1 Corinthians4
New Living Translation
1So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries.
2Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.
3As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point.
4My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.
5So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.
6Dear brothers and sisters, I have used Apollos and myself to illustrate what I’ve been saying. If you pay attention to what I have quoted from the Scriptures, you won’t be proud of one of your leaders at the expense of another.
7For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?
8You think you already have everything you need. You think you are already rich. You have begun to reign in God’s kingdom without us! I wish you really were reigning already, for then we would be reigning with you.
9Instead, I sometimes think God has put us apostles on display, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade, condemned to die. We have become a spectacle to the entire world—to people and angels alike.
10Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you claim to be so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honored, but we are ridiculed.
11Even now we go hungry and thirsty, and we don’t have enough clothes to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home.
12We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us.
13We appeal gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world’s garbage, like everybody’s trash—right up to the present moment.
14I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
15For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you.
16So I urge you to imitate me.
17That’s why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go.
18Some of you have become arrogant, thinking I will not visit you again.
19But I will come—and soon—if the Lord lets me, and then I’ll find out whether these arrogant people just give pretentious speeches or whether they really have God’s power.
20For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.
21Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Corinthians 4.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The true character of gospel ministers. (1–6). Cautions against despising the apostle. (7–13). He claims their regard as their spiritual father in Christ, and shows his concern for them. (14–21).
vv1-6
Apostles were no more than servants of Christ, but they were not to be undervalued. They had a great trust, and for that reason, had an honourable office. Paul had a just concern for his own reputation, but he knew that he who chiefly aimed to please men, would not prove himself a faithful servant of Christ. It is a comfort that men are not to be our final judges. And it is not judging well of ourselves, or justifying ourselves, that will prove us safe and happy. Our own judgment is not to be depended upon as to our faithfulness, any more than our own works for our justification. There is a day coming, that will bring men's secret sins into open day, and discover the secrets of their hearts. Then every slandered believer will be justified, and every faithful servant approved and rewarded. The word of God is the best rule by which to judge as to men. Pride commonly is at the bottom of quarrels. Self-conceit contributes to produce undue esteem of our teachers, as well as of ourselves. We shall not be puffed up for one against another, if we remember that all are instruments, employed by God, and endowed by him with various talents.
vv7-13
We have no reason to be proud; all we have, or are, or do, that is good, is owing to the free and rich grace of God. A sinner snatched from destruction by sovereign grace alone, must be very absurd and inconsistent, if proud of the free gifts of God. St. Paul sets forth his own circumstances, verse 9 Allusion is made to the cruel spectacles in the Roman games; where men were forced to cut one another to pieces, to divert the people; and where the victor did not escape with his life, though he should destroy his adversary, but was only kept for another combat, and must be killed at last. The thought that many eyes are upon believers, when struggling with difficulties or temptations, should encourage constancy and patience. “We are weak, but ye are strong.” All Christians are not alike exposed. Some suffer greater hardships than others. The apostle enters into particulars of their sufferings. And how glorious the charity and devotion that carried them through all these hardships! They suffered in their persons and characters as the worst and vilest of men; as the very dirt of the world, that was to be swept away: nay, as the offscouring of all things, the dross of all things. And every one who would be faithful in Christ Jesus, must be prepared for poverty and contempt. Whatever the disciples of Christ suffer from men, they must follow the example, and fulfil the will and precepts of their Lord. They must be content, with him and for him, to be despised and abused. It is much better to be rejected, despised, and ill used, as St. Paul was, than to have the good opinion and favour of the world. Though cast off by the world as vile, yet we may be precious to God, gathered up with his own hand, and placed upon his throne.
vv14-21
In reproving for sin, we should distinguish between sinners and their sins. Reproofs that kindly and affectionately warn, are likely to reform. Though the apostle spoke with authority as a parent, he would rather beseech them in love. And as ministers are to set an example, others must follow them, as far as they follow Christ in faith and practice. Christians may mistake and differ in their views, but Christ and Christian truth are the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Whenever the gospel is effectual, it comes not in word only, but also in power, by the Holy Spirit, quickening dead sinners, delivering persons from the slavery of sin and Satan, renewing them both inwardly and outwardly, and comforting, strengthening, and establishing the saints, which cannot be done by the persuasive language of men, but by the power of God. And it is a happy temper, to have the spirit of love and meekness bear the rule, yet to maintain just authority.
Key Words
οὕτω (hoútō): in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)
ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos): from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being
λογίζομαι (logízomai): to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively)
ἡμᾶς (hēmâs): us
ὡς (hōs): which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ὑπηρέτης (hypērétēs): an under-oarsman, i.e. (generally) subordinate (assistant, sexton, constable)
Χριστός (Christós): anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἰκονόμος (oikonómos): a house-distributor (i.e. manager), or overseer, i.e. an employee in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively, a preacher (of the Gospel)
μυστήριον (mystḗrion): a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 4Paul's explicit appeal to follow his example, which he clarifies is following Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Underlying concept of a steward appointed to dispense food/mysteries faithfully.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Moses is praised as a faithful servant in God's house, representing the prime ministerial duty.
Supported by JFB
Directly reinforces that all we have is received from God above, preventing human boasting.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Verbal echo of being made a 'gazingstock' or spectacle to the world and angels.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Historical record of Paul actually laboring with his own hands as a tentmaker.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Lamentations' description of being made 'offscouring and refuse' echoed precisely by Paul.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel usage of Paul 'begetting' a spiritual son (Onesimus) through the gospel.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Echoes the contrast between persuasive words of human wisdom and demonstration of divine power.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Instructing others with the same 'spirit of meekness' Paul offers to the Corinthians.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel concept of the 'day' of testing which reveals every man's work by fire.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The day when God shall judge the secrets of men's hearts by Jesus Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Paul using himself and Apollos to show that ministers are only instruments.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Historical context of Paul purposing in the Spirit to visit Corinth and Macedonia.
Supported by John Calvin
Reinforces that the kingdom of God is not external matters but righteousness, peace, and power.
Supported by Matthew Henry