Marks of a minister 1 Corinthians 4

Introduction

If you were to ask the average churchgoer today what makes a great minister, you'd likely hear answers like "a powerful speaker," "a dynamic leader," or "someone with a large following." But when the Apostle Paul describes the true role of a minister in 1 Corinthians 4, he doesn’t point to charisma, popularity, or eloquence. He begins with a much humbler and more sobering title: a servant—specifically, a minister of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God.

The word Paul uses for "minister" is not a title of honor but one of humility. It literally means an “under-rower”—a slave who rowed in the bottom of a Roman ship. That’s the imagery Paul chooses to describe himself. He’s not the captain of the ship. He’s not the master of the house. He is a servant carrying out the orders of Christ and managing what does not belong to him.

He also calls himself a steward—someone entrusted with managing another’s property. What has God placed into our hands? The greatest treasure of all: the Gospel, the mystery of Christ now revealed to the world. And what is required of stewards? Not fame. Not influence. Faithfulness.

Paul reminds the Corinthians—and us—that true ministers are not measured by public opinion or personal achievement. They are measured by God, who alone will judge both the work and the motive. And while Paul speaks directly to church leaders in this passage, the principle applies to all of us who have been entrusted with the Gospel. We are all called to be faithful stewards, living lives marked by humility, accountability, faithfulness, sacrifice, and spiritual integrity.

So the question before us today is this: Are we being faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us?

Faithful Stewards 1-5

The role of a minister vs.1-2

Paul begins by referring the leadership of the church as the ministers of Christ

the word minister means chief servant

I think what has happened to many ministers today is that they have forgotten that they are not the master of the Church, but rather the servant of Christ.

The church doesn’t serve us, but rather follow us as we follow Christ

Notice that he is speaking of Ministers of Christ who are stewards of the mysteries of God

A steward is one who manages everything for his master

The mysteries of God is referring to the Gospel and God’s redemptive plan revealed through Christ

Ephesians 3:3–6 “3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:”

God has given us the message of the Gospel and we must be faithful stewards of that message as we try and reach the world with the Gospel

The ministers accountability vs. 3-5

In verse 3 Paul tells them that their judgement of his stewardship of the Gospel is a small thing

Notice he didn’t say that it doesn’t matter, but what they think of him was of far less importance than that of what the Lord thought of him

Then he says that his own judgement of himself is not as important as what the Lord thinks about him

In verse 5 he reminds them of the coming judgement of the Lord where we will find out how well we steward the Gospel.

God is going to bring to light the things that happened in darkness and will make known the motivation of our heart.

At the Judgement seat of Christ all of those who were faithful ministers and stewards will have the praise of God

Application: While this passage is mainly dealing with the leaders of the church, it applies to every Christian who is part of a New Testament church because God has called His people to be faithful stewards of the Gospel as we try and fulfill the great commission.

Marked by Humility vs. 6-13

The Danger of Pride in Ministry (Verses 6–7)

Paul begins by addressing the divisions within the Corinthian church. Believers had begun exalting their favorite spiritual leaders—Paul, Apollos, or Peter—above Christ. This pride led to rivalry and division in the church.

As believers, we must be careful not to exalt leaders above Christ, where we begin to follow personalities instead of truth.

The church of Corinth compared ministers to each other rather than measuring them against the standard of God's Word.

Pride had crept in, leading some to tear down one preacher to elevate another—not out of spiritual discernment but carnal preference.

Paul asks a series of rhetorical questions to humble them:

“Who maketh thee to differ from another?” — What truly makes one minister different from another?

“What hast thou that thou didst not receive?” — Every gift is from God.

“If thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”

John the Baptist had the same sentiment

John 3:27–30 “27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Pauls Sarcasm to prove his point vs. 8-10

Paul now uses biting irony to expose the Corinthians’ pride and self-importance:

“Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us.”

He’s saying, in essence, “How great it must be to be you—wise, powerful, and celebrated—while we apostles suffer shame and rejection.”

Paul contrasts their supposed greatness with his own hardships:

“We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ.”

We are weak, but ye are strong.”

“Ye are honourable, but we are despised.”

Paul, once a rising star in Judaism, gave it all up:

Galatians 1:14 – “And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals... being more exceedingly zealous...”

He could have had status and security, but chose obedience and persecution instead. Wiersbe says:

“Strength known to be strength is weakness, but weakness that knows itself to be weakness becomes strength.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 “9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

The cost of ministry

In this section, Paul reveals the true cost of apostleship, providing a sobering contrast to the Corinthians’ pursuit of worldly honor.

“Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place.”

“And labour, working with our own hands...”

Despite their suffering, the apostles responded in godliness:

“Being reviled, we bless.”

“Being persecuted, we suffer it.”

“Being defamed, we intreat.”

He summarizes: “We are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.”

Paul also uses a vivid cultural image in verse 9:

“We are made a spectacle unto the world...”

This term draws from Roman gladiatorial games. After the main events, the weakest prisoners were brought in last to be killed by beasts—viewed as worthless and disposable. Paul likens the apostles to these final, doomed men. Their suffering was not glamorous, but humiliating. 

Application: Though Paul speaks primarily to church leaders, the passage applies to all believers. We are all called to be faithful stewards of the Gospel, not seeking the praise of men but of God.

John 12:43 – “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

The Heart of a Spiritual Father (Verses 14–17)

Paul's Loving Warning (v. 14)

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

Paul corrects them not out of anger but fatherly affection.

Discipline in the church should always be motivated by love, not humiliation.

The Role of a Spiritual Father (v. 15)

“For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers…”

Paul distinguishes between mere teachers and a true spiritual father.

He had begotten them through the Gospel

(cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 “11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”

A Call to Imitate Paul (v. 16)

“Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.”

Paul exemplifies the Christian life and urges them to follow his Christ-centered example

(cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1 “1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”

Sending Timothy to Reinforce the Message (v. 17)

Timothy was sent to remind them of Paul’s ways in Christ, consistent in every church.

Demonstrates the importance of discipleship and doctrinal consistency.

The Authority and Accountability of Leadership (Verses 18–21)

Confronting Arrogance (v. 18)

“Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.”

Some in Corinth had become prideful, assuming Paul wouldn’t return to confront them.

The Power of the Kingdom (v. 19–20)

“I will come to you shortly... and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.”

True spiritual authority is not in eloquence but in the demonstration of God’s power.

“For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” (cf. Romans 1:16)

A Final Challenge (v. 21)

“What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?”

Paul leaves them with a choice: respond in humility or face correction.

Conclusion

As we reflect on Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 4, we are reminded that ministry is not about position—it’s about posture. It’s not about building our own platform, but about standing firm on the foundation of the Gospel. The true minister of Christ is not a celebrity, but a servant. Not a master, but a manager of what belongs to Christ. And in the end, God is not looking for the most impressive résumé—He’s looking for those who have been faithful stewards of His truth.

Paul calls us to examine how we handle the Gospel:

Are we humble, recognizing that everything we have has been given to us by God?

Are we accountable, living not for the applause of men but for the approval of God?

Are we faithful, guarding and sharing the message of Christ with courage and consistency?

Are we willing to sacrifice, enduring hardship and opposition for the sake of the Gospel?

Are we marked by spiritual integrity, responding to slander with blessing and to persecution with patience?

One day, each of us will stand before Christ, and He will examine not just what we did, but why we did it. On that day, all hidden things will be brought to light, and those who have been faithful will receive the praise of God.

So whether you serve behind a pulpit, lead a small group, or share the Gospel with your family and neighbors, the call is the same:

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” – 1 Corinthians 4:2

May we live every day with that goal in mind: to be found faithful.