4 Let a man so account us as the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

1 Corinthians 4:1 21stCenturyKJV

The Apostle Paul has been making his case as the architect of the Corinthian church.

.. you ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. [NIV]

Now Paul moves forward by pointing to the ministry of Corinthian Christians and make a few points as example.

Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.

1 Corinthians 4:2 RSV

ἀνακρίνω – anakrinō – examined

• it is a very small thing that I may be examined (by you or any)
• In fact, I do not even examine myself.
• No charges against me
• Yet I am not acquitted
• But the one who examines me is the Lord.

Consider personally the definition of Paul's topic:

Do YOU examine or judge? interrogate? examine the accused or witnesses?

Does your investigation examine, enquire into, scrutinize, sift, and question?

As the Corinthian church’s leading architect the Apostle challenges its leaders and members to be judges of and estimate or determine (the excellence or defects of any person or thing) ALL who build Christ’s church in Corinth.

Contrary to our Common Era cop-out by evangelicals avoiding examination of our own inconsistencies within the church, the Apostle Paul has already established the architecture for Christians to account for each other.

But he who is spiritual examines G350 all things, yet he himself is examined G350 by no one.

1 Corinthians 2:15 LSB – : Strong’s G350 – anakrinō

IT’S A HIGH STANDARD.

Now the Apostle writes in response to the Corinthian church (some translations use JUDGED in place of examined):

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.

My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent.

It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes.

1 Corinthians 4:3-5a New International Version

He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. – 1 Cor 4:5b

Later in this letter Paul instructs further:

Therefore if.. an unbeliever or an uninformed man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that SURELY GOD IS AMONG YOU. 1Co 14:24 LSB excerpt; 1Co 14:25

The Nature of True Apostleship

FIRST, a reminder of who are apostles AND what defines a true apostle?

ἀπόστολος

a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”) (with miraculous powers):—apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

Strong’s G652 – apostolos

Paulos apostolos iēsous christos [Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ] will further define his anointing as an apostle just a bit further into his epistle [letter] to the Corinthians.

If to others I am not an apostle ^G652, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 9:2 LSB

Paul moves forward to an alleged controversary perceived between his leadership and teaching and that of Apollos, who had also ministered to the Corinthian church with great power.

Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another. –1 Corinthians 4:6 BSB

NOW the Apostle’s accounting of leaders of the Corinthian church:

• For who makes you so superior?
• What do you have that you did not receive?
• And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

Paul answers his own rhetorical questions:

Servants of Christ

8 Already you have all you want.

Already you have become rich.

Without us, you have become kings.

How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you!

9 For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death.

We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men.

WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE APOSTLE OBSERVE OF THIS CHURCH?

This judgment from these verses of Paul’s epistle translates from the Greek to English with words perhaps more telling:

You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us— NKJV

You have begun to reign in God’s kingdom without us! – NLT

Fools for Christ

SO YOU think that you are smart enough to lead YOUR church without listening to apostles sent to guide you in building Christ's church?

We are fools on account of Christ, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; You are honored, but we are without honor.

1 Corinthians 4:10 BLB

Now listen to Paul's circumstance at the very time the Apostle writes to the Corinthians:

11 As far as the present hour, we both hunger and thirst, and are poorly clad, and are buffeted [harshly treated], and wander homeless, and we toil, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being slandered, we entreat [endure].

We have become as the residue of the world, the refuse of all, until now.

– 1 Corinthians 4:11-15 BLB

– IS PAUL CONDEMNING THE CORINTHIAN PASTORS?

– Does PAUL understate his own challenges by comparison to the Corinthians?

WHY would this architect of the Corinthian Church write to them with such severity?

Apostolic Fatherhood

Paul restates his case for continuing his own guidance of the leadership of the Corinthian leadership.

The New King James Version of Paul’s epistle heads this section of Scripture given in his first letter to the Corinthians: Paul’s Paternal Care.

Leading young Pastors and guiding their sheep

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.

How do YOU take fatherly warnings such as these?

Do you LISTEN as an obedient child of the Lord? 

OR might you, beloved child of God, insist on a life with Jesus YOUR own way?

I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. – KJV

I WARN you. – to put in mind, i.e. (by implication) to caution or reprove gently:—admonish, warn.

Of course some are ashamed, convicted in their hearts by nature of our guilt. Some translations use admonish, correction, advise — but don’t miss the Apostle’s intent as a father of his flock in the Way of Christ Jesus as our Lord.

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.

Paul, of course, has fathered or mentored others -- several others throughout his three Apostolic missions proclaiming the Gospel into all the world; none more faithful and true than Timothy, his young protege in Ephesus.

It is Timothy who brings Paul's Epistle to Corinth. And the Apostle expresses complete confidence in this young pastor who he sent to the Corinthians. 

The ESV states this well:

I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

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.

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 4:16-17 ESV

Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.

NIV

But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.

the Kingdom of God

- Who has authority in the Kingdom of Christ Jesus?

The Apostle challenges the Corinthian believers and leaders to show the true fruit of humility in Christ.

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

1 Corinthians 4:20 NLT

Which do you choose? 

• Should I come with a rod to punish you,
• or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?

NEXT: The Apostle Paul will take on an enduring common challenge of the Church:

πορνεία – porneia