1 Corinthians4

Paul instructs the Corinthians to regard apostles as faithful stewards of God's mysteries, emphasizing that only the Lord is the ultimate judge. He contrasts the Corinthians' perceived wisdom and richness with the apostles' suffering and humiliation for Christ's sake, warning against pride and division. Paul asserts his spiritual fatherhood over them and announces his intention to visit, assessing their power rather than mere words.
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Ministers and Stewards of God

1
Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. ​
2
Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. ​
3
But 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. ​
4
For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
5
Wherefore 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. ​

Warning Against Pride and Boasting

6
Now 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. ​
7
For 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? ​

The Suffering of the Apostles

8
Already 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. ​
9
For, 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. ​
10
We 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. ​
11
Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;
12
and we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; ​
13
being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, even until now. ​

Paul's Paternal Warning

14
I write not these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. ​
15
For though ye have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel. ​
16
I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me. ​
17
For 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. ​

The Test of Power

18
Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.
19
But 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. ​
20
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. ​
21
What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness? ​

Study Notes for 1 Corinthians 4

Verse 1

Paul defines the role of spiritual leaders using two key metaphors: 'ministers' (servants/under-rowers) and 'stewards' (managers of a household's affairs). The 'mysteries of God' refers primarily to the gospel plan of salvation previously hidden but now revealed.

Verse 2

Faithfulness (trustworthiness) is the essential quality required of a steward, emphasizing integrity and reliability in handling the sacred trust of the gospel message.

Verse 3

Paul dismisses human judgment, whether from the Corinthians or anyone else, as irrelevant to his ultimate standing. He acknowledges that even his own self-assessment is fallible.

Verse 5

This verse provides a crucial eschatological principle: believers should refrain from passing ultimate judgment until Christ's return, when he will reveal the hidden motives and intentions ('counsels of the hearts').

Verse 6

Paul clarifies that he used himself and Apollos as examples ('in a figure transferred') to address the Corinthians' factionalism without alienating them completely. 'Above that which is written' reminds them that humility is a basic scriptural principle.

Verse 7

This rhetorical challenge confronts the Corinthians’ arrogance; since all gifts, talents, and spiritual status are received from God, boasting is illogical and inappropriate.

Verse 8

Paul uses sharp sarcasm here. The Corinthians acted as if they had already attained the fullness of the Kingdom (reigned as kings), while the apostles were still struggling and suffering.

Verse 9

The image of being 'set forth us the apostles last' evokes the Roman practice of bringing out the condemned, often gladiators destined for death, at the end of a public spectacle, emphasizing their extreme humiliation.

Verse 10

Paul uses antithesis to highlight the vast difference between the perceived status of the Corinthian Christians (wise, strong, honorable) and the reality of the apostles' ministry (fools, weak, despised).

Verse 12

Paul notes his practice of supporting himself through manual labor, contrasting with the leisure implied by the Corinthians’ self-proclaimed 'kingship.' The response to reviling is blessing, illustrating Christ-like endurance.

Verse 13

The Greek terms translated as 'filth' and 'offscouring' (perikatharmata and peripsēma) were used for refuse or human sacrifice offered to cleanse a city during a plague, signifying utter spiritual and social contempt.

Verse 14

Paul shifts his tone from sarcasm to sincere pastoral care, assuring them his severe words are intended for instruction and warning, not permanent shame.

Verse 15

Paul establishes his unique spiritual authority as their 'father,' emphasizing that he was the instrument of their conversion ('begotten you through the gospel'), a status superior to mere 'instructors' (pedagogues or tutors).

Verse 16

Because Paul is their spiritual father and his life demonstrates the true cost of discipleship, he urges them to imitate his ways, particularly his humility and suffering.

Verse 17

Timothy is sent not just as a messenger but as Paul’s authoritative representative to remind the Corinthians of the consistent teachings and practices Paul maintains across all churches, thereby standardizing doctrine.

Verse 19

Paul promises a decisive visit, contingent on God’s will. He intends to test the spiritual reality ('power') of the boastful leaders, not merely their rhetorical skill ('speech').

Verse 20

This verse is a theological anchor: the Kingdom of God is not validated by eloquent words, human philosophy, or intellectual superiority, but by the tangible demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power.

Verse 21

Paul ends with a pointed question, giving the Corinthians a choice: Will they repent and adopt humility, allowing Paul to come in love, or persist in their arrogance, necessitating stern discipline ('a rod')?

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