1 Corinthians Chapter 4 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
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 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
More Chapter 4 of 1 Corinthians (New Testament, King James Bible)
7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
10 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.
11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
1 Corinthians Chapter 4 (New Testament)
13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
15 For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
20 For thekingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
| Greek Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ὑπηρέτης — hypēretēs | Verse 1 — “…ministers of Christ…” | “Servant,” under-rower. | Hypēretēs (“under-rower/servant”) implies humble service (“minister”). Paul positions himself under Christ’s authority. The term encourages humility. — Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
| οἰκονόμος — oikonomos | Verse 1 — “…stewards of the mysteries…” | “Steward,” manager. | Oikonomos (“steward”) denotes responsibility for divine truth (“manager”). Ministers are caretakers, not owners. The term highlights accountability. — Richard C. Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| δοκιμασία — dokimasia | Verse 3 — “…judged of man’s judgment…” | “Examination,” testing. | Dokimasia (“examination”) critiques human evaluation (“judgment”). Paul transcends superficial criticism. The term points to divine appraisal. — Philip Schaff, Commentary on Corinthians (1882) |
| φρονεῖν — phronein | Verse 6 — “…be not puffed up…” | “Think,” hold an opinion. | Phronein (“to think”) exposes arrogant attitudes (“to think highly”). Pride breeds division. The term calls for humility. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| κορεσμός — koresmos | Verse 8 — “…ye are full…” | “Filled,” satisfied. | Koresmos (“fullness”) suggests overconfidence (“filled/satisfied”). Paul uses irony to rebuke pride. The term critiques self-sufficiency. — James Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (1898) |
| εἰκῇ — eikē | Verse 12 — “…being reviled, we bless…” | “Without cause,” in vain. | Eikē (“without cause”) reveals unjust treatment (“in vain/by spite”). Apostolic suffering models Christlike endurance. The term deepens contrast with worldly expectation. — Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| βλασφημέω — blasphēmeō | Verse 13 — “…being defamed…” | “Slander,” speak evil. | Blasphēmeō (“to slander”) exposes abusive speech (“defame”). Paul responds with grace. The term reveals moral nobility under persecution. — Richard Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| νουθετέω — noutheteō | Verse 14 — “…I warn you…” | “Admonish,” instruct. | Noutheteō (“to admonish”) means corrective instruction (“warn/admonish”). Paul acts as spiritual father. The term highlights pastoral love. — Philip Schaff, Church History (1890) |
| μιμητής — mimētēs | Verse 16 — “…be followers of me.” | “Imitator,” one who copies. | Mimētēs (“imitator”) invites reproduced example (“follower”). Paul urges patterning after Christlike conduct. The term emphasizes discipleship. — Joseph Henry Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| δύναμις — dynamis | Verse 20 — “…kingdom… in power.” | “Power,” might. | Dynamis (“power”) denotes divine force (“power”). True authority is spiritual, not rhetorical. The term highlights reality over appearance. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
1 Corinthians 4 Devotional
Verse: "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
Lesson: In this chapter, Paul addresses the issue of divisions within the Corinthian church. He reminds the believers that leaders within the church are merely servants of Christ and should not be elevated to a position of idolatry. He also emphasizes the importance of humility, noting that even the apostles are not above criticism or judgment.
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Conclusion: As believers, it is important to recognize that all leaders within the church are ultimately servants of Christ. We should not place them on a pedestal or idolize them, but instead, hold them accountable to the same standard as everyone else. Additionally, we should strive for humility in all areas of our lives, recognizing that we are all equal before God.
Prayer Points: Thank God for the leaders within your church and pray for them to remain humble and accountable to God. Pray for wisdom and discernment in recognizing when leaders are being elevated to an unhealthy degree. Finally, ask God to help you cultivate a spirit of humility in all areas of your life.
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