Category: 1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 4:5 – All Knowing Judge

Posted on by Will

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.

Truth to Learn

Let God be the judge of other people’s ministry.

Behind the Words

The words “judge nothing” are from mē … ti krinete. Mē is the relative negative, which could refer either to ti or krinete. Ti means “a thing” and krinete is the command form of krinō, which means “to make a judicial decision.” So, this phrase could mean “do not judge anything” or “judge nothing.”

“Time” is from kairos, which refers to “an occasion.” Given the context, it most likely refers to “until the Lord comes.”

The words “bring to light” are translated from the verb phōtidzō, meaning “to shine light upon” or “to make one see or understand.”

The word translated “hidden” is kruptos, which is based on the verb kruptō, meaning “to keep secret or hidden.” This kruptos refers to that which is secret or hidden.

Skotos is the Greek word translated “darkness.” It can refer either to physical or spiritual darkness.

“Counsels” is from boulē, which refers to “will” or “intention,” indicating deliberation and reflection.

Meaning Explained

Having just said that he is not aware of any act of malpractice or negligence regarding his ministry in Corinth and that God will be the judge of such, Paul now gives us all a command. He says, “Don’t judge anyone’s faithfulness in ministry.” After all, the Lord is the only valid judge. He does not simply look at the surface evidence. God, as it says of His word, “is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) When we stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, our works done for God will be rightly judged by Him who sees our real motives and intentions.

We all tend to judge the work of others, whether it is holy or selfishly motivated. But, our judgment is flawed because we don’t really know what’s in a person’s heart. A classic example of this is given regarding the Prophet Samuel who was in the process of selecting and anointing the future king of Israel from the sons of Jesse. Upon seeing Jesse’s son Eliab, Samuel thought that surely this must be the one, but God said:

Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

When our day of judgment does come, we will each receive the praise that we deserve. But that praise will not come from those to whom and with whom we minister. It will come from the only one that matters, God Himself.

Application

No matter what your ministry, whether it is “up front” where everyone sees you or “behind the scenes” where no one sees you, do it humbly and for the purpose of giving praise to God. He knows your heart and your motives. Therefore, keep your focus on Him and don’t be concerned about what others think of your service. I suspect that some janitors or nursery workers will get more praise from God than their pastors will.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Corinthians 4:4 – The Final Judge

Posted on by Will

For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.

Truth to Learn

Serve God with diligence and with a humble spirit. Don’t worry about what others say.

Behind the Words

“I know” is translated from the Greek verb suneidō, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and eidō, meaning “to know.” Together they mean “to be consciously aware of.” It is expressed in the perfect tense, indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect, where the emphasis is on the effect.

The word “nothing” is from oudeis, which is made up of ou, meaning “not” and heis, meaning “one” or “one thing.” So, oudeis literally means “not one thing.”

Dikaioō is the word translated “justified.” It means “to bring out the fact that a person is righteous or without fault.” It is also expressed here in the perfect tense.

The word “judges” is translated from anakrinō, which we saw in yesterday’s verse meaning, “to discern, to decide, or to judge.” It is expressed as a present tense participle, indicating continuous ongoing action. We could paraphrase the end of this verse as “He who is continuously examining me is the Lord.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse, Paul boldly proclaimed that it is a very little thing to him if he is judged by the Corinthians or even a court of law (remember, this literally reads “man’s day”). He went on to say that he does not even make judgment against himself. In today’s verse he clarifies this last statement. He says that he is not consciously aware of anything against himself. In classical Greek literature, the expression he used means “I am not conscious regarding myself of any guilt or neglect of duty.” He is not claiming to have reached a state of sinlessness (which some refer to as “complete sanctification”), rather he is saying that regarding his ministry in Corinth, he is not aware of any malpractice or negligence of duty. He did what God called him to do and he did it wholeheartedly for God, not for himself.

He quickly follows this up with, “yet I am not justified by this.” In other words, just because he is not consciously aware of any faults in his ministry, it does not mean that he is claiming himself guiltless. He leaves here the possibility that he may have committed some act of neglect or malpractice in his ministry to the Corinthians. If so, he simply states that he is not aware of such an act.

In a final statement on the subject, Paul proclaims what should be obvious to any Christian: God is the Judge and final authority on all thoughts and actions of all Christians. If Paul had committed any neglect or malpractice while ministering to the Corinthians, he knows that God will judge such actions. That’s why it is such a small concern to him regarding what people in Corinth say.

Application

Each one of us has responsibilities that God has given us in spreading the gospel message and in building up His church. We are to perform such duties in complete subservience to God, not concerning ourselves with what others say about it. If we are doing our part as a totally committed servant, giving Him all the glory, then we needn’t be concerned about what others say. Give all you have and keep your eyes on Him!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Corinthians 4:3 – The Master’s Judgment

Posted on by Will

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.

Truth to Learn

Don’t worry about what others say but what God says.

Behind the Words

“With” is translated from the Greek preposition eis, meaning “to” or “into.” Thus, this could be translated as “But to me …”

The words “a very small thing” are from the word elachistos. This is the superlative or mikros, meaning “small.” The use of elachistos here could mean “the smallest thing,” but it is more likely that it means “a very little thing.”

“I should be judged” is from the verb anakrinō. It is made up of ana, meaning “up,” used here as an intensifier, and krinō, meaning “to discern, to decide, or to judge.” Anakrinō means “to scrutinize” or “to investigate.” It is expressed in the passive voice, indicating action done to the subject, and the subjunctive mood, indicating the possibility or probability of action.

“A human court” is translated from two words, anthrōpinos and hēmera. Anthrōpinos means “that which belongs to man” and hēmera means “day” or “daytime.” Thus, this literally means “man’s day.” Paul is making a contrast between man’s day (a human court) and the Day of the Lord.

Meaning Explained

This is a verse which is easy to misinterpret. Paul is not saying that he rejects personal opinion or the validity of a human court. And, the issue at hand is not whether Paul is more popular with the people than Peter or Apollos. He doesn’t care about such favoritism and, in fact, has criticized such actions. This is the very thing which has caused the divisions in the church. What he is saying is that regarding his own ministry, he is only concerned about what God thinks of him.

In Luke 12:35-48, Jesus teaches a parable about living a life focused on God and serving with Him in mind. In verses 42 through 48 he talks specifically about a wise steward (oikonomos, the same word translated “steward” in yesterday’s verse). He teaches that the wise steward performs his duties believing that his master is going to return some day and reward him for his faithful service. But, the unwise steward doesn’t believe his master will return soon and resorts to the ways of the world, focusing on immediate gratification. When the master does return, the unwise steward will receive harsh judgment, but the wise (faithful) servant will be rewarded. If a servant of God is faithful in his own personal life, in his home, and in his ministry, then as a wise steward he will be adequately rewarded by his Master when He returns.

In today’s verse, Paul is saying essentially the same thing about his own ministry. He is not concerned about how people will perceive him. He is focused on serving his Master and what He thinks of Paul’s service. In fact, Paul goes on to say that he is not concerned about his own judgment of himself. He knows his imperfections, but he is not biased by his own self-love in evaluating his ministry. The only judgment he is concerned with is that which the Lord will pronounce in His Day.

Application

How do you perceive your ministry for God?  Are you concerned that it is unimportant or that others will think your service for God is foolishness? Don’t be! Serve the Master faithfully in the ministry He has given you. Keep your focus on Him, not on yourself or what others may think about you.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

 

1 Corinthians 4:2 – Trustworthy Stewards

Posted on by Will

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

Truth to Learn

Preachers and teachers must be believable and trustworthy.

Behind the Words

The word “moreover” is translated from the Greek words, hōde loipon. Hōde is an adverb of place. That is, it describes the action of the verb (it is required) as “here in this place.” The word loipon refers to “that which remains.” So, these three words could be translated as “as to the rest,” “additionally,” or “moreover.”

Dzēteō is the Greek verb translated “it is required.” It literally means “to seek after, to require, or to expect.”

“Stewards” is from oikonomos, which in the previous verse we learned means “a person who manages the affairs of a household or a business which rightfully belongs to someone else.”

The words “be found” are from the Greek verb heuriskō, meaning “to find something.” It usually implies the result of a search, but it may mean to find something not searched for.

“Faithful” is translated from the noun pistos, which is based on the verb peithō, meaning “to win over or persuade.” Thus, pistos refers to someone who is trustworthy or believable.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul instructed us on how we ought to view the leaders of our local congregation, especially those who proclaim the Word of God, either in preaching or teaching. He said that they should be seen as the Lord’s assistants, as those who have the responsibility of managing the affairs of their master and handing out the “mysteries of God.” You may recall from earlier studies that the word “mystery” (from the Greek word musterion) refers to something that was hidden in the past but that is now being publicly made known.

Now we are told that an additional, and perhaps most important, characteristic of those who handle God’s Word is that they be faithful. The English word carries the idea of being full of faith, that is, a believer. However, that is not the point that Paul is making. After all, every Christian is full of faith, every Christian is one who believes that Jesus Christ died on the cross as payment for their sins. Since every member of the true church is a believer, of course that also applies to the preachers and teachers.

Paul’s point here is that these leaders, these who are given the responsibility of handling the mysteries of God, are to be found trustworthy and believable. People who preach and teach God’s Word must be observed and must be found to properly dispense that which the Master has given to their care. In other words, we who sit under their teaching should not just take everything they say as truth, but we should test what they say and teach. We should act as the Christians in Berea are said to have acted:

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (Acts 17:11)

Application

When you leave your church meeting, do you forget about what was taught? Or do you think about what was said and study your Bible to verify the trustworthiness of the teacher?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Corinthians 4:1 – God’s Assistants

Posted on by Will

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Truth to Learn

A teacher’s words reveal his image of himself, under Christ.

Behind the Words

The words “let … consider” are translated from the Greek verb logidzomai. This word is based on logos, meaning “something said” or more accurately, “the thought behind something said.” Thus, logidzomai means “to think about” or “to consider.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood indicating a command.

“So” is from the Greek adverb houtō, meaning “in this manner” or “so.”

“Servants” is from hupēretēs, which is composed of huper, meaning “under” or “beneath” and eretēs, meaning “a rower.” It refers to someone who is acting under the direction of a superior. In classical Greek it refers to a common sailor as distinct from nautēs, a seasoned sailor. This word is used to refer to a personal assistant like the person in a synagogue who handed the scroll to the rabbi and returned it to its place.

Oikonomos is the Greek word translated “stewards.” It is made up of oikos, meaning “a house” and nemō, meaning “to distribute” or “to hand out.” This word refers to a person who manages the affairs of a household or a business which rightfully belongs to someone else.

Meaning Explained

Having criticized the Corinthian Christians for their slavish devotion to specific leaders within the church, Paul now goes into a description of how Christian leaders should be viewed by those receiving their instruction. Instead of seeing the teachers and preachers of the church as masters, he says that such men should be considered as “under oarsmen” or “personal assistants” to Jesus Christ, Himself. Moreover, he goes on to say that those who proclaim the gospel message are no more than stewards whose job it is to distribute the goods of a household (the mysteries of God) to others under their care.

Several years ago we moved from the central part of the USA to the Pacific Northwest. We spent considerable time looking for a church where we could grow in our faith and serve God. Some churches had impressive buildings and wonderful services with uplifting times of worship and praise. Unfortunately, most of these had little sound Biblical teaching. Instead, the preachers laid forth messages of social challenge, with only cursory references to Holy Scripture. As a result, the people attending these churches seemed to be indifferent to strangers and showed little evidence of the fruit of the Spirit.

Eventually, God led us to a large congregation that meets in an industrial warehouse. We quickly learned that unless we arrived a half hour early, we would be relegated to the farthest recesses of the room or to the video room where the speaker was displayed on a large screen. In spite of the appearance of the building and its awkward layout, we quickly discovered that the people were warm, friendly, and genuinely excited about learning God’s Word. Why? Because the men delivering the message are not there for personal glory, but they consider themselves stewards of the mysteries of God.

Application

What do you look for in a church? The building, the worship time, the fellowship, or the faithful servants who proclaim God’s message to you directly from His Word?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved