1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 4:1

The literal meaning of the Greek word huperetes, translated “minister,” is “under-oarsman.” An under-oarsman was a slave on the lowest deck of the ship who simply followed the cadence of the drummer. What does it mean to be a minister? It doesn’t mean to set the course or determine direction, but rather to simply do what the Captain of the ship, Jesus Christ, tells us to do, knowing that He will bring us to the right destination. The word “steward” refers to the slave who knew the location of his master’s wealth. As seen in Genesis 39, Joseph was this type of a slave to Potiphar. As faithful stewards in ministry, we’re to be able to know the location of the riches of Scripture. Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.Mat_13:52 Jesus is talking about the ability to relocate the illustrations, types, and stories of the Old Testament to His own lifeand later to the entire New Testament. Read your Bible, dear brother. Don’t give up, precious sister. But I’m reading through Leviticus right now, and I don’t understand a thing, you might be thinking. That’s okay. Keep reading because you’re feeding your inner man, and in due season, you will understand even the Book of Leviticus to a much greater degree than you do now. With drought ravaging the land, Jehoram, king of Israel, called for Elisha the prophet. “Here’s what you are to do,” said Elisha. “Dig ditches here in the dry sand.” The people did, and the next day, the ditches were filled with water (2 Kings 3). So, too, water being a type of the Word (Psa_119:9; Joh_15:3; Eph_5:26), we’re to keep digging ditcheseven if it’s dry. And eventually, the refreshing springs of Scripture will flow into our hearts. Why did the Lord write the Bible the way He did? Why didn’t He simply write Section I: Marriage. Section II: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Section III: Bible Prophecy. That’s the way I would have written it. But the Lord in His infinite wisdom says, “Analogies and stories, pictures and genealogies will be mysteries to the carnal mind. On the other hand, they will be exciting, applicable, and wonderful to any man of any age in any culture who plugs away studying them day after week after month after year after decade.”

1 Corinthians 4:2

I’m not required to be successfulonly faithful. The most successful minister in the Old Testament was a prophet who caused people to get saved everywhere he went. Not only did the entire crew of the boat in which he traveled get saved, but the entire population of Ninevehperhaps numbering two milliongot saved as well (Jon_3:5). Contrast Jonah with another prophet who preached for thirty years without seeing a single conversion. If Jonah were alive today, books would be written about him. Conferences would feature him. Videos would be made of him. Jeremiah? He’d be sitting in the back row of one of Jonah’s seminars. But in God’s economy, so impacting was Jeremiah that when Jesus came on the scene, no one ever mistook Him for Jonah. They thought He was Jeremiah (Mat_16:14). Be faithful, gang. You might not be noticed, applauded, or patted on the back. That’s okay. Neither was Jeremiah.

1 Corinthians 4:3

“I’m not worried about your judging me,” said Paul to the Corinthians. “In fact, I don’t even put much stock in my own assessment of myself.” Some people are constantly down on themselvesbut the Lord isn’t. Others have a perfectly clear consciencewhen, in reality, all they have is a bad memory. Because the heart is deceitfully and desperately wicked (Jer_17:9), Paul was exceedingly wise to leave judgment to the Lord.

1 Corinthians 4:5

The only judgment that matters will be at the bema seat of Christ, where all of our works will be tried by fire. Therefore, it is neither our place nor our calling to judge others or ourselves. This doesn’t mean that when the Lord comes back, all the dark stuff we did will be brought to light. No, the blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed us so completely that God will “remember no more” our sins and iniquities (Heb_10:17). Paul is referring to the things we can only see through a glass darkly (1Co_13:12)why the Lord is doing certain things and why He isn’t doing other things; why some people suffer and others don’t; why God answers some requests but denies others. When He comes back, everything that now seems dark to usseeming contradictions of His character, seeming violations of His naturewill be seen in the light of His unspeakable glory. The result? Everyone will praise God for His wisdom and righteousness in all things (Rev_19:2).

1 Corinthians 4:6

“I’ve used Apollos and myself as illustrations of those who work together, who labor in the same field, members of the same holy temple, the same building,” says Paul. “We’re both yours. Don’t divide yourselves over us or become puffed up concerning us.”

1 Corinthians 4:7

Paul, the theologian par excellence, had a mind sharper and keener than any other. Apollos, polished orator, impressed people with his rhetoric and powerful personality. God made them both. Who makes us different from one another? God. Who gifts us differently and individually? God. So why do we glory in ourselves or in any other person when it’s God who made every one of us the way we are? To Him be all gloryfor His creativity and sense of humor in making and using people like us!

1 Corinthians 4:8

Lest the Corinthians thought Paul lucky to be so gifted, he said, “You have it easy compared to what we go through daily. We’re beaten and defamed. We don’t even have a place to hang our hats. We’re put down, mocked, and persecuted.” Paul makes a very important point about ministry when he says, “Be careful that you don’t think everyone is lucky, gifted, blessed but you.” I can’t begin to imagine what our brother, Billy Graham, goes throughthe temptations, pressures, and subtle maneuvering of the Enemy directed at him. So be content where the Lord has you planted and serve Him boldly in that place.

1 Corinthians 4:14

What does it mean to be a spiritual father? In the lives of those you lead to the Lord or nurture in the Lord, you will see the process unfold whereby they will look to you for a number of years and think you can do no wrong. Then, as they go through spiritual adolescence, they will think you can do no right. And finally, they will come into maturity when they will say, “Right or wrong, you are my spiritual father, and I appreciate you.”

1 Corinthians 4:16

Spiritual fathersboth men and womenhow I pray we can say what Paul said when he said, “Follow me. Do what I do.”

1 Corinthians 4:17

“I’m coming shortly,” Paul says. “Will that day be a festival of love, or a day of discipline?” So, too, Jesus said, “Surely I come quickly” (Rev_22:20). And when He does, will we hear Him say, “Depart from Me” or, “Well done, good and faithful servant”?