1 Corinthians 4

Intro

For those of you who may not know, I have the joy of conducting two high school choirs early in the mornings during the week. This past Thursday and Friday, I took both choirs to an ACSI Musicale, a regional choral conference for Christian schools held at William Jessup University. It was an exhausting but incredibly rewarding experience, and we learned so much.

Many of you are probably familiar with what a choir is, but let me give a quick overview. A choir consists of different sections: Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, Basses, and of course, a Conductor. Each singer has a role to play, but the goal is not to stand out as an individual. Instead, the focus is on blending together to create one unified voice. We work on vowels, breathing, tone, and vocal placement, all with the hope of achieving a beautiful, collective sound.

When I was five years old, I was in a children’s choir and proudly received the award for being the loudest singer. However, as I grew older, I had to learn an important lesson. Choir is not about one person standing out, but about listening and blending together.

Now, as a conductor, I see things from a different perspective. My job is not just to teach notes and rhythms, but to bring the music to life. A conductor adds dynamics, phrasing, and expression to communicate the story behind the piece.

But at the end of the day, the music does not belong to me. It was written by someone else. My role is not to seek attention or praise, but to serve the music, guiding the choir to bring out the best in every voice and to faithfully honor the composer’s intent.

This is my job as a conductor, and I want to use this analogy to help us understand something really important. Just as I must serve the music and steward it well, the same is true for those who lead in the church. Leadership is not about receiving glory, attention, or personal recognition. It is about serving Christ faithfully and stewarding His Word with integrity.

And that is exactly what Paul is reminding the Corinthians at the start of chapter 4. He shifts the focus away from the fame of leaders like himself, Apollos, and Cephas, and instead calls them to understand that leaders in the church are not masters, but servants—stewards entrusted with the mysteries of God.

Let’s pray.

The Responsibility of Leaders (Verse 1 and 2)

Biblically, you could state that this represents mature Christians as well. Mature Christians must do things very similarly so don’t zone out. However, the context of these two verses is regarding leaders/overseers of the Church.

1 Corinthians 4:1–2 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 faithful.

Verse 1 - The “us” is referring to Verse 22 as Paul is talking about himself, Apollos, and Peter (Cephas).

This is a unifying statement and shows how one should look at them. We’ve seen Paul rebuke this church strongly, and there will be times us preachers need to rebuke certain individuals in the church, what you should see is a servant of Christ.

We will share things on the pulpit that can be hard to hear but I pray through the word of God, if you believe in its truth, the text will convict your soul. The spirit of God is what helps us to be wise and to eliminate pride. Paul showcases where his heart is at as well. His heart is of one who is a servant of Christ. A steward of the mysteries of God.

I want to define these words as they are not quite what you might read on the surface.

Servant (ὑπηρέτης, hypēretēs):

Meaning: This term is distinct from other Greek words for servant, which is often refered to "slave." "Hypēretēs" literally translates to "under-rower," referring to a subordinate rower on a large galley ship. It emphasizes a role of service under direction. Let’s read that again, a role of service under direction.

We’ve seen Paul address himself as a servant of Christ in other letters such as Philippians 1:1

These words servants are using the greek word “duolos” which resembles being a slave of Christ, which is true. We are no longer slaves to the world but slaves to Christ. He has bought us with a price and we are fully His. A word to indicate full surrender to Christ and He has full ownership of us. That would relate and can work but Paul is indicating here more of a job they have been appointed to. An “under-rower” who follows the “master-rower”, Christ.

What this is building upon is the context of Paul talking about divisions and factions within the church on those who follow Apollos, Paul, or Cephas. Rather than trying to elevate them to a certain status, which the church of Corinth had issues with and I can see the same in many churches, Paul is reminding them of who these apostles are and the job they’ve been appointed to. An under-rower is not a position that is lowest, however, it should not equate on God’s level at all.

The next word that stands out is what. A “steward” of the mysteries of God. Or in other words, a manager of the truth of God. In the context of scripture, a wealthy household would have a slave manage his house. This was not the slave or servants house, but belonged to the owner. This word of God does not truly belong to me, but it belongs to God. I don’t know about you all, but I tend to have something that is not truly mine or I’m house sitting, holding an expensive piece of equipment, or anything that is not mine, I take better care of it.

Last year, I was having so much registration trouble and I could not drive my truck for a period of time. Thankfully, as Toyota was trying to deal with this and get it resolved, they let me borrow their vehicles. The first one was the manliest car I’ve ever driven. It was a nice tile blue Prius and in all honesty, I was praying for humility so I think God was helping me remove my pride but the next car was a 2024 White Toyota Corolla and that one was awesome.

However, the point of the story was this, I drove and treated those cars differently. First off, they were far more clean than the current state of my car, and I felt like I was much more aware when driving the car and parking because I didn’t want to scratch it or have any harm to the car. Something about my mindset is different when I didn’t own this vehicle. I need to be reminded of that as I teach and preach the word because this is not mine, this is God’s.

As I’ve gotten to preach almost every week for our Youth Group and even some more opportunities on this pulpit, this resonates with me, convicts me, and humbles me. Expounding upon the scriptures cannot just be like a textbook to make a report on. I must represent the word of God well. The mysteries of God can refer to the Gospel, to teach and preach it faithfully, accurately, and soundly. As overseers, this is our responsibility. And in verse 2, we see we must be found faithful in doing so.

But in all honesty church, this applies to all of us. Use the word of God and represent it well. Too many people mis-quote scripture and treat the Bible as a way to justify their views and lifestyle rather than letting the Bible transform our views and lifestyles.

This word of God does not belong to us, it belongs to the one who reigns above us all.

The one who is outside time.

The one who is the alpha and omega.

The one who created everything you see and feel.

This word of God is His, let us use it well and wisely.

Condemned by God not Man (Verse 3-6)

1 Corinthians 4:3–6 ESV

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

Now this verse I can see being quoted out of context. Some of you might be thinking, I’m gonna use this verse the next time someone judges me. 1 Corinthians 4:3 “It’s a very small thing that I should be judged by you” “who do you think you are?” Remember, how we need to use the word of God well and within context. Let’s look more into what he is saying.

Judge in this case relates to the word condemn or being judged in a court fashion. There are two main reasons why this is a small thing.

Compared to God’s judgment, this is nothing. In the previous chapter in verse 13, 1 Corinthians 3:13, Paul mentions the Day of the Lord and that is Paul’s focus, not on what man truly thinks.

They are blinded by an improper perspective. talked about last week - In Gill’s exposition: not that the apostle declined, or despised the judgment of a church of Christ, rightly disposed, and met together in the fear of God, to try prove, and judge of his ministry, and his fidelity in it; but he made no account of theirs, and slighted it as being under bad influence, the influence of the false teachers, who had insinuated many things among them to the prejudice of the apostle's character”

Paul further showcases an important point that Pastor Bill talked about last week. Pastor Bill mentioned how pride distorts the truth and makes us fleshly Christians. Paul is not just being Prideful here and simply thinking he is right and their opinion is worthless.

No, he moves on in the verse that he doesn’t even judge himself! In the beginning of chapter 1, we were reminded of who Paul identifies Himself in Christ Jesus. Paul is not declaring that he thinks he is better than them. I mean he is in a way, and he isn’t aware of anything that he has done wrong but he ultimately worries about what God thinks of him.

1 Corinthians 4:4 ESV

For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

“It is the Lord who judges me.” This is really interesting because we need to look at the perspective here. Should all of us have this mindset so to say that no one should judge us and the Lord is the one who judges me? On one hand, yes. Scripture says that

Psalm 118:6 ESV

6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

Matthew 10:28 ESV

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

What Paul is saying is an important point for all of us believers. It is a small thing to be judged by human affairs when you compare it to God. However, on the other hand, when he says “it is the Lord who judges me”, we need to understand that Paul is a unique individual. He is an apostle writing scripture. These letters that He is writing is from God and now we have this letter to preach and exegete from.

So I would encourage you to not use this as a defense mechanism against those who might be calling you out on things that are true or certain sins they see in your life. We need to come together as brothers and sisters in Christ and be able to have conversations with one another and I see God glorified in that. But also as I mentioned prior, you should have your mindset of what God thinks of you, and not what people think of you.

So let’s go back now to the word judge and how it truly means condemn because he moves forward with this thinking in 1 Corinthians 4:5

1 Corinthians 4:5 ESV

5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

We need to make sure that we are not condemning people because we often don’t know the full story of what is going on. But guess who does, God. God knows. Jesus knows. Let that bring you comfort that when maybe people don’t see your intentions, God does. But let that also fill your heart with reverence and fear for God because you cannot hide from Him and He knows what you are thinking and what you truly desire. Spoiler alert, you can’t hide from God.

Paul knows that and is confident in that and it also continues to help him stay humble. And he he applies these truths to himself.

1 Corinthians 4:6 ESV

6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

The words “you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written.” What is the idea behind, “written?” The apostles teaching. For us now, it is the scriptures. We must abide by what this is. There are standards of what the world has and they might be good standards in a way. Paul is reminding them to stay grounded not in preferences, but in what scripture states.

Why is this? For the sake of humility. For the sake that they will not be puffed up in favor of one against the other. At the end of the day, we must all be humble, including leaders. Paul wasn’t boasting in what they thought of Him but what God thinks of him. In a different letter, Paul showcases the heart of what they need to convey.

Philippians 2:3–5 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Servitude. Humility. The way Christ humbled Himself for us. He is who we must imitate. He is who we must.

Let’s pause real quick, and think of this question:

Where is your heart at?

Your intention is so essential in whatever you do. Later Paul will mention that everything needs to be done with love or it is just noise.

How are you with those you are struggling with - Think of people at work, school, family. Where is your heart at? Are you wanting to seek for unity, reconciliation, or do you find yourself puffed up. Pride is sneaky. We can be blind by our own pride. Let the scripture give you the standards and make sure to apply it to yourself first before you just go and start applying it to others.

So please, reflect and pray with where your heart is at. Let the spirit in your life convict your souls and ask Him to strip away the pride and fill it with a sense of gratitude and humility.

Paul warns us here that we must not be puffed up and earlier in verse 5 that the “Lord will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart” Don’t be deceived, God knows everything that is going on in your mind and heart. Don’t run from it, He already knows it. You are not doing yourself any favors by hardening your heart and trying to run from God.

Sarcasm at its Finest

1 Corinthians 4:7–13 ESV

7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? 8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

I tried to help emphasize in the tone of how I worded this but Paul is using sarcasm here to emphasize a point. And to summarize it quickly, Paul is basically stating that this pride that is manifesting in the Church of Corinth is silly.

In verse 7 he starts off by saying why do you boast in anything you receive?

If someone decides to buy you lunch, do you boast in that?

If someone decides to pay off your debt, do you boast in that?

If someone gives you a gift, do you boast in that?

This is the reminder that we need. Remember, everything you have, is a gift from God. Do not boast in what you have, but in gratitude and thanksgiving, give the glory to God.

In verse 8, Paul is using sarcasm to make the point of how they think they are so spiritually mature and they are doing everything right. They are actually becoming spiritually complacent rather than continuing to grow.

One of the most relevant Screwtape Letters quotes about complacency comes from Letter 12, where Screwtape, the senior demon, advises his nephew Wormwood on how to keep a Christian drifting away from God without dramatic sin just through small, subtle distractions and complacency:

“You will say that these are very small sins; and doubtless, like all young tempters, you are anxious to be able to report spectacular wickedness. But do remember, the only thing that matters is the extent to which you separate the man from the Enemy [God]. It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed, the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”

In verse 9, The word spectacle is “theatron,” from which we get our word “theater.” They were thinking the apostles are so grand and glamorous and what Paul shows in the next several verses is how living a true life for Christ is quite the opposite.

You should always continue to draw closer and closer to Jesus Christ. To continue to get outside your comfort zone. A very famous expression would be this: “get comfortable in the uncomfortable” As a follower of Jesus Christ on this earth, we are not perfect, nor we will ever be until the day we die. The whole point is to be Jesus and to conform into Him.

This will mean you will need to combat laziness, lust, anger, pride, anxiety, depression, and other things in your life to constantly conform into the image of Jesus Christ.

This will mean you will need to continue and progress in loving one another in truth and kindness, in being bold for the gospel, being kind, and more.

Long story short, never get complacent as a Christian. Satan loves that. Continue to be disciplined for the sake of Godliness as 1 Timothy 4:7 tells us. Another letter from Paul.

The Motive, Mentorship, and Accountability

1 Corinthians 4:14–15 ESV

14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 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.

Through everything that has been said, how Paul has been revealing and sharing so much of what they are doing wrong, he shows the motive behind all of this.

Paul has wrote in many of his letters to speak the truth in love and that anything without love is meaningless. Paul is showing them here that he loves them.

Paul the one who shared the gospel to them and started their church. They have guides and other leaders they should imitate, but Paul is like a father and almost feels like he’s the one who gave birth to these people. Just like any parent, when you see them making poor choices, you correct and discipline them so they can grow and don’t continue going down the wrong path. Parents you understand this, yes? I’m a cat dad so I understand.

1 Corinthians 4:16–17 ESV

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.

You will see this time and time again throughout Paul’s letters.

He commands his churches to imitate him because this is what discipleship was and still is all about. The whole point of discipleship is to become like the master.

This might be a weirder word for us to this day, but discipleship indicated a lot of work to be done. It was not meant to just be acknowledgement and believe in truths but to be like the master and to one day do their job.

Obviously, the one we ultimately will look like is Jesus but the people that are in our lives, especially pastors, elders, deacons, leaders, we need to represent Christ well so others around us that we are leading can imitate us. Our character, integrity, family, humility, boldness for God, and everything you can think of is essential.

Key difference though, do not fake being a Christian, it won’t work nor is it Biblical. You will notice, imitation of leaders won’t always be the fun parts. You should imitate their boldness not just in proclaiming the gospel and talking to people about Jesus but imitate the way they

The way they confess their sins to one another.

The way they listen and their eagerness to maintain unity.

The way they forgive in moments you wouldn’t forgive.

Be an imitator of Paul and Paul sends Timothy, a faithful disciple of Christ but under extreme mentorship from Paul. Timothy is also one they can imitate as Paul sends him to them.

1 Corinthians 4:18–21 ESV

18 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

Again, we see this pride within them and they’re getting mad at Paul thinking he’s not gonna even come visit us. Paul is already refuting the arrogant who’s he to say this about us. And he is not worried about their talk. Because the power of God is what truly matters:

Paul is not trash talking or threatening anyone. The Corinthians will remember the impressive displays of the Holy Spirit's supernatural power that God used to back up Paul's preaching of the gospel (1 Corinthians 2:1–5). Paul is reminding his readers that same power continues to show that God's authority is with Paul. Will those living in rebellion against Paul's teaching in Corinth continue to resist when faced with this power once more?

This should humble us. When confronted with the gospel power. When confronted with scripture, the God’s authority, we should go to great extremes to listen and repent. Let’s read 1 Corinthians 4:20 again.

1 Corinthians 4:20 ESV

20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

The kingdom of God consists of believers who obey and do what God commands, not of those who just talk the talk. (say it again). You see this echoed in James, in Matthew 7, John 14, and many other places because this is what real faith is. Not just what it looks like, but what a genuine faith in God. That is what the Kingdom of God is about.

Romans 14:17 ESV

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

And the last verse we see is this:

1 Corinthians 4:21 ESV

21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

Be reminded, Paul is like a father to them and is thinking in terms of how one would discipline their children.

Man, I don’t have much memories when I was younger, but there was this one time when I got in trouble and I was still at that age where I can get a spanking, so this was like in high school, I’m kidding I was like 8. But I remember acting like a brat and then I saw the wooden spoon and I was like no mom, please, no mom, i’m sorry i’m sorry, i’ll never do it again. Man the wooden spoon is the worst. She doesn’t even remember i’m sure, but I do.

But basically, when he visits them, is he gonna have to come with a spanking and treat them like little kids? Or can he treat them like older children who are apologizing for their ways?

Are they ready to repent from their ways and receive this with love in a spirit of gentleness?

Think of these reflection questions:

How Do You Respond to Conviction?

Do You Want Growth or Just Comfort?

How Do You Want to Grow?

We need to be able to grow at whatever age or for however long we’ve been a Christian and not become complacent but always seek to pursue God and to look more like Him. Everyday, be with Jesus, Everyday become more like him, everyday do what He did. Pray and draw closer to God.

Closing

Paul’s message to the Corinthians is also for us today, we must not be puffed up with pride but remain faithful servants of Christ who steward His truth with humility.

What I want to close with, is the gospel. Because maybe of you are not Christians and this won’t be very helpful for you without the transforming work of the cross and the spirit of God within you.