A Steward’s Requirement

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 and the Nature of Gospel Ministry

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 has always been a favorite passage of mine. In it, Paul addresses the nature of gospel ministry. This passage serves as both an encouragement and challenge for all of us to remain faithful to God, his Word, and his calling in our lives.

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

Paul is finalizing his thoughts as he addresses the first of many issues in his letter to the Corinthians. In chapter four, he teaches his readers about genuine Christian ministry. The rest of this major section (chapters one through four) reveals the Corinthians' error. Instead of uniting around the gospel, they have been dividing over teachers. Thus, Paul seeks to educate his readers about gospel ministry.

Paul begins by telling the Corinthians how they should be evaluating him and others (1 Cor. 4:1).¹ They are not patrons to be fought over or celebrities to be worshipped. Instead, they are merely servants of Christ. Indeed, they are but stewards of God's message.

As stewards, how should they be evaluated (1 Cor. 4:2)?² It is not by their gifting, abilities, or following. God's stewards are required to be faithful. They must faithfully steward the message they have been given.

The Corinthians had been judging Paul, but he did not make much of this judgment (1 Cor. 4:3–4).³ Human judgment means little in light of God's final judgment. But Paul does not even judge himself, as he is not aware of any legitimate judgment against him. However, he does not rely on his clear conscience for vindication. It is God alone who judges his stewards, not other humans or even the stewards themselves.

Finally, Paul rebukes the Corinthians and commands them to cease their judging (4:5).⁴ God will judge his stewards, there is no doubt of that. The Lord will return, and then he will judge not just the outward actions of man but also his secret deeds and inward motivations. Then, each one will receive his praise from God.

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So, what then? In light of these truths, let us act accordingly:

• Remember who you serve. Prioritize faithfulness to God, not status among men.

• Listen to man's evaluation, but rely on God's final judgment. Evaluate others based on their faithfulness to God and His Word, but recognize God's final say.

• Listen to your conscience, but remember that God is the One who will one day weigh your actions.

• Stay faithful today. Receive praise later.

• Don't assume motives. You cannot see the heart of another, so trust God to evaluate that.

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Soli Deo Gloria,

Caleb Friske

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Personal translation of 1 Corinthians 4:1-5⁵

• Let a man consider us in this way:

  • as servants of Christ

  • and stewards of the mystery of God.

• In this case, moreover, it is desired in stewards

  • that one be found faithful.

• But it is a little thing for me

  • that I might be judged by you

  • or by any human court day;

• but I do not judge myself.

  • For I am aware of nothing against myself,

  • but

    • I have not been vindicated by this;

    • rather, the one who judges me is the Lord.

• Therefore, do not go on judging anything before the time,

  • until the Lord comes,

    • who will both bring light to the secret things of darkness

    • and will reveal the intention of the heart;

• and then each one’s praise will come from God.

1. “Let a man consider us in this way: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mystery of God.” 1 Corinthians 4:1

2. “In this case, moreover, it is desired in stewards that one be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2

3. “But it is a little thing for me that I might be judged by you or by any human court day; but I do not judge myself. For I am aware of nothing against myself, but I have not been vindicated by this; rather, the one who judges me is the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 4:3-4

4. “Therefore, do not go on judging anything before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring light to the secret things of darkness and will reveal the intention of the heart; and then each one’s praise will come from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:5

5. This translation is also a block diagram. The points farthest to the left are more primary points in the text. The ones that are indented support or complement those that come before.