1 Corinthians 4

King James Version

Full text for 1 Corinthians Chapter 4

1¶ Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

3But 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.

4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

5Therefore 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.

6And 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.

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]?

8Now 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.

9For 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.

10We [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.

11Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;

12And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

13Being 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].

15For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet [have ye] not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

16Wherefore 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.

18Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

19But 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.

20For the kingdom of God [is] not in word, but in power.

21What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and [in] the spirit of meekness?

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Paul instructs the Corinthians to regard apostles as faithful stewards of God's mysteries, emphasizing that only the Lord is the ultimate judge. He contrasts the Corinthians' perceived wisdom and richness with the apostles' suffering and humiliation for Christ's sake, warning against pride and division. Paul asserts his spiritual fatherhood over them and announces his intention to visit, assessing their power rather than mere words.

Medium Summary

Paul begins by defining ministers as stewards of God's mysteries, whose primary requirement is faithfulness, and dismisses human judgment in favor of the Lord's future revelation. He applies these principles to himself and Apollos to caution the Corinthians against pride and factionalism, reminding them that all their gifts are received from God. Paul then starkly contrasts the Corinthians' self-perceived spiritual prosperity with the apostles' profound suffering, humiliation, and constant persecution for the sake of Christ, portraying them as "fools" and "the filth of the world." He clarifies that his words are a paternal warning, not intended to shame, as he is their spiritual father through the gospel. To reinforce his teachings, he sends Timothy, his beloved son, to remind them of his consistent practices in Christ. Finally, Paul addresses those who are "puffed up" by announcing his imminent visit, where he will discern the true power of the kingdom of God, not merely their words, and challenges them to choose whether he comes with discipline or in love.

Long Summary

In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul first establishes the proper understanding of apostles and ministers as "stewards of the mysteries of God," whose essential quality is faithfulness. He asserts that human judgment, including his own self-assessment, is inconsequential, reserving ultimate judgment for the Lord, who will reveal all hidden things at His coming. Paul then explains that he has used himself and Apollos as examples to teach the Corinthians humility, preventing them from becoming "puffed up" and divided over human leaders. He challenges their pride by asking what they possess that they did not receive, thereby negating any basis for boasting. Sarcastically, he notes their self-perception of being "full" and "rich," reigning as kings without the apostles. Paul then vividly contrasts their perceived status with the apostles' reality, describing them as "appointed to death" and a "spectacle" to the world. He details the apostles' abject suffering: being "fools for Christ's sake," weak, despised, enduring hunger, thirst, nakedness, physical abuse, and homelessness. They labor with their own hands, bless those who revile them, patiently suffer persecution, and entreat those who defame them, being regarded as "the filth of the world" and "the offscouring of all things." Paul clarifies that his intent in writing these harsh truths is not to shame but to warn them as a loving father. He reminds them that while they may have many instructors, he is their unique spiritual father, having brought them to Christ through the gospel. Therefore, he earnestly beseeches them to follow his example. To further this end, he has dispatched Timothy, his faithful and beloved son in the Lord, to remind them of his consistent ways in Christ, which he teaches in every church. Addressing those who are "puffed up" and doubt his return, Paul declares his intention to visit them shortly, if the Lord permits. He states that his purpose will be to discern the "power" of those who boast, not merely their "speech," emphasizing that the kingdom of God is founded on power, not just words. He concludes by presenting them with a choice: whether he should come with a "rod" of discipline or in a spirit of love and meekness.

Core Concepts

  • Stewardship of MysteriesMinisters are entrusted with the sacred truths of God, requiring unwavering faithfulness in their service and accountability to Him alone.
  • Divine JudgmentHuman judgment is fallible and premature; only the Lord possesses the authority and knowledge to judge righteously, revealing all hidden matters in due time.
  • Humility and Received GiftsBelievers should not boast or become 'puffed up' over their gifts or status, as all good things are received from God, leaving no room for self-glory.
  • Apostolic SufferingThe apostles endured profound humiliation, physical hardship, and social contempt for Christ's sake, serving as a stark contrast to the Corinthians' spiritual pride.
  • Spiritual FatherhoodPaul asserts his unique role as the spiritual father of the Corinthians, having begotten them through the gospel, which grants him authority to warn and guide them.
  • Kingdom of God in PowerThe true nature of God's kingdom is demonstrated through spiritual power and authority, not merely through eloquent words or outward appearances.
  • Discipline vs. LovePaul presents the Corinthians with a choice regarding his impending visit, implying that their conduct will determine whether he comes to them with disciplinary action or in a spirit of love and gentleness.