Free Bible Commentary
“1 Corinthians 4:1-7”
Categories: 1 Corinthians"Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.
“Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other. For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”
---End of Scripture verses---
The Christians in Corinth were looking at the men who taught them the truth in the wrong way. Paul fully recognized that he was merely a servant in the kingdom of the Lord (verse 1). The Greek word rendered “servant” is “huperetes”. This is a word frequently translated “minister” and was used to describe a “steward” or a chief slave that superintended a house. He knew he was an important servant, but just a servant nonetheless.
The most important quality of servants is that they “be found trustworthy” (verse 2). Once again, eloquence of speech and superiority in wisdom are not the primary hallmarks of a faithful preacher or teacher of God’s word. God esteems faithful and diligent dispatch of duty above all else. The most important virtue that ANY servant in God’s kingdom can possess is that his Master can completely trust him/her to do what He expects and commands. Consider what the master said to the trustworthy servants in the Parable of the Talents: “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21, 23).
While some at the church in Corinth elevated Paul to an overly high status, others viewed him with contempt. It was a “small thing” to Paul to be “examined” or “judged” by the brethren in this way (verse 3). It’s not that it didn’t bother him. It’s just that he knew their false judgment of him would not convict him in the day of Final Judgment. As a matter of fact, Paul knew he dare not even pass judgment upon himself. He was conscious of nothing that he had done wrong which had not been repented of, but he knew he could never be “acquitted” by his own conscience (verse 4). That was not the standard he was ultimately going to be judged by.
All people are going to be judged by “what is written”. The standard that we will all be held accountable to is the written word, and we must be careful to not “exceed” God’s revelation: specifically the New Testament of Jesus Christ (John 12:48). The Apostle John expressed the same idea in 2 John 1:9: “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.” We must be careful not to exceed inspiration, to not “go too far”. But we also must be diligent to not come short of it either. We are not to add to the written word or take away from it, but abide faithfully within its authority (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:19).
By the way, when Paul says to “not go on passing judgment before the time” in verse 5, he is talking about judging “the motives of men’s hearts.” We should never judge people’s hearts and motives, but their sinful words and actions are fair game. If we don’t warn people of the fiery Judgment that awaits the disobedient, we won’t be doing them any favors. We must point out people’s sins to them so they can know that they need to turn from them in order to be saved. That’s not really judging people, it’s actually helping them from a heart of care and concern. Jesus said much the same in John 7:24. “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
Please read 1 Corinthians 4:8-13 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
