1 Corinthians 4

Paul finishes his answer to the Corinthians’ pride in favorite leaders. Ministers are only servants and stewards, and God alone will judge them. Paul contrasts the Corinthians’ self-satisfied “reigning” with the apostles’ hardship, then calls them to follow his example as their spiritual father and warns that God’s kingdom is about power, not talk.

1 Corinthians 4:1

Paul tells the Corinthians how to think of him and Apollos: not as rival celebrities, but as servants of Christ who manage what God has entrusted to them. The “mysteries” are the truths of the gospel that God has now made known.

BSA: stewards (“managers, overseers”): A steward ran a household for its owner, so he owned nothing and answered to the master. servants (“ministers, officers”): The word pictures a subordinate who carries out another’s orders.

Greek: ὑπηρέτας (hypēretas, G5257) — “under-rowers, subordinate helpers.” The word comes from the picture of rowers on the lower bank of a ship, taking their direction from another. Paul sees himself as under Christ’s command.

See also: Colossians 1:25-26.

1 Corinthians 4:2

The one thing a steward must be is faithful. Success, popularity and skill are not the test. A steward is measured by whether he does what his master gave him to do, and shows himself dependable over time.

BSA: faithful (“trustworthy, reliable”): Faithfulness means being dependable with what belongs to another.

See also: Luke 12:42.

1 Corinthians 4:3-4

Paul is not shaken by the Corinthians’ opinions or any human verdict. He does not even trust his own self-examination. A clear conscience is good, but it does not settle the matter. The final verdict belongs to the Lord.

BSA: judged (“investigated, examined”): The word means a careful inquiry, as in a court, not a passing remark. vindicate (“justify, make right”): Paul says a clear conscience does not declare him righteous. Only God can do that.

See also: Psalm 19:12.

1 Corinthians 4:5

Since the Lord will judge, we should not rush to pass final verdicts on others. When He comes, He will reveal what is hidden, including motives no one else can see. Then each person who is faithful will receive praise from God.

BSA: motives (“thoughts, intentions”): God looks past what we do to the purposes behind it. expose (“reveal, lay bare”): What is now concealed will be made plain.

See also: Romans 2:16; Matthew 25:21.

1 Corinthians 4:6

Paul has used himself and Apollos as examples so the Corinthians can learn humility. To stay within “what is written” is to stay within Scripture and not invent human rankings. Boasting in one teacher against another is the result of going beyond it.

BSA: written (“in Scripture, the holy Writings”): The standard is God’s written word, not human opinion of leaders.

Greek: φυσιοῦσθε (physiousthe, G5448) — “you are puffed up, inflated.” Paul uses this word of the Corinthians again and again. It describes a person swollen with self-importance, like a bag filled with wind.

1 Corinthians 4:7

Three questions strip away pride. Who made you better than others? What do you have that was not given to you? If everything is a gift, boasting makes no sense. Gratitude is the right response to grace.

BSA: receive (“get, obtain”): Everything we have, including spiritual gifts, comes from God’s hand.

See also: James 1:17; John 3:27.

1 Corinthians 4:8

Paul speaks with sharp irony. The Corinthians act as if the kingdom has fully arrived: satisfied, wealthy, reigning. Yet they are doing this without the apostles and without the cross. Paul wishes it were true, for then the apostles would share in it.

BSA: kings (“rulers, reigning with authority”): They imagine they already rule with Christ, though that day is still to come. rich (“wealthy, prosperous”): They felt spiritually well supplied and needing nothing.

See also: Revelation 3:17.

1 Corinthians 4:9

In contrast, Paul describes the apostles as the last in a victory parade, like condemned prisoners led to execution in the arena. It looks to the world like disgrace. Yet it is God who has put them on display, before angels and people alike.

BSA: procession (“victor’s parade”): Paul borrows the picture of a Roman triumph, where captives marched at the end. spectacle (“public show, gazing stock”): The apostles are watched like a public show, with the whole universe as audience.

Greek: θέατρον (theatron, G2302) — “theater, a public show.” The word behind “spectacle” is the one for a theater. Paul’s suffering is staged as a scene for all creation to watch.

1 Corinthians 4:10

Paul sets the contrasts side by side, with a strong sting of irony. The Corinthians look wise, strong and honored. The apostles look foolish, weak and dishonored. The way of the cross reverses the world’s standards.

BSA: fools (“spiritually foolish”): Paul accepts the world’s label of foolishness because he preaches a crucified Savior.

See also: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.

1 Corinthians 4:11-13

Paul lists his daily hardships: hunger, thirst, rough clothing, beatings and homelessness. He works with his own hands. When insulted he blesses, when persecuted he endures, when slandered he answers kindly. The world treats them as garbage, yet they respond like Christ.

BSA: vilified (“reviled, insulted”): These are abusive words aimed straight at a person. bless (“praise, speak well of”): Paul answers abuse with good words, not revenge. scum (“filth, refuse”): The word means the dirt that is scraped off and thrown away.

Greek: περικαθάρματα (perikatharmata, G4027) — “off-scourings, what is wiped away in cleaning.” This is the dirt left over from scrubbing. Paul says the world treats the apostles as that worthless leftover.

See also: Matthew 5:44; 1 Peter 2:23.

1 Corinthians 4:14

Paul is not trying to humiliate them. He writes as a loving father who gives a warning. His sharpness comes from care, and he wants to correct his children, not crush them.

BSA: warn (“to caution, to admonish”): The word means to put sense into someone gently but seriously, as a parent would.

1 Corinthians 4:15

Teachers and guides in the faith may be many, but Corinth has only one spiritual father. Paul brought them to new life in Christ by preaching the gospel. That gives him a closeness and a responsibility toward them that others do not have.

BSA: guardians (“tutors, instructors”): These were household servants who supervised a child, but they were not the parents. gospel (“good news, message of salvation”): New spiritual life came through the good news, not through Paul’s own power.

Greek: παιδαγωγούς (paidagōgous, G3807) — “child-guides, tutors.” A paidagōgos was a trusted slave who led a child to school and watched his behavior. He was a helper, not a father.

See also: Galatians 3:24.

1 Corinthians 4:16

A good father sets an example. Paul asks them to follow his humble, serving way of life, as he follows Christ. He is asking them to learn the pattern of the cross rather than pride.

BSA: imitate (“be followers of, live like”): Paul asks for a copying of his way of life, not just agreement with his ideas.

See also: 1 Corinthians 11:1.

1 Corinthians 4:17

Paul sends Timothy, a trusted son in the faith, to remind them how he lives in Christ. His conduct and teaching match everywhere, in every church. What he asks of Corinth is not a special rule for them.

BSA: remind (“bring to remembrance, recall”): They already know Paul’s way; they need to bring it back to mind. way (“manner, conduct”): Paul’s teaching and his daily life are one road.

See also: Philippians 2:19-22.

1 Corinthians 4:18-19

Some Corinthians have become proud, assuming Paul will not dare return. He says he will come soon, if the Lord is willing. He will then test not their fine speeches but whether there is real spiritual power behind them.

BSA: willing (“if it is the Lord’s will”): Paul plans, but holds his plans under God’s will. arrogant (“puffed up, inflated”): These people were swollen with self-importance, like a bag filled with wind.

See also: James 4:15.

1 Corinthians 4:20

God’s kingdom is not shown in clever words or impressive talk. It shows itself in the real power of God changing lives. Where that power is missing, the talk is empty.

BSA: kingdom (“reign, dominion”): The word points to God’s rule in action, not a mere idea. power (“divine strength”): The kingdom shows itself in God’s working, not in speeches.

See also: 1 Thessalonians 1:5.

1 Corinthians 4:21

Paul ends with a fatherly choice. He can come with the rod of discipline, or in love and gentleness. How he comes depends on how they respond. He hopes for the gentle way.

BSA: rod (“a symbol of authority, for punishment”): A father’s rod stood for correction, and Paul has the authority to use it. gentle (“humble, mild”): Gentleness is Paul’s preferred way, a quiet strength under control.

See also: 2 Corinthians 13:10.