1 Corinthians 4

Grace to you, and peace,

Continuing in the first letter of Paul to the Corinthian church, we come to chapter 4. The memory passage for chapter 4 is;

1 Corinthians 4:1-2, 15-17 (ESV) ¹ This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. ² Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. ¹⁵ For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. ¹⁶ I urge you, then, be imitators of me. ¹⁷ That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

The outline theme is Correct Ministry of Christians.

This chapter begins with a very clear picture of Christ-followers; 'servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God' (4:1). This verse is key to understanding the correct position and role of Christ-followers. Humility is not having a low opinion of yourself, but a correct opinion of your self in relationship to God and others. Paul writes that apostles are 'servants' and 'stewards'. Not masters or owners, but ones who serve the Master and vessels who are used to obey and proclaim the message of the Owner. We apply this to ourselves through Paul's appeal in v16; 'I urge you, then, be imitators of me'. So we are to faithfully serve our Lord Jesus Christ and carry His message on earth until He returns. Paul does include a qualification for stewards; that they be trustworthy (1:2).

Verses 3-6 touch on the issue of proper judgment of yourselves and others. Paul argues that human judgment of you does not matter; even your own judgment of you. You may be completely innocent in your own eyes but the Lord is the only true Judge. So if we can't even judge ourselves, we should not spend time judging others. The Lord will judge when He comes (1:5) and nothing is hidden from His sight (Heb 4:13). Again in humility, Paul reminds them that this same standard applies to himself and Apollos; the leaders as well as the flock.

In the following verses, 7-13, Paul deals directly with the misguided priorities and aspirations of the Corinthian church. He reminds them that everything they have has been given to them, even though they might try to take credit for some of it. If God's plan were for them all to become rich and powerful, Paul would love to be rich and powerful with them. But he quickly reminds them of the path of the cross. Not wisdom, strength, and honor in the worlds eyes, but foolishness, weakness and disrepute. Paul says that they are hungry, thirsty, poorly dressed, roughly treated, homeless; we work hard with our hands and yet are reviled, persecuted, slandered and called scum and garbage. Preaching Christ crucified is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles (1:23); they do not understand and they do not accept the message or the messengers. THIS is the path of the cross; not glory and honor and riches on this earth.

Even with these harsh words and rebukes, Paul reminds them that his love for them is fatherly. It is for their own good that he admonishes them.

The memory passage gives us an interesting insight into Paul's view of ministry. The focus here is very familial. They have guides in Christ, but not many fathers in Christ. Paul led them to the Lord and taught them as children with spiritual milk (3:2). He is their 'father' in the faith (not confused at all with their Heavenly Father) through the Gospel. So he sent Timothy, another of his children in the Lord, to teach and remind them of Paul's ways in Christ; both his doctrine and behavior. Paul's teaching is not fickle or subjective, but true across the board in every place he lives and preaches. The same expectations apply to all churches and all believers, not just the Corinthians.

If people in the church were misbehaving because they thought Paul would never return, he reminds them that it is his desire to return if the Lord wills. And when he does, he will not rely on the power of his words, but on the power of God working through Him. As their father in Christ, he asks if they desire gentleness or discipline when he returns.

How does this affect my worship?
Worship leaders and worship pastors have a unique role in the 'stewardship of the mysteries of God'. We lead the people of God in praise and worship of God through song and expression. This is a powerful aspect of our being that can be easily manipulated or misdirected. When a worship service is about the music or the 'feeling' or the quality of the band it robs the glory from God and diminishes the mystery. I'm challenged today to make our worship More of Him and less of us. To be a trustworthy steward of God's mystery and a faithful servant of Christ, a worship leader must be subject to the work of Holy Spirit in preparation, rehearsal and every moment of leading the congregation. Never lose the wonder.

How does this affect my discipleship?
I have been graciously privileged to become someone's 'father in Christ' as well as being many peoples' 'guide in Christ' (4:15). Paul says that sometimes you plant and sometimes you water (3:6) but it is always God who gives the growth. As disciplemakers, sometimes you take a newly planted seed and nurture it; sometimes you must start with a field and plant the seeds yourself; and other times you may simply water an established plant for a while until it is prepared to produce on it's own. Depending on the people God places in your life, each aspect of discipleship may come up as you seek to be obedient to God. But always remember that God is the one who gives the growth, in you and the disciple, and to be faithful in whatever role He may have for you. He then, is the one who will reward you for your labor in His kingdom.

God's grace and peace to you today,

Ethan