paul completely rejected judgment from any man. Paul only recognized the Lord as Judge. If you want to have support of this from Jesus: See Matthew 7:1. If you want to have support from Paul: See Romans 14:12-14.
5Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.
5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Commentary · verse 5
Doctrine: We should not judge people before Jesus returns. In the New Testament, "judge" meant to equal out Justice. This is Christ's responsibility at Final Judgment. Christ will bring to light the hidden things of darkness. Christ will make the counsels (intentions, be minded) of our hearts appear. Christ, via the Holy Spirit, will guide believers into all truth.
Doctrines on this passage
6Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other.
6And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
Commentary · verse 6
Paul again stated believers should not go beyond what was written: we should not judge other people. Paul specifically stated that he and Apollos did not judge others so that they would not get prideful towards one another. Paul and Apollos had been examples of humility to the people. They were willing to consider they could be wrong.
7For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?
8Already are ye filled, already ye are become rich, ye have come to reign without us: yea and I would that ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
7For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
8Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
Commentary · verses 7-8
Paul stated none of the people in the church at Corinth had reason to be prideful because they did not found their church: apostles founded the church.
Commentary · verses 9-13
Verses 9-13: effects of being an apostle.
9For, I think, God hath set forth us the apostles last of all, as men doomed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, both to angels and men.
9For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
Commentary · verse 9
Doctrine: Apostles are last of all, they ought to be the most humble because they have the toughest road. An apostle will not last very long if they are prideful. Apostles are "as men doomed to death."
10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye have glory, but we have dishonor.
10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
Commentary · verse 10
Paul referenced the points he made in the premise of the first three chapters. Paul was a fool, weak, and not noble according to the world. He was wise, powerful, and noble in Christ: spiritually.
11Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;
11Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
Commentary · verse 11
Apostles are vulnerable vagabonds.
12and we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;
12And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
Commentary · verse 12
Apostles respond to being reviled by blessing. Apostles endure persecution, persecution that will come.
13being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, even until now.
13Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Commentary · verse 13
Apostles are defamed and treated as "the filth of the world." Apostles have a hard existence in this world. How many apostles do we have today that fit this description? Would the church today recognize people who fit this description as "apostles"?
14I write not these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
14I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
Commentary · verse 14
Paul was an exhorter. He realized what he wrote could be taken in a negative fashion, as if the church in Corinth ought to be ashamed. Paul made sure the church in Corinth realized he was not shaming them, he was trying to facilitate their growth as if they were his children that he greatly loved. Paul continued the analogy of being a father...
15For though ye have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel.
15For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
Commentary · verse 15
Paul recognized the church in Corinth had a lot of teachers (tutors). However, Paul pointed out the church in Corinth did not have many spiritual fathers. It appeared the only spiritual fathers were Paul and Apollos.
16I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me.
16Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
Commentary · verse 16
Paul encouraged the Corinthians to be an imitator of him. Some people may get into condemnation when they try and be like Christ who was sinless. Paul was someone people can better relate to because of his storied background.
17For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall put you in remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every church.
17For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
Commentary · verse 17
Paul sent them Timothy to remind them of the way that Paul (and Timothy) lived. Paul sent his "favored son" to the rest of his "children."
18Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.
19But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will; and I will know, not the word of them that are puffed up, but the power.
20For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
18Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
19But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
20For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
Commentary · verses 18-20
Doctrine: The Kingdom of God is not in word (SAY), but in power (DO). Paul warned the church that he heard some were in pride and they ought to realize he would return and confront them. Paul concluded by allowing them to decide now how Paul would confront them when he arrived...
21What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
21What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
Commentary · verse 21
Theme of Chapter 4: Paul exhorted the church in Corinth to be spiritually-minded and humble themselves just as Paul had humbled himself. Paul concluded his introduction to this letter by asking them to decide how they wanted Paul to arrive: with a rod because they could not humble themselves or in love and gentleness because they chose to humble themselves and stop having divisions. Next, Paul moved to the core of this letter: settling questions of Doctrine so that they could have unity.
As part of the premise presented in the first three chapters, Paul showed resolution between the mysteries understood by the Spirit and the things valued by the flesh. Paul began the previous chapter speaking to the church of Corinth carnally because they were being fleshly, as witnessed by their divisions. Paul began this chapter exhorting the church in Corinth to be spiritually-minded, by reminding them they ought to be stewards of the mysteries of God. Not only ought we to know the mysteries of God, we ought to take responsibility for them so that others will be able to learn them.