| 1 Corinthians – Chapter Four |
Chapter summary – Paul started chapter three by calling the Corinthian believer’s attention to the carnality of their actions and attitudes. In verse 5 of chapter three, Paul began to layout the cure for their canality. He continues with this cure in chapter five through verse 13. Paul wraps up the chapter by sharing his concerns over this major conflict.
2. the cure of the Conflict, (3:5-4:13)
11) The assessment of the Pastor’s work must be left up to the Lord, (1-5),
John MacArthur writes about this passage,
“A popular game played by many Christians is that of evaluating pastors. All kinds of criteria are used to determine who are the most successful, the most influential, the most gifted, the most effective. Some magazines periodically make surveys and write up extensive reports, carefully ranking the pastors by church membership, attendance at worship services, sizes of church staff and Sunday school, academic and honorary degrees, books and articles written, numbers of messages given at conferences and conventions, and so on. As popular as that practice may be, it is exceedingly offensive to God.
First Corinthians 4:1–5 focuses on the true nature and marks of God’s ministers. It sets forth the basic guidelines and standards by which ministers are to minister and be evaluated. It deals with what the congregation’s attitude toward the minister should be and what the minister’s attitude toward himself should be. In short, it puts the minister of God in God’s perspective. Paul makes it dear that popularity, personality, degrees, and numbers play no role in the Lord’s perspective—and that they should play no role in ours.[1]
(1) The task to be assessed, (1)
Interpretation:
1 (Assuming that the servant minister is a true and called man of God), Let a man (each individual believer), so consider (or regard), us (Paul, Apollos, Cephas and other fellow workers), as servants (subordinates),[2] of Christ (first and foremost), and (then), stewards (house managers),[3] of the mysteries (the wisdom, knowledge and understanding), of God, (which only He can reveal to man).
Application:
Paul, though an apostle, considered himself to be a hupēretēs, [hoop—ay—ret—ace, a servant], a galley slave, of his Lord, and he wanted everyone else to consider him, and all of God’s ministers, as that. Galley slaves were not exalted one above the other. They had a common rank, the lowest. They had the hardest labor, the cruelest punishment, the least appreciation, and in general the most hopeless existence of all slaves. As Paul had already written, “What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants [diakonoi] through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one” (3:5). A minister of Christ can be useful only as the Lord gives opportunity and power: “So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth” (3:7).[4]
A minister who becomes so occupied with counseling and helping his congregation and community that he spends little time in the Word is unable to meet those people’s deepest needs, because he has neglected his greatest resource for correctly knowing and adequately meeting those needs. That usually leads to compromising God’s truth for the sake of peoples’ desires. Before all else he must be a servant of Jesus Christ, “serving the Lord with all humility” (Acts 20:19). Then, and only then, can he best serve people.[5]
(2) The criterion for the assessment, (2)
2 Moreover (concerning this matter), it is required in stewards that one be found faithful, (trustworthy—or he will bring his Master’s house to ruin).[6]
“God’s ministers are not called to be creative but obedient, not innovative but faithful.”[7] There is nothing wrong with being creative and innovative, but they are not part of God’s job discription for the pastor.
Warren Wiersbe comments, “The responsibility of the steward is to be faithful to his master. A steward may not please the members of the household; he may not even please some of the other servants; but if he pleases his own master, he is a good steward. This same idea is expressed in Romans 14:4.”[8]
John MacAuthur notes here that, “God supplies His Word, His Spirit, His gifts, and His power. All that the minister can supply is his faithfulness in using those resources. The work is demanding but is basically simple: taking God’s Word and feeding it faithfully to His people—dispensing the mysteries of God, proclaiming the hidden truths He has made known. There is to be no glory here, ranking one above the other. The best that any minister can be is faithful, which is just fulfilling the basic requirement.”[9]
(3) The Person who assesses, (3, 4)
1a Not you, (3a)
3a But with me it is a very small thing (lit., it amounts to a very small matter), that I should be judged (does not mean to sentence, but to be investigated, questioned, evaluated), by you (Corinthian believers), or (even), by a human court, (a group of sanctioned individuals)[10]
2a Not me, (3b)
3b In fact, I do not (assume to be able to), even judge myself, (beyond faithful obedience).
From a human stand point Paul was not even qualified of accurately judging his own work, attitudes and motives—much less those of others. There are probably many pastors who are going to get far less rewards than they think they are going to get, as well as many pastors who will receive far greater rewards than they expect (2 Cor. 3:18).[11]
3a Just the Lord, (4)
4 For I know of nothing against myself (I’m not aware of anything amiss in my life or ministry), yet (even so), I am not justified by this (i.e., just because I am not aware of anything wrong doesn’t prove my innocence necessarily); but He who (continually), judges me is the Lord, (and only the Lord truly knows me, my motives and attitudes perfectly).
(a) Only God knows all the circumstances. He knows the struggles a man has had; he knows the secrets that a man can tell to no one; he knows what a man might have sunk to and he also knows he might have climbed to.
(b) Only God knows all the motives. “Man sees the deed but God sees the intention [of the heart].” Many a deed that looks noble may have been done from the most selfish and ignoble motives; and many a deed which looks base may have been done from the highest motives. He who made the human heart alone knows it and can judge it.
We would do well to remember two things—first even if we escape all other judgments or shut our eyes to them, we cannot escape the judgment of God; and, second, judgment belongs to God and we do well not to judge any man.[12]
These verses must not be used to cultivate a self-righteous independence of people. The local church is a family, and members of the family must help each other to grow. There is a place for honest, loving criticism (Eph. 4:15). If the critic is right, then he has helped us. If he is wrong, then we can help him. Either way, the truth is strengthened. [13]
(4) The time of the assessment, (5a)
5a Therefore (inlight of the fact that we cannot even adaquately judge ourselves and thus the Lord only can and will, we must resist the temptation to play God), judge nothing before the time (because if you do, it will be premature, faulty, and incomplete, as well as wrong), until the Lord comes, (at the Judgment Seat of Christ)
(5) The result of the assessment, (5b)
5b who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness (the things that we are not aware of, the things that are hidden from human perception and understanding), and reveal the counsels (the secret motives), of the hearts.[14] Then each one’s (appropriate or due), praise will come from God, (not from others or even from himself. God is the One who will appropriatly reward every individual for his life’s service).
Others’ Evaluation
A caring minister of Christ cannot be insensitive to the feelings, needs, and opinions of his people. He should not try to be. A sincere word of appreciation after a sermon is encouraging, and reflects spiritual concern and growth in the listeners life. A word of helpful criticism can be a needed corrective and even a blessing. But no minister can remain faithful to his calling if he lets his congregation, or any other human beings, decide how true his motives are or whether he is working within the Lord’s will. Because their knowledge and understanding of the facts are imperfect, their criticisms and compliments are imperfect. In humility and love, God’s minister must not allow himself to care about other people’s evaluations of his ministry.
His Own Evaluation
Spiritual introspection is dangerous. Known sin must be faced and confessed, and known shortcomings are to be prayed about and worked on for improvement. But no Christian, no matter how advanced in the faith, is able to properly evaluate his own spiritual life. Before we know it, we will be ranking ourselves, classifying ourselves—and discover that a great deal of time is being spent in thinking of nothing but ourselves. The bias in our own favor and the tendency of the flesh toward self–justification make this a dangerous project.
Paul had long followed the counsel he gave to Timothy: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God” (2 Tim. 2:15). He was not concerned about presenting himself to others for approval, or even to himself for approval, but only to His Lord.
God’s Evaluation
God has a day planned when He will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts. Those two phrases refer to the attitudes of the inner man, which only God can see. Ultimate judgment of every kind, including the evaluation of His servants’ ministries, will be by Him and in His time. God’s people, including the ministers themselves, have no business passing judgment before [that] time. We see only the outside, the visible, and cannot know what is hidden in the recesses of the soul.
We do know, however, that the rewards given will not be based on the degrees behind our name, the numbers we have preached to or witnessed to, the programs we have planned and directed, the books we have written, or even the number of converts won to Christ through us. It will be based on one thing alone: the motives (boulē, “secret thoughts”) of [our] hearts.
One of the marvelous experiences we will have on that day will be to realize that many dear saints, completely unknown to the world and perhaps hardly known to fellow believers, will receive reward after reward after reward from the Lord’s hands—because their works were of gold, silver, and precious stones. Their hearts will have been pure, their works will have been precious, and their rewards will be great.
Because God will reward according to the motives of men’s hearts, our single purpose in life should be that, “whether, then [we] eat or drink or whatever [we] do, [we] do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). That motive should determine everything we think and do.
Paul’s purpose here is to show that because all ministers are no more than servants and stewards, because neither we nor they can properly evaluate the value and worth of their ministry, and because God alone can and will give the proper estimate in a future reckoning day, it is not only destructive but ridiculous to cause divisions in the church by arguing over who is the most honored servant.[15]
Blessed is God’s ambassador who is not in bonds—bonds of habit, shackling sins of flesh or spirit, bonds within or bonds without, in his own family or church or among the ecclesiastics over him, bonds that quench the Spirit and stifle his message until he is a parrot instead of a prophet.
Vance Havner[16]
12) All pastoral distinctions being of the Lord leaves no room to elevate one over another, (6, 7)
6 Now these things (the exaltation of human wisdom and one spiritual leader over another), brethren, I have figuratively transferred (related), to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that (in order that), you may learn in us (or through our example), not to think (go or practice), beyond what is written (beyond the instruction and boundries of God’s Word), that none of you may be puffed up (think himself better/superior than another), on behalf of one against the other, (because you are a discple of a perceived better spiritual leader).
7 For who makes you differ from another? (Who gives you your distinct qualities? The answer obvously being God.) And what do you have that you did not receive? (Nothing!) Now if you did indeed receive it (from God), why do you boast (about yourself), as if you had not received it, (but acquired it all on your own)?[17]
Bob’s friend John asked him, “Did anyone ever tell you how wonderful you are?”
With wide smile and a bit of a swager, John replied, “No, I don’t believe anyone ever did.”
“Then where’d you ever get the crazy idea to begin with?” Bob asked.
Some are proud because they have fine voices. Some are proud of their ability to teach or preach. Others are proud of their honesty or kindness. We can and should rejoice in the special abilities each of us has. But we are not to be proud of them, as though our ability makes us better than others. Paul sums up the reason in one verse: “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” Praise God for any gift that makes you special, but don’t be proud. After all, it is a gift![18]
Who does God say is more important—the rich or the poor, the multi-talented or the one with a single talent, the very intellegent or the one with even below average intellegence, the phisically strong or weak? Neither. Why? Because God has made them all. Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; for they are all the work of His hands. (Job 34:19)
13) Because all pastors are still working out their faith and ministries, it is premature to acclaim them now, (8-13)
(1) You think you have arrived, (8)
8 You are already full, (satisfied, fulfilled)! You are already rich (you have everything you think you need or want)! You have reigned as kings without us (you think it doesn’t get any better than this)—and indeed I could wish you did (actually), reign (I wish it were true), that we also might reign with you, (but you have your head in the clouds—this is no more the mellenial kingdom than hell is glory—you’re life is filled with spiritual needs)![19]
(2) We are still in the thick of it, (9-13)
9 (I wish we did reign as kings) For I think (or it seems to me), that God has displayed us, the apostles, last (God doesn’t put us on a pedistal—we are dispised men—“displayed us” is a term used of gladiators who were “displayed” forced to enter the arena with the sole purpose to fight and die there), as men condemned to death (as all the apostles but John were condemned to martyrdom); for we have been made a spectacle (a theater, a public show, made sport of) to the world, both to (evil) angels and to (unsaved) men.[20]
Ever been made fun of? The apostles understood what Christ was saying when He said, “the last shall be first, and the first shall be last…,” (Matt. 16a).
10 We (apostles) are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise (or are kings), in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!
Jim Elliot: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” [21]
11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.
12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;
13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.
15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
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 wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.
20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
Commentary:
[1]MacArthur, John. 1 Corinthians..
[2] Servants (hupēretēs) [hoop—ay—ret—ace], means literally, “under rowers,” originally indicating the lowest galley slaves, the ones rowing on the bottom tier of a ship. They were the most menial, unenvied, and despised of slaves. From that meaning the term came to refer to subordinates of any sort, to those under the authority of another.
Christian ministers are first and above all else servants of Christ. In everything they are subordinate and subject to Him. They are called to serve men in Christ’s name; but they cannot serve men rightly unless they serve their Lord rightly. And they cannot serve Him rightly unless they see themselves rightly: as His under-slaves, His menial servants. MacArthur, John. 1 Corinthians.
[3] Ministers of the gospel are also stewards of the mysteries of God. The Greek (oikonomos) for steward literally means “house manager,” a person placed in complete control of a household. The steward supervised the property, the fields and vineyards, the finances, the food, and the other servants on behalf of his master. MacArthur, John. 1 Corinthians (E.g., Joseph over Potiphar’s house, the jailer’s prision, and the Pharoh’s kingdom)
[4] MacArthur, John. 1 Corinthians
[5]MacArthur, John. 1 Corinthians
[6] God desires that His spiritual ministers be consistently obedient to His Word, unwavering in their commitment to be faithful. He does not require brilliance or cleverness or creativeness or popularity. He can use servants with those qualities, but only trustworthiness is absolutely essential. MacArthur, John. 1 Corinthians. (cp., Matt. 24:45, 46—“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. )
[7] MacArthur, John. 1 Corinthians
[8] Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Ro 14:4—Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
[9] MacArthur, John. 1 Corinthians
[10] Human court (anthrōpinēs hēmeras) literally means “human day,” that is, a day in a human court. No human being, or group of human beings, is qualified to examine and evaluate God’s servants. No Christian, and in this context especially God’s ministers, should be concerned about any such evaluation. Only God knows the truth. MacArthur, John. 1 Corinthians
[11] 2 Co 3:18—But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” We must as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”
[12] The Letters to the Corinthians. Edited by Barclay, William
[13] Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary
[14] 1 Co 10:3131Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
[15] MacArthur, John. 1 Corinthians
[16] Barton, Bruce B., and Grant R. Osborne. 1 & 2 Corinthians. Life application Bible commentary
[17] Jas 1:17—Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
1 Ch 29:11-16—Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all. 12 Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. 13 “Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name. 14 But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You. 15 For we are aliens and pilgrims before You, As were all our fathers; Our days on earth are as a shadow, And without hope. 16 “O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own.
[18] Richards, Larry. The Bible Reader’s Companion.
[19] Re 3:1717Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—Re 3:1818I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
[20] The apostles were laid out for show and made sport of just like Christ was when He was put on trial, as He carried His cross to Galgotha, and as He hung on the cross.
[21]Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary : An Exposition of Athe New Testament Comprising the Entire “BE” Series. electronic ed., 1 Co 4:7. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1989; Published in electronic form by Logos Research Systems, 1996.
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