1 Corinthians 4:1 kjv
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1 Corinthians 4:1 nkjv
Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1 Corinthians 4:1 niv
This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.
1 Corinthians 4:1 esv
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1 Corinthians 4:1 nlt
So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God's mysteries.
1 Corinthians 4 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 4:1 | Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ | Foundational statement |
| 1 Cor 3:5 | Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed | Authority distinction |
| Eph 3:2 | If indeed you have heard of the stewardship of the grace of God given to me | Role as steward |
| Col 1:25 | according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you | Stewardship assignment |
| Titus 1:7 | For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God | Bishop as steward |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | Each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve others as good stewards of God’s varied grace | Everyone as steward |
| Matt 24:45 | Who then is that faithful and wise steward whom his master will set over his household | The faithful steward |
| Luke 12:42 | And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and prudent steward, whom the master will set over his household | The prudent steward |
| John 13:13-16 | "You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say it rightly, for so I am. "If then I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. | Example of servanthood |
| Gal 1:10 | For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? | Pleasing God, not man |
| 2 Cor 5:20 | So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making his appeal through us | Ambassadors for Christ |
| Phil 1:1 | Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi | Greeting as servants |
| Acts 20:18-19 | ...you know that from the first day that I came to Asia...serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials | Service through humility |
| 1 Cor 15:10 | But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. | Grace enabling work |
| Rom 11:13 | Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry | Magnifying ministry |
| Eph 3:7-8 | of which I became a minister according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his mighty strength. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ | Ministry of grace |
| 1 Cor 2:1 | And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. | Simple proclamation |
| 1 Tim 4:6 | If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of faith and of good doctrine that you have followed | Training in doctrine |
| 2 Tim 2:2 | and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. | Entrusting to others |
| 2 Tim 4:5 | As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. | Fulfilling ministry |
| Heb 12:22-24 | But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that says better things than Abel's. | New covenant blessings |
| Rev 1:1 | The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. | Revelation to servants |
| Rev 19:10 | Then I fell down at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” | Fellow servants, not worshiped |
1 Corinthians 4 verses
1 Corinthians 4 1 Meaning
Christians are to be regarded as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. This means they hold a position of responsibility and trust under Christ, managing the spiritual truths and revelations God has entrusted to them.
1 Corinthians 4 1 Context
First Corinthians chapter 4 is Paul addressing divisions within the Corinthian church. The Corinthians had developed factions, exalting certain leaders (like Apollos and himself) and looking down on others. Paul is correcting this pride and divisiveness, urging them to remember that all spiritual leaders are servants of Christ. He contrasts his own ministry approach with the divisive pride seen in Corinth. This verse serves as a foundational statement for the rest of the chapter, redirecting their focus from human leaders to Christ and their roles as stewards of God's mysteries.
1 Corinthians 4 1 Word Analysis
- hōste (ὥστε): Therefore, so. A conjunction indicating a result or consequence. Paul is drawing a conclusion from previous points about the divisiveness in Corinth.
- houtōs (οὕτως): Thus, so, in this way. An adverb indicating manner. This word instructs the Corinthians how they should perceive their leaders.
- anthrōpous (ἀνθρώπους): Men, human beings. The general term for people. Refers to the Corinthians themselves, and by extension, all believers.
- logizesthōsan (λογίζεσθαι): Consider, regard, reckon, think. A present imperative verb. This is a command to actively and continuously think of them in a particular way. It requires mental engagement, not passive acceptance.
- hēmas (ἡμᾶς): Us. Refers to Paul and Apollos, or any minister of the Gospel.
- houtōs (οὕτως): Thus, so, in this way. Reiterated for emphasis on the manner of perception.
- huperetās (ὑπερέτας): Under-rowers, subordinate servants, helpers, officials. From the word hypo (under) and eressein (to row). In ancient times, it referred to the lower rowers in a large ship, working under the command of others. It denotes a servant in a position of service and submission. It's a more humble term than doulos (slave) in some contexts, though often used interchangeably. It implies working under someone.
- Christou (Χριστοῦ): Of Christ. Genitive case, indicating possession or association. Servants belonging to or sent by Christ.
- oikonomous (οἰκονόμους): Stewards, managers, administrators. From oikos (house) and nomos (law/manage). Refers to a person entrusted with the management of a household or estate, responsible to the owner. It signifies trust and accountability for what is entrusted.
- mustēriōn (μυστηρίων): Mysteries. Plural genitive of mustērion (μυστήριον). Refers to secret truths or doctrines that were previously hidden but are now revealed by God, especially through Christ and the Gospel. These are not secret in the sense of being inaccessible, but previously unknown divine plans now made known.
- Theou (Θεοῦ): Of God. Genitive case, indicating possession. The mysteries belong to God.
Word Group Analysis:
- "Let a man regard us...": The imperative "logizesthōsan" emphasizes that this perception is a conscious, deliberate choice, not accidental. It's about their way of thinking and evaluating.
- "...as servants of Christ": This identifies their fundamental role and authority structure. Their service is not their own, nor directed by men, but as those who serve and are commissioned by Christ. This is the primary identity.
- "...and stewards of the mysteries of God": This explains the function of their service. They are not just servants, but managers and administrators of what God has revealed. The emphasis is on their responsibility and accountability for these divine truths. The plural "mysteries" indicates the broad scope of God's revealed plan and truths entrusted to them.
1 Corinthians 4 1 Bonus Section
The term "steward" (oikonomos) carries a heavy implication of accountability. A steward answers to the master for how the master's possessions or affairs were managed. This is a vital aspect for leaders and believers alike; whatever gifts, talents, or divine revelations God has given, we are responsible to manage them according to His will. The mysteries of God spoken of here are central to the Gospel message and include God's plan of salvation through Christ, the indwelling of the Spirit, and the future hope of believers. It signifies that these profound truths are not meant to be hoarded or manipulated, but faithfully communicated and lived out. The word huperetās also carries the sense of subordinate service; they were under the authority of Christ, the ultimate Master.
1 Corinthians 4 1 Commentary
Paul redirects the Corinthians' misguided admiration and factionalism. He compels them to see ministers not as infallible celebrities or sources of personal prestige, but as subordinates to Christ. Their role is to manage and faithfully dispense the revealed truths of God. This is a call to humility for both leaders and followers, emphasizing divine origin and accountability. It’s about who they serve (Christ) and what they manage (God's truth), not who they impress. It underscores that God entrusts His mysteries to those He calls to serve Him.