SO THEN let us [apostles] be looked upon as ministering servants of Christ and stewards (trustess) of the mysteroies-that is, the secret purposes-of God.
2 Moreover, it is [essentially] required of stewards that a man should be found faithful-proving himself worthy of trust.
3 But (as for me personally) it matters very little to me that I should be put on trial by you [on this point], and that you or any other human tribunal should investigate and question and cross-question me. I do not even put myself on trial and judge myself.
4 I am not conscience of anything against myself, and I feel blameless; but I am not vindicated and acquitted before God on that account. It is the Lord [Himself] Who examines and judges me.
5 So do, not make any hasty or premature judgments before the time when the Lord comes [again], for He will both bring to light the secret things that are (now hidden) in darkness, and disclose and expose the (secret) aims (motives and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his (due) commendation from God. (1 Corinthians 4:1-5). [Amplified Bible].
These verses follow up the preceeding discussion about Christian workers. Here Paul adds that such servants of Christ must also be considered stewards of God-those to whom a trust has been committed, a trust they are to be faithful to.
1 Everyone should count Paul and other Christian workers as "servants" of Christ, fully responsible to him and not to the Corinthians. The phrase "those entrusted with" means "house stewards" and refers to a position often held by a slave (e.g., Joseph, Genesis 39:2-19) entrusted with managing thr affairs of a household. "The secret things of God" indicates the mysteries of salvation God has revealed in His word (Romans 16:25; Ephesians 1:9; 3:3-4; 1 Timothy 3:16)-things one cannot discover by human wisdom (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:1). These truths of the cross have been trusted to Christian workers to be carefully used and guarded. As subordinate servants of Christ, they have no right of authority over those truths, but must minister them in Christ's name to God's people.
2-4 Paul now examines the character of those who are handling God's truth: they, including himself, must first of all show themselves faithful. Since he is the Lord's servant and steward, it is to the Lord that he owes responsibility, and it is the Lord who "judges" him for the quality of his service. Human judgment has little value; even self-evaluation is unreliable. Christ is Lord of the conscience and the one who can evaluate it properly.
5 The apostle leaps forward to the return of Christ when all Christians will have their works examined at the judment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Because of this, he charges the Corinthians not to judge his faithfulness, for this can be done truthfully only by the Lord when he returns. Therefore, knowing that the Corinthians are already judging him and others, he says to them in effect, "Curb your habit of judging."
"What is hidden in darkness" are the acts and motives concealed in the inner recesses of a person's mind and heart. In Hebrew poetic style, Paul says the Lord will "expose the motives of men's hearts" as an explanation of his statements, He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness." Thus, at the second coming of Christ, those who have been faithful in their work for the Lord will receive praise from him (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:8; see also the parables in Matthew 25:14-23; Luke 19:12-19). s the final judging must be done by God, so one's final praise will come from him.
[NIV BIBLE COMMENTARY Volume 2: New Testament].
[www.sowersoftheword.blogspot.com].
JESUS IS LORD.
2 Moreover, it is [essentially] required of stewards that a man should be found faithful-proving himself worthy of trust.
3 But (as for me personally) it matters very little to me that I should be put on trial by you [on this point], and that you or any other human tribunal should investigate and question and cross-question me. I do not even put myself on trial and judge myself.
4 I am not conscience of anything against myself, and I feel blameless; but I am not vindicated and acquitted before God on that account. It is the Lord [Himself] Who examines and judges me.
5 So do, not make any hasty or premature judgments before the time when the Lord comes [again], for He will both bring to light the secret things that are (now hidden) in darkness, and disclose and expose the (secret) aims (motives and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his (due) commendation from God. (1 Corinthians 4:1-5). [Amplified Bible].
These verses follow up the preceeding discussion about Christian workers. Here Paul adds that such servants of Christ must also be considered stewards of God-those to whom a trust has been committed, a trust they are to be faithful to.
1 Everyone should count Paul and other Christian workers as "servants" of Christ, fully responsible to him and not to the Corinthians. The phrase "those entrusted with" means "house stewards" and refers to a position often held by a slave (e.g., Joseph, Genesis 39:2-19) entrusted with managing thr affairs of a household. "The secret things of God" indicates the mysteries of salvation God has revealed in His word (Romans 16:25; Ephesians 1:9; 3:3-4; 1 Timothy 3:16)-things one cannot discover by human wisdom (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:1). These truths of the cross have been trusted to Christian workers to be carefully used and guarded. As subordinate servants of Christ, they have no right of authority over those truths, but must minister them in Christ's name to God's people.
2-4 Paul now examines the character of those who are handling God's truth: they, including himself, must first of all show themselves faithful. Since he is the Lord's servant and steward, it is to the Lord that he owes responsibility, and it is the Lord who "judges" him for the quality of his service. Human judgment has little value; even self-evaluation is unreliable. Christ is Lord of the conscience and the one who can evaluate it properly.
5 The apostle leaps forward to the return of Christ when all Christians will have their works examined at the judment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Because of this, he charges the Corinthians not to judge his faithfulness, for this can be done truthfully only by the Lord when he returns. Therefore, knowing that the Corinthians are already judging him and others, he says to them in effect, "Curb your habit of judging."
"What is hidden in darkness" are the acts and motives concealed in the inner recesses of a person's mind and heart. In Hebrew poetic style, Paul says the Lord will "expose the motives of men's hearts" as an explanation of his statements, He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness." Thus, at the second coming of Christ, those who have been faithful in their work for the Lord will receive praise from him (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:8; see also the parables in Matthew 25:14-23; Luke 19:12-19). s the final judging must be done by God, so one's final praise will come from him.
[NIV BIBLE COMMENTARY Volume 2: New Testament].
[www.sowersoftheword.blogspot.com].
JESUS IS LORD.
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