Episode 17 "1 Corinthians 4:1-4"
1 Corinthians 4.1-4
Stewards of the Mysteries of Christ
“This, then, is how men ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards they be found faithful (trustworthy). But to me, it is a very small thing that I should be examined by you, or even a human court. In fact, I do not examine myself, for I am conscious of nothing against myself, nor am I acquitted by this alone, but the one who examines me is the Lord.” 1 Cor 4:1-4
As we said previously, Paul is trying to let the Corinthians understand they are not superior to anyone, but are nothing more than under rowers for Christ and stewards, not of their mysteries, but God’s Mysteries. In verse 7 of this chapter Paul writes to them, “For who regards you as superior? And what do you have that you did not receive?”
Indeed, Paul cares deeply about how the outside world regards (literally reckons) the church. He uses the word “logizomai” (which means reckon, value, or esteem) a great deal in his writings, using the word 38 separate times. For example:
Romans 8.36 – “For your sake we are put to death all day long. We are regarded as sheep going to the slaughter house.”
2 Corinthians 12.6 – “For if I do wish to boast I shall not be foolish, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from this, so that no one may regard me with more than what he sees and hears from me.”
How people view (regard) us as believers is something we need to pay special attention. When people think of you, do they think “servant of God”, first? That is what Paul is suggesting. When people think of you, let them think of you (regard) as servants (under rowers) of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God!
So, what is a steward?
A steward is someone who manages the affairs of another, yet, he owns nothing of his own. The best example I can think of is a butler of a castle of a lord in England. The butler pays all the bills, hires the staff, and runs the house on behalf of his lord.
In English, the word “steward” is a compound word – stew and ward. A stew is a dish made of everything in the kitchen. A ward is a place of fortification and safety in the castle. A steward therefore is responsible for the safe keeping of everything in the lord’s house.
When most believers think of stewardship, they think of giving money to the church. While that is certainly part of it, being a steward is more about protecting and managing the assets of your Lord. That is certainly the case in the context of these verses. We should be regarded not only as under rowers for Christ, but stewards (keepers) of God’s mysteries.
The single most important trait of a steward is that they be trustworthy. “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” (1Co 4.2) In verses 3&4 Paul expands on that thought by saying that his testimony is self-evident. Neither you nor a court would have a problem attesting to Paul’s stewardship. However, Paul does not care about be acquitted by the world, it only cares about being found faithful in the eyes of God.
A Steward of the Mysteries of God
If, therefore, a steward manages the affairs of someone else, the Christian steward has been asked by God to manage the “mysteries of God”. The mysteries of God are the things God has revealed to believers about the plan of God and about Himself. To the unbeliever these things are foolishness and something he does not understand.
In chapter two, Paul writes, “The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him. He cannot even understand them because they are spiritually discerned." (1Co 2.14)
Paul lays out the mysteries of God in Romans when he reveals the gospel. He says:
God is the creator of the universe and is above all things.
God is impartial – He does not regard one person above another.
No one can attain righteousness except through the favor of God and by faith in the plan of God, alone.
All salvation from sin comes exclusively through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and only through faith in Jesus can we be saved.
Justification comes only by faith and faith alone brings peace with God.
Believers are dead to sin, but alive toward God.
Baptism is a public profession and demonstration of your belief and identifies you as a believer.
Believers are not perfect or without sin. In fact, believers constantly battle the conflict of two natures – the natural human nature (the flesh) and the supernatural spiritual nature.
The Spirit of God comes and indwells every believer, so that he or she can understand the mysteries of God.
There are more things God reveals to us and wants us to steward, such as the spiritual gifts of God, but suffice to say, all the mysteries of God are foolishness to an unbeliever. Think about it:
Natural man does not view God as creator and above all things. The teaching of creation is foolishness to the world.
Natural man regards one class or culture above another.
Natural man teaches righteousness is earned by what you accomplish in life.
Natural man teaches you can discover God in a multitude of ways. The idea that Jesus is the only way to God is folly to him.
Natural man thinks everyone is basically good and justification is only necessary if you do something terrible.
Natural man thinks you can tame the “sin” in the world by passing laws and punishing the offenders.
Natural man thinks baptism as a profession of one’s faith is a waste of time and water.
Natural man teaches that although no one is perfect, everything will be fine, as long as you are happy.
Natural man cannot even comprehend the concept of an indwelling spirit and spiritual gifts. This is a totally foreign concept.
Isaiah said it best – God’s ways are not man’s ways. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways, your ways, says the LORD.” (Isaiah 55.8)
How do you treat the mysteries of God? Do you treat them like a steward, who honors and keeps them faithfully, regardless of what those outside the castle walls feel about the lord of the castle? Or, do these mysteries seem foolish to you, like an outsider that just does not get it? It is an interesting and far-reaching question, but, in the end, it is the most important question you will ever answer.
