Chapter 4
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
3But 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.
4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
6And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
7For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
8Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
9For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
11Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
12And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
13Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
14I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
15For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
17For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
18Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
19But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
20For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
21What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
“For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”
Overview
Paul describes himself and the other apostles as stewards of the mysteries of God who must be found faithful. He rebukes the Corinthians' prideful attitude, contrasting their self-satisfaction with the apostles' suffering and humiliation for the sake of Christ. He urges them to imitate him as their spiritual father and warns that he will come to them not with words only but with power.
Key Themes
Faithful Stewardship
Ministers are stewards of God's mysteries, and their primary requirement is faithfulness — God alone is the competent judge of their service, not human opinion.
The Suffering of the Apostles
Paul contrasts the Corinthians' pride with the apostles' experience of being made a spectacle, being hungry, reviled, persecuted, and counted as the offscouring of the world.
Spiritual Fatherhood
Though they may have many instructors, Paul reminds them he begat them through the gospel and urges them to follow his example as their spiritual father.
Study Questions
What does it mean to be a faithful steward of the mysteries of God (v. 2), and how does this apply to every believer?
Why does Paul warn against judging 'before the time' (v. 5), and how should this affect how we evaluate ministries?
How does the contrast between the Corinthians' pride and the apostles' suffering challenge our expectations of the Christian life?
What does Paul mean when he says 'the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power' (v. 20)?
How should Paul's call to 'be ye followers of me' (v. 16) be understood — is it arrogant, or is it an essential part of discipleship?
Connection to Christ
Paul is a steward of the mysteries of God — mysteries that center on Christ and His redemptive work. The apostles' willingness to suffer shame and hardship mirrors the pattern of Christ, who humbled Himself and endured the cross for the joy set before Him.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through 1 Corinthians 4. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?