LESSON 6
(4:1-21)

GOD’S STEWARDS

4 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 trustworthy.  3 But with me it is a very small thing that In should be judged by you or by any human court.  In do not even judge myself.  4 In am not aware of anything against myself, but In am not thereby acquitted.  It is the Lord who judges me.  5 Therefore do not pronounce judgement 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 every man will receive his commendation from God.
6 In have applied all this to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brethren, 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.  7 For who sees anything different in you?  What have you that you did not receive?  If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?
8 Already you are filled!  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 In 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 ill-clad 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 try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things.
14 In do not write this 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 In became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.  16 In urge you, then, be imitators of me.  17 Therefore In sent to you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as In teach them everywhere in every church.  18 Some are arrogant, as though In were not coming to you.  19 But In will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and In 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 In come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

Drawing this unit of thought to a close, Paul again spells out what he is (a steward) and how he and all like him should be viewed.  They were not something that should be a cause of division (note vv. 6-13).  However, the problem lay with those in Corinth, and Paul brings that out in 4:7-13 in an effort to help.  he then appeals to them, not as God’s servant and steward, but as a father to his family.
4:1 – regard – From a Greek word with the idea of evaluation, “reckoning” up the facts of the matter.  Drawing up a true mental picture or accurate analysis of the case in point was what Paul encouraged them to do.
servants – Paul had used diakonos in 3:5.  Now he uses hup_ret_s as one way to see him.  The word has the concept of a person who is in another’s service.  The position of service might be anything, but the person is not to be thought of as a “great one” to be idolized, etc.  Consider these texts in your N.T.: Mt. 5:25; Mk. 14:54, 65; Lk. 4:20; Jn. 7:32, 45; 18:18, 36; Acts 13:5, 36; 20:34; 24:23; 26:16
stewards – Our word is oikonomous, which has the idea of a house steward or the person in charge of managing another’s estate.  While it was an important task with major responsibility, yet it too was not the “master” place.  Read these texts for usage: Lk. 12:42; 16:1, 3, 8; Rom. 16:23; Gal. 4:2; Tit. 1:7; In Pet. 4:10.
Thus all of God’s apostles and others who so labored were co-workers with each other and everyone else in the gamily.  Some in Corinth needed to eliminate the dangerous attitudes that they had about men, and think as a Christian.  Some of the correction they needed has been given before, and some will be given in the verses following.
V. 2 – No master of the house/business wants his manager to be untrustworthy.  Joseph was the type of man that Potiphar desired to manage his house, and that Pharaoh wanted to rule Egypt.  the steward in Luke 16 was turned out for being unfaithful.  Hence, trustworthy men are eagerly sought for responsible positions.  Paul was of such character, and was deserving of honor for being so, though not to be made a cause of division.
V. 3 – Part of the reason for the party spirit is now brought into focus: comparison of one servant against another.  It was not unimportant to Paul what the Corinthians thought about him, but it wasn’t of first importance either.
man’s court – Paul made every attempt to do things honestly in the sight of all, to receive their approval, Rom. 14:18.  he went out of his way to understand other cultures, In Cor. 9:19-23.  It is not recorded that he broke Roman laws; he rather encouraged them to be obeyed, Rom. 13:1.  Yet, as he wrote in Rom. 14:2-4, God was his supreme master, to whom he was finally and ultimately answerable.  He made every effort to be pleasing in Corinth and elsewhere, but regardless of how they judged him, God was to be pleased above all or in spite of all.
In do not even judge myself – This doesn’t mean indifference or complacency, as is evident in 9:24-27, or Phil. 3:1-14.  What he has in mind is the usurping of God’s place, who will judge his own servants.  He knew only too well that man (whether self or someone else) looks on the outside, God sees the inside all too clearly.  He wasn’t going to anticipate God’s judgment on himself or anyone else.
V. 4 – Paul might judge himself to be righteous, as did Saul in Sam. 15:13.  God might judge him as He did the Babylonian empire: weighed in the balance and found wanting., Dan. 5:27.
V. 5 – Only god knows the motives and struggles of the person’s being.  Sometimes we don’t even know our own mind, we say, and truly.  On the judgment day, when the books are opened, and the secrets of men’s hearts disclosed, Rom. 2:16, then God the righteous judge shall reward each according to the deeds done, whether good or gad.  It may be that some who appear outwardly beautiful will be revealed as otherwise for it is the inner man that is judged by God, Rom. 2:25-29.
do not pronounce judgment – Not only for the reasons given above, but also because it may create internal dissension.
Having said those things, though, it may seem as if no judgment is to be done by anyone or any congregation.  Not so.  The context is narrow one here, relating to choosing one over another as in 1:10ff.  As was pointed out on 2:2, all judge and in many ways.  Perhaps the most of the problem centers in the varied ways the word “judge” is used.  Sometimes it means simple observation (In judge it is raining.); or decision (In judge In should stay at home.).  We use it in reference to men who are judges and to their judgments (= decisions).  God chose men to judge Israel in the Old Testament days, and expects Christians to judge certain matters among themselves (as in Ch. 5, and Ch. 6, etc.).  The only line God has drawn which we may not cross is His placed of judgment.  We are of necessity to determine (= judge) things right or wrong, to decide (= judge) God’s will for our lives, or the lives of others.  We must, in all cases, do such in love, Col. 3:14, attempting to “stand in the other man’s moccasins” as we can, for as Jesus taught, the measure (= attitudes and motives) we use upon others will doubtless be the basis upon which we are judged.  As King Ahab said (condemning himself), one’s own testimony will be the basis of judgment, In Kings 20:40.  We must not be hasty in our consideration of others, In Tim. 5:22, but cautious, more anxious to hear than to speak, James 1:19, remembering that one man’s case may seem right until the other man is heard, Proverbs 18:17.  This is simply putting the “golden rule” into practice, isn’t it?
V. 6 – Other names could have been used, but Paul was kid and thoughtful and used Apollos and himself to protect others who were as innocent as he.
according to the scripture – no reference in particular can be given for this point, but it plainly is the intent of God to have his family unstained by such spirit of mind and heart as some had shown in Corinth.
puffed up – This was the root of the problem that had to be eradicated.  To be puffed up is to be proud in a bad way, to think like men think in the grasp of Satan.  This term in Greek, phusio_, like  _ρις, is not found in good company.  Look at In Cor. 4;18; 5:2; 13:4; II Cor. 12:20; Col. 2:18.
V. 7 – This verse puts the whole situation into clear view, from a different point than before, although it had been intimated.  If God gives all that one has, and none of it is really man’s own accomplishment (man may plant and water but God gives the growth), then any ground for boasting is gone.  God was the common source for whatever they had, and if they differed (and they did), it was God who made them so, 12:11, 18.
why do you boast – They had not earned it or deserved it; God had freely given whatever they possessed, beginning with their own life and ending with salvation.  Only those whose faculties were not trained by practice, Heb. 5:14, could have thought as they thought.
A note of caution: let us who read the text and comments read them rightly.  Nothing has been said that should cause anyone to ignore what God has given to self or to others, or to make little out of one’s abilities, whatever they may be.  If God has given it, then it is a stewardship entrusted to us.  We will have to give account of how we have used it.  Let us not be guilty of “burying in the ground” what God has bestowed in love and for the good of the body.  The point is: keep things in the proper perspective.  Paul in writing these things to the brethren in Corinth is also giving us exactly the frame of reference that we need.
V. 8 – This section through v. 13 is both clear and puzzling.  The common thinking about these verses is that Paul assumes the position that some Corinthians had and used the apostles as a contrast.  in fact, two things were true: 1) the state depicted for the apostles was too often all too true.  They weren’t treated well at times.  It was with them as Jesus predicted in John 15:18-21; and 2) the status was most likely written about the Corinthians with “tongue in cheek” by Paul.  They had been cautioned about being “puffed up” in v. 6.  They evidently needed the advice.
V. 9 – God used and does use some of His servants hard.  He may count one’s physical life expendable to accomplish his divine purpose.  He allowed His own son to die, apart from Him – it is likely that He could do the same for others of His family.
a spectacle – Imagine a great parade, with all the “hoopla” that goes with it.  The picture Paul pointed out is a parade with the Corinthians in front, receiving the attention and enjoying it all, while those who brought the good news to them were bringing up in the rear.  One wonders how many in Corinth saw themselves in Paul’s picture and repented.
V. 10 – The contrasts are well presented: fools/wise; weak/strong; slandered/honored; poor/rich; mistreated/pampered.  The picture is too closely dawn for comfort if they were at all alert.
V. 13 – Laboring when deserving support; being slandered when praise was due; ill-treated when loving care was in order; counted as refuse but really choice items: such were God’s co-workers, the apostles.  The ache in Paul’s heart was mostly there, we think, because those for whom he was willing to spend and be spent, II Cor. 12:15, were all too oblivious to their true riches.  had they been as they ought, they would have defended Paul.  Instead, he was driven to defend himself, II Cor. 11:1-12:20.  Give thought now to II Cor. 4:7-12; 6:3-10; Mt. 5:3-12, 38-42; Rom. 12:19-21; In Peter 2:21-23.
V. 14 –They may have deserved to be shamed, but Paul was making every effort to build them up in love rather than tear them down.  He loved them and so admonished them as any one would.  is hope was that they would take what he wrote in the proper way, II Cor. 12:15b.  With this in mind, read In Cor. 2:12-13; then 7:2-16.
ashamed – From a word entrep_ which has the root idea of turning in upon oneself, thus to view oneself and find self no to one’s liking.  Consider II Thess. 3:14; Tit. 2:8.  It has a bit different sense in Mt. 21:37; Lk. 20:13 or Heb. 12:9; where the idea of consideration of self in reference to another will bring a proper evaluation (perhaps “shame” is implied).
admonish – The thrust is instruction with a hint of warning, and a bit of encouragement.  For other, uses, check Acts 20:31; Rom. 15:14; In Cor. 10:11; Eph. 6:4; Col. 1:28; 3:16; In Thess. 5:12, 14; II Thess. 3:15; Tit. 3:10.  The Greek word is nouthete_.
V. 15 – countless guides – Many different ones, even from their own group, had and would have some influence in their Christian growth.  Paul was the wise architect who laid the foundation.
guides – An interesting concept is in the word.  It is paidag_gos, which meant a person who was hired to take care of another’s child.  The English idea in tutor is somewhat like it.  Total oversight of the child’s life was involved, which would include many things (as any parent knows!). Read Lk. 23:16, 22; Acts 7:22; 22:3; In Cor. 11:32; II Cor. 6:9; In Tim. 1:20; II Tim. 2:25; Titus 2:12; Heb. 12:6, 10; Rev. 3:19 to get a better understanding of its use.
In became your father – The Greek text reads “for in Christ Jesus through the gospel In have begotten you.”
V. 16 – In urge – See on 1:10.
imitate – Repeated in 11:1, the apostle pleads for them to keep growing as Christians, taking the best from his life and putting it in theirs.  Timothy was to “remind” them of him, v. 17.
V. 17 – Timothy – Since Paul could not be everywhere at once, his love for them was so great that Timothy was sent.  Later, Titus was sent.  He himself went the following Spring.  Paul had concern for all the churches, II Cor. 11:28, but none received more help as nearly as we know than Corinth.
remind – It is rather easy to forget when we do not practice, isn’t it?
beloved and faithful – Timothy is brought up again in 16:10, 11.  He surely was a fine person for Paul to be so complimentary about him.  Evidently he began with Paul in Acts 14 when Paul was in Timothy’s home area.  However, Timothy’s character had a great boost from his mother and grandmother, II Tim. 1:2-5.
as In teach – We need always to keep in mind, as was mentioned on 1:17, that these men who were guided by divine direction, preached and wrote the same things everywhere.  The gospel message and the doctrine of Christianity were not different for different people.  That is why in the early years of the church, when many books were in circulation claiming to be from apostles, that the Christians were very careful which books they regarded as canonical (i.e., books that were from writers inspired of God).  They used the criteria that any book must be from the age of the apostles, and must agree with the books known to be apostolic in origin.  That is why many books didn’t get accepted but books like Mark and Luke did.
V. 18 – Some are arrogant – puffed up, v. 6 is the same Greek term.  These were the ones creating the problems for Paul.  Read now II Cor. 1:12-2:4; then the stronger tone of II Cor. chapters 10-13.
V. 19 – if the Lord wills – Some brethren just didn’t have the correct viewpoint about Paul’s ministry.  He might have had his “wishes” but his life was in God’s hands.  As seen in Rom. 15:16ff., he labored where God directed.  he didn’t go where God negated, Acts 16:6-8.  They were too selfish to see that he had many needs to fill besides their needs.
As for us, there is hardly a more significant phrase to have in our vocabulary than this phrase.  While we may have different ideas about how God’s will may be known, let us not fail to seek it at all times, honor it in every way, and continually encourage it in ourselves and all others.
V. 20 – For the moment, the gloves are off and the party has gotten a bit rougher.  Some people in Corinth simply didn’t get the message, for whatever reason.  Sometimes Jesus “leveled” with people who were indisposed to hear, as in Mt. 23.  God tried many ways to help Israel along, but every once in a while had to “lay it on the line” by word or deed or both.  See Paul’s own reactions in Acts 13:11-12.  However, he tried to get them to see that his power was given for building them up, not tearing them down, II Cor. 12:19, 13:10.  As v. 21 shows, the choice was theirs.
V. 21 – love – Love, as Heb. 12:4ff. shows, does not hesitate to discipline the person loved, to whatever extent is needed.  However, Paul would much rather come without the necessity of using his power against them, not wishing to cause those whom he loved any pain, II Cor. 1:23-2:4.
gentleness – A beautiful word from Paul’s pen.  It has the meaning of strength with control.  See it in Mt. 5:5; 11:29; 21:5; II Cor. 10:1; Gal. 5:23; 6:1; Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12; II Tim. 2:25; Tit. 3:2; James 1:21; 3:13; In Pet. 3:4, 15.

	LESSON 6 QUESTIONS

1. 	It would be good for you to review chs. 1-4 for the general ideas developed, wouldn’t it?

2. 	List the various ways Paul has descried himself in these four chapters in his work for God.

3. 	What point was made in 3:8 and 4:2-5?

4. 	What causes people to become “puffed up” would you say?

5. 	How difficult is it to admit that ll we are or hope to be is really from God?

6. 	The apostles were treated quite badly at times.  was it also true that other messengers of God were treated so (check you Bible)?

7. 	If life was so difficult for God’s messengers, whenever they lived, what kept them going?

8. 	Have you ever been selfish with a preacher or someone in God’s service so that you wanted more attention than you deserved?  (Sometimes it is hard to know how much one has a right to ask, isn’t it, such as wives of preachers, or children of preachers, etc.?)

9. 	As children of God, do we sometimes force God to use a rod when He would rather not do so?