Teks -- 1 Corinthians 4:1 (NET)

The Apostles’ Ministry

4:1 One should think about us this way– as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: 1Co 4:1 - Ministers of Christ

Ministers of Christ ( hupēretas Christou ).

Paul and all ministers (diakonous ) of the New Covenant (1Co 3:5) are under-rowers, subordinate rowers of Christ, only here in Paul’ s Epistles, though in the Gospels (Luk 4:20 the attendant in the synagogue) and the Acts (Act 13:5) of John Mark. The so (houtōs ) gathers up the preceding argument (3:5-23) and applies it directly by the as (hōs ) that follows.

Robertson: 1Co 4:1 - Stewards of the mysteries of God

Stewards of the mysteries of God ( oikonomous mustēriōn theou ).

The steward or house manager (oikos , house, nemō , to manage, old word) was a slave (doulos ) under his lord (kurios , Luk 12:42), but a master (Luk 16:1) over the other slaves in the house (menservants paidas , maidservants paidiskas Luk 12:45), an overseer (epitropos ) over the rest (Mat 20:8). Hence the under-rower (hupēretēs ) of Christ has a position of great dignity as steward (oikonomos ) of the mysteries of God. Jesus had expressly explained that the mysteries of the kingdom were open to the disciples (Mat 13:11). They were entrusted with the knowledge of some of God’ s secrets though the disciples were not such apt pupils as they claimed to be (Mat 13:51; Mat 16:8-12). As stewards Paul and other ministers are entrusted with the mysteries (see note on 1Co 2:7 for this word) of God and are expected to teach them. "The church is the oikos (1Ti 3:15), God the oikodespotēs (Mat 13:52), the members the oikeioi (Gal 6:10; Eph 2:19)"(Lightfoot). Paul had a vivid sense of the dignity of this stewardship (oikonomia ) of God given to him (Col 1:25; Eph 1:10). The ministry is more than a mere profession or trade. It is a calling from God for stewardship.

Vincent: 1Co 4:1 - Ministers

Ministers ( ὑπηρέτας )

See on officer , Mat 5:25. Only here in Paul's epistles.

Vincent: 1Co 4:1 - Stewards

Stewards

See on Luk 16:1.

Wesley: 1Co 4:1 - Let a man account us, as servants of Christ

The original word properly signifies such servants as laboured at the oar in rowing vessels; and, accordingly, intimates the pains which every faithful minister takes in his Lord's work. O God, where are these ministers to be found? Lord, thou knowest.

Wesley: 1Co 4:1 - And stewards of the mysteries of God

Dispenseth of the mysterious truths of the gospel.

JFB: 1Co 4:1 - account . . . us

Paul and Apollos.

JFB: 1Co 4:1 - ministers of Christ

Not heads of the Church in whom ye are severally to glory (1Co 1:12); the headship belongs to Christ alone; we are but His servants ministering to you (1Co 1:13; 1Co 3:5, 1Co 3:22).

JFB: 1Co 4:1 - stewards

(Luk 12:42; 1Pe 4:10). Not the depositories of grace, but dispensers of it ("rightly dividing" or dispensing it), so far as God gives us it, to others. The chazan, or "overseer," in the synagogue answered to the bishop or "angel" of the Church, who called seven of the synagogue to read the law every sabbath, and oversaw them. The parnasin of the synagogue, like the ancient "deacon" of the Church, took care of the poor (Act 6:1-7) and subsequently preached in subordination to the presbyters or bishops, as Stephen and Philip did. The Church is not the appendage to the priesthood; but the minister is the steward of God to the Church. Man shrinks from too close contact with God; hence he willingly puts a priesthood between, and would serve God by deputy. The pagan (like the modern Romish) priest was rather to conceal than to explain "the mysteries of God." The minister's office is to "preach" (literally, "proclaim as a herald," Mat 10:27) the deep truths of God ("mysteries," heavenly truths, only known by revelation), so far as they have been revealed, and so far as his hearers are disposed to receive them. JOSEPHUS says that the Jewish religion made known to all the people the mysteries of their religion, while the pagans concealed from all but the "initiated" few, the mysteries of theirs.

Clarke: 1Co 4:1 - Let a man so account of us

Let a man so account of us - This is a continuation of the subject in the preceding chapter; and should not have been divided from it

The fourth chapter would have begun better at 1Co 4:6, and the third should have ended with the fifth verse (1Co 4:5)

Clarke: 1Co 4:1 - As of the ministers of Christ

As of the ministers of Christ - Ως ὑπηρετας Χριστου . The word ὑπηρετης means an under-rower, or one, who, in the trireme, quadrireme, or quinquereme galleys, rowed in one of the undermost benches; but it means also, as used by the Greek writers, any inferior officer or assistant. By the term here the apostle shows the Corinthians that, far from being heads and chiefs, he and his fellow apostles considered themselves only as inferior officers, employed under Christ from whom alone they received their appointment their work, and their recompense

Clarke: 1Co 4:1 - Stewards of the mysteries of God

Stewards of the mysteries of God - Και οικονομους μυστηριων Θεου, Economists of the Divine mysteries. See the explanation of the word steward in the note on Mat 24:45, (note); Luk 8:3, (note); Luk 12:42, (note

The steward, or oikonomos , was the master’ s deputy in regulating the concerns of the family, providing food for the household, seeing it served out at the proper times and seasons, and in proper quantities. He received all the cash, expended what was necessary for the support of the family, and kept exact accounts, which he was obliged at certain times to lay before the master. The mysteries, the doctrines of God, relative to the salvation of the world by the passion and death of Christ; and the inspiration, illumination, and purification of the soul by the Spirit of Christ, constituted a principal part of the Divine treasure intrusted to the hands of the stewards by their heavenly Master; as the food that was to be dispensed at proper times, seasons, and in proper proportions to the children and domestics of the Church, which is the house of God.

Calvin: 1Co 4:1 - Let a man so account of us

1.Let a man so account of us As it was a matter of no little importance to see the Church in this manner torn by corrupt factions, from the likings or dislikings that were entertained towards individuals, he enters into a still more lengthened discussion as to the ministry of the word. Here there are three things to be considered in their order. In the first place, Paul describes the office of a pastor of the Church. Secondly, he shows, that it is not enough for any one to produce a title, or even to undertake the duty — a faithful administration of the office being requisite. Thirdly, as the judgment formed of him by the Corinthians was preposterous, ²⁰⁷ he calls both himself and them to the judgment-seat of Christ. In the first place, then, he teaches in what estimation every teacher in the Church ought to be held. In this department he modifies his discourse in such a manner as neither, on the one hand, to lower the credit of the ministry, nor, on the other, to assign to man more than is expedient. For both of these things are exceedingly dangerous, because, when ministers are lowered, contempt of the word arises, ²⁰⁸ while, on the other hand, if they are extolled beyond measure, they abuse liberty, and become “wanton against the Lord.” (1Ti 5:11.) Now the medium observed by Paul consists in this, that he calls them ministers of Christ; by which he intimates, that they ought to apply themselves not to their own work but to that of the Lord, who has hired them as his servants, and that they are not appointed to bear rule in an authoritative manner in the Church, but are subject to Christ’s authority ²⁰⁹ — in short, that they are servants, not masters.

As to what he adds — stewards of the mysteries of God, he expresses hereby the kind of service. By this he intimates, that their office extends no farther than this, that they are stewards of the mysteries of God In other words, what the Lord has committed to their charge they deliver over to men from hand to hand — as the expression is ²¹⁰ — not what they themselves might choose. “For this purpose has God chosen them as ministers of his Son, that he might through them communicate to men his heavenly wisdom, and hence they ought not to move a step beyond this.” He appears, at the same time, to give a stroke indirectly to the Corinthians, who, leaving in the background the heavenly mysteries, had begun to hunt with excessive eagerness after strange inventions, and hence they valued their teachers for nothing but profane learning. It is an honorable distinction that he confers upon the gospel when he terms its contents the mysteries of God. But as the sacraments are connected with these mysteries as appendages, it follows, that those who have the charge of administering the word are the authorized stewards of them also.

TSK: 1Co 4:1 - account // the ministers // and stewards // mysteries

account : 1Co 4:13; 2Co 12:6

the ministers : 1Co 3:5, 1Co 9:16-18; Mat 24:45; 2Co 4:5, 2Co 6:4, 2Co 11:23; Col 1:25; 1Ti 3:6

and stewards : Luk 12:42, Luk 16:1-3; Tit 1:7; 1Pe 4:10

mysteries : 1Co 2:7; Mat 13:11; Mar 4:11; Luk 8:10; Rom 16:25; Eph 1:9, Eph 3:3-9, Eph 6:19; Col 1:26, Col 1:27, Col 2:2, Col 4:3; 1Ti 3:9, 1Ti 3:16

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 1Co 4:1

1Co 4:1-5 Paul showeth in what account such as he should be

held, of whose fidelity it should be left to God

to judge.

1Co 4:6,7 He dissuadeth the Corinthians from valuing

themselves in one teacher above another,

since all had their respective distinctions

from God.

1Co 4:8-13 To their self-sufficient vanity he opposeth his

own despised and afflicted state,

1Co 4:14-16 warning them, as their only father in Christ, and

urging theme to follow him.

1Co 4:17-21 For the same cause he sent Timotheus, and meant

soon to follow in person, when he would inquire

into the authority of such as opposed him.

The apostle here gives us the right notion of the preachers of the gospel; they are but ministers that is, servants, so as the honour that is proper to their Master, for a principal efficiency in the conversion and building up of souls, belongeth not to them; they are ministers of Christ so have their primary relation to him, and only a secondary relation to the church to which they are ministers; they are ministers of Christ and so in that ministration can only execute what are originally his commands, though those commands of Christ may also be enforced by men: ministers of the gospel, not of the law, upon whom lies a primary obligation to preach Christ and his gospel unto people. They are also

stewards of the mysteries of God such to whom God hath committed his word and sacraments to dispense out unto his church. The word mystery signifieth any thing that is secret, but more especially it signifieth a Divine secret, represented by signs and figures; or a religious secret, not obvious to every capacity or understanding. Thus we read of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, Mat 13:11 ; the mystery of godliness, 1Ti 3:16 ; the mystery of Christ, Eph 3:4 . The wisdom of God, Col 2:2 ; the incarnation of Christ, 1Ti 3:16 ; the calling of the Gentiles, Eph 3:4 ; the resurrection from the dead, 1Co 15:21 ; Christ’ s mystical union and communion with his church, Eph 5:32 ; the sublime counsels of God, 1Co 13:2 , are all called mysteries. Ministers are the stewards of the mysterious doctrines and institutions of Christ, which we usually comprehend under the terms of the word and sacraments.

Haydock: 1Co 4:1 - Mysteries of God

Mysteries of God. That is, the dogmas of faith, revealed by the Almighty. (Estius)

Gill: 1Co 4:1 - Let a man so account of us // as the ministers // and stewards of the mysteries of God

Let a man so account of us,.... Though the apostle had before said that he, and other ministers of the Gospel, were not any thing with respect to God, and, with regard to the churches, were theirs, for their use and advantage; yet they were not to be trampled upon, and treated with contempt, but to be known, esteemed, and honoured for their works' sake, and in their respective places, stations, and characters; and though they were but men, yet were not to be considered as private men, and in a private capacity, but as in public office, and as public preachers of the word; and though they were not to be regarded as lords and masters over God's heritage, but as servants, yet not as everyone's, or as any sort of servants, but

as the ministers, or servants, of Christ; as qualified, called, and sent forth by him to preach his Gospel; as ambassadors in his name, standing in his place and stead, and representing him, and therefore for his sake to be respected and esteemed; and as such who make him the subject of their ministry, preach him and him only, exalt him in his person, offices, blood, righteousness and sacrifice, and direct souls to him alone for life and salvation:

and stewards of the mysteries of God; though they are not to be looked upon as masters of the household, that have power to dispose of things in the family at their own pleasure; yet they are to be regarded as stewards, the highest officers in the house of God; to whose care are committed the secret and hidden things of God; whose business it is to dispense, and make known, the mysteries of divine grace; such as respect the doctrine of the Trinity, the incarnation of Christ, the union of the two natures, divine and human, in his person, the church's union to him, and communion with him, with many other things contained in the Gospel they are intrusted with.