1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. 6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. (1 Corinthians 4:1-6 KJV)
Stewards of the Mysteries of God
The apostle urges the Corinthians to show proper respect for his role and office, which many had failed to do. He writes, “So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed” (1 Corinthians 4:1). Some had likely gone too far by placing him at the head of a faction and calling themselves his followers. In forming opinions about ministers, we must avoid both extremes.
Apostles were not to be overvalued, since they were not masters but servants—stewards, not lords. They were servants of Christ, assigned to care for his household and distribute spiritual food. It is a serious misuse of authority for ministers to dominate others or claim control over their faith or conduct. Even apostles were simply Christ’s messengers, tasked with spreading divine truth—not promoting their own ideas.
On the other hand, apostles were not to be undervalued either. Although they were servants, they were Christ’s servants, stewards of divine mysteries, entrusted with great responsibility. Their office was honorable because of the greatness of the truths they handled and the dignity of the Master they served.
Paul adds that it is required of stewards that they be found faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2). Ministers must remain true to their Master’s instructions, not demanding from others what Christ hasn’t commanded, nor feeding them with their own opinions instead of sound doctrine. They must faithfully promote the interests of Christ.
He continues, “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court” (1 Corinthians 4:3). While reputation among people can enhance a minister’s influence, trying to please people instead of Christ compromises one’s faithfulness (Galatians 1:10). A faithful servant must not be swayed by human opinions; the only judgment that truly matters is Christ’s. Even when Paul says, “I do not even judge myself,” he means that even his own favorable self-assessment does not justify him, for it is the Lord who judges (1 Corinthians 4:3-4).
We are not made right by our own judgment of ourselves, but by the approval of our sovereign Judge. “It is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends” (2 Corinthians 10:18).
Paul then warns against being quick to judge others. “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes” (1 Corinthians 4:5). He is not condemning rightful judgment by those in authority or of obvious actions, but rather premature judgments about people’s future or the hidden motives behind their actions. To judge these is to assume God’s role.
There is a day coming when “the Lord will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart” (1 Corinthians 4:5). God sees what is hidden and will one day make all things known. Christ, who searches hearts (Revelation 2:23; Jeremiah 17:10), will reveal every secret and reward each according to their works. God’s servants may be wrongly criticized now, but when that day comes, “each will receive their praise from God.” He will remove all false accusations and show them in their true light. That should comfort believers when they are unfairly judged and make them cautious about judging others.
Paul explains why he used his own name and that of Apollos as examples: to avoid provoking division and to win more acceptance for his message. “Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, ‘Do not go beyond what is written.’ Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other” (1 Corinthians 4:6).
Apostles were to be regarded simply as servants of Christ, planters or waterers in God’s field, builders in his house, and stewards of his mysteries. Ordinary ministers cannot claim the same authority. We must never transfer to ministers the honor due only to Christ. “Do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called teachers, for you have one Teacher, the Messiah” (Matthew 23:9-10). We must not think of ministers beyond what Scripture teaches.
The best way to prevent quarrels in the church is to view both ourselves and our leaders humbly and realistically. Pride fuels division. Self-conceit often leads to excessive admiration for certain teachers, along with factional loyalty. But humility—both in our self-view and our opinion of others—helps maintain peace in the church. When we remember that all ministers are simply instruments in God’s work, gifted by him for different tasks, we will not be puffed up for one against another.