Commentary of the Book of 1st Corinthians
By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins
Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible
Bible Study 1 Corinthians 4: 1-21
Text:
Servants of Christ
4 Let a man consider us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 In this case, moreover, it is required [a]of stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human [b]court. In fact, I do not even examine myself. 4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted. But the one who examines me is the Lord. 5 Therefore do not go on [c]passing judgment before [d]the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and make manifest the motives of hearts. And then each one’s praise will come to him from God.
6 Now these things, brothers, I have applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to go beyond what is written, so that no one of you will become puffed up on behalf of one against the other. 7 For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
8 You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have ruled without us—and how I wish that you had ruled indeed so that we also might rule with you. 9 For, I think that God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are prudent in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are glorious, but we are without honor! 11 To this present hour we hunger and thirst, and are poorly clothed, and roughly treated, and homeless; 12 and we labor, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; 13 when we are slandered, we try to plead; we have become as the scum of the world, the grime of all things, even until now.
14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and who will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church. 18 Now some have become puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall know, not the [e]words of those who are puffed up but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in [f]words but in power. 21 What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?
Verse by verse commentary:
Verse 1: “Let a man consider us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
The tone of judgment and attack directed at Paul by some of the Corinthians is evident in these verses. The term "mystery" refers to a truth previously "kept secret for long ages" and "not made known . . . in other generations." This truth has now been clearly unveiled to those who possess the Spirit and are living in "the end of the ages."
Verse 2: “ In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found faithful.”
Obedient loyalty to one's master is the single most vital quality of a servant or steward.
Verse 3: “ But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court. In fact, I do not even examine myself.”
Only God can ultimately determine a person's faithfulness, despite the individual having a clear conscience.
Verse 4: “For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted. But the one who examines me is the Lord.”
Although Paul was unaware of any unconfessed or ongoing sin in his own life, he understood that his limited self-assessment was not the final judgment. His own sincere evaluation of his life did not guarantee his complete faithfulness. The Lord alone is the ultimate and only qualified Judge of any person's obedience and faithfulness.
Verse 5: “Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and make manifest the motives of hearts. And then each one’s praise will come to him from God.”
God alone knows the "hidden" inner motives, thoughts, and attitudes that drive us. Because ultimate rewards will be based on this inward devotion, and not solely on outward service, only God can truly grant the praise each person merits.
Verse 6: “Now these things, brothers, I have applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to go beyond what is written, so that no one of you will become puffed up on behalf of one against the other.”
A core issue within the Corinthian church was division, which Paul addresses by using his relationship with Apollos as an illustration. Both Paul and Apollos were united in Christ and actively using their spiritual gifts. It is essential for us today to heed the reminder that we must "not go beyond what is written," meaning the authority of the Scriptures.
Verse 7: “ For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”
Since everything a person has comes from God's provision, pride is a form of self-deception. Therefore, why should anyone "boast"?
Verse 8: “You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have ruled without us—and how I wish that you had ruled indeed so that we also might rule with you.”
Paul's words to the Corinthians were a severe rebuke, yet delivered with a sarcastic tone of false praise. He suggested that their self-satisfaction mirrored an undeserved spiritual greatness, much like the Laodiceans described in Revelation. Despite this rebuke, Paul sincerely wished that the Millennial "coronation time" had actually arrived, so that all of them, including the Corinthians, could genuinely share in the glory of the Lord.
Verse 9: “For, I think that God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men.”
The apostles were, in God's sovereign wisdom and for His glory, displayed before men and angels as if they were the final, condemned spectacles in a Roman arena—worthless and destined for slaughter. This imagery is one of condemned prisoners brought out to fight and die. Like these doomed gladiators, they endured ridicule, spitting, imprisonment, and beatings. Nevertheless, God used them to build His kingdom, thereby glorifying His name through their suffering.
Verse 10: “We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are prudent in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are glorious, but we are without honor!”
Paul again uses sarcasm, this time directed at himself as if adopting the scornful attitude the arrogant Corinthians had toward him, in order to reprimand them.
Verse 11: “To this present hour we hunger and thirst, and are poorly clothed, and roughly treated, and homeless;”
The contrast was severe: the apostles and early preachers endured the suffering and low social status of slaves, while the Corinthian believers saw themselves as "kings" (v. 8). Prosperity preachers, take note of this verse!
Verse 12: “and we labor, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;”
Paul willingly engaged in manual labor to support his gospel preaching, despite the fact that Greeks—including some members of the Corinthian church—viewed such work as undignified and suitable only for slaves. He did not harbor resentment about having to perform necessary labor to support the ministry.
Verse 13: “when we are slandered, we try to plead; we have become as the scum of the world, the grime of all things, even until now.”
One cannot fully comprehend the extent of the Apostle Paul's suffering in his efforts to disseminate the gospel of Jesus Christ. His ministry extended throughout Asia Minor, and it is documented that every inhabitant of the province of Asia, both Jew and Gentile, received the Word of God.
Verse 14: “I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.”
These verses reveal Paul’s deep pastoral concern. The strong language used earlier was not meant to make the Corinthians feel inferior, but rather to heighten their awareness of the truth.
Verse 15: “For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.”
Paul addresses the Corinthians' prideful claims of loyalty to other leaders like Apollos and Peter, which implied they no longer needed him. He counters by asserting his unique, foundational role as their spiritual father, reminding them that their attacks against him are therefore unwarranted.
Verse 16: “Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.”
Spiritual leaders are called to offer a bold yet warranted example, demonstrating a Christlike character for others to follow.
Verse 17: “For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and who will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.”
Paul had so completely and faithfully discipled Timothy that he could confidently send him as his representative, knowing Timothy would follow his teachings. Timothy was to reinforce the eternal truths Paul had imparted, not merely offer advice, but present sound doctrine through both his instruction and his personal example.
Verse 18: “Now some have become puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.”
Some Corinthians accused Paul of being brave only when he was away from them, suggesting he was afraid of a face-to-face meeting (2 Cor 10: 1,2). While he has sent Timothy, perhaps to avoid a difficult confrontation, Paul makes it clear he will come in person if necessary. The nature of that visit, however, depends on the Corinthians' actions.
Verse 19: “But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall know, not the [a]words of those who are puffed up but their power.”
Paul states that his concern is not primarily with their rhetoric, but rather with the manifestation of power, i.e. holy living, in their personal lives.
Verse 20: “For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power.”
True spiritual quality is demonstrated not through eloquent speech, but through the strength and power of a holy life.
Verse 21: “What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?”
Habitual sin necessitates the use of the rod of correction by spiritual leaders. Chapter 5 details and exemplifies a method for this necessary discipline.
