New Life Bible Fellowship Church
3/15/2026

      • Psalm 9:7–10KJV1900

  • Ancient of Days
  • I Will Sing of My Redeemer

      • Proverbs 16KJV1900

  • Introduction:

    For nine weeks we have watched Paul dismantle the Corinthians' worldly thinking about wisdom, status, and leadership. The cross destroys human boasting. God chooses the foolish and weak. Ministers are merely servants—one plants, another waters, but God gives the growth. The only foundation is Christ. And in the grand climax: all things are yours, because you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
    Now Paul asks the natural question: If all this is true, how exactly should you regard us—your teachers?
    The Corinthians had been evaluating Paul and Apollos by all the wrong standards. Who is more eloquent? Who has more impressive credentials? Who would make a better patron to attach ourselves to? They were treating ministers like competing celebrities, sizing them up by worldly measures of success.
    Paul gives them two images to correct their thinking: servants and stewards.
    First, servants. The word Paul uses is ὑπηρέτας—originally the under-rowers on a ship, those who pulled the oars beneath the deck. Not the captain, not the navigator, not even the visible sailors—but the men below, doing the hard work unseen. Ministers are under-rowers for Christ. Not impressive; not prominent; not in charge.
    Second, stewards. A steward (οἰκονόμος) was a household manager, often a slave entrusted with the master's affairs. The steward did not own anything; he managed what belonged to another. And the one thing required of stewards is faithfulness—not brilliance, not success by human measures, but trustworthy handling of what was entrusted.
    From these two images flows everything else in the passage. Since ministers are servants and stewards, their evaluation belongs to the Lord—not to human courts, not even to their own self-assessment. Paul cares very little about being judged by the Corinthians or by any human tribunal. He does not even judge himself. The Lord is the one who will bring to light what is hidden and reveal the purposes of hearts.
    And then Paul turns the lens on the Corinthians themselves. They have been puffed up, inflated with pride, backing one teacher against another as if they were judges qualified to render verdicts. Paul asks the devastating question: "What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?"
    This question cuts to the heart of all human pride. Everything—every gift, every insight, every spiritual advantage—is received. Grace all the way down. There is no ground for boasting, no basis for inflation, no room for one believer to look down on another.
    Today Paul teaches us how to view Christian ministers—and in the process, how to view ourselves. We are all recipients of grace. We are all stewards of what we did not earn. And we all await the only verdict that matters: the Lord's assessment on the Day when He returns.

    Text: 1 Corinthians 4:1-7

    1 Corinthians 4:1–7 ESV
    1 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 faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment 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 each one will receive his commendation from God. 6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, 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 do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

    Main Idea: Since ministers are accountable stewards judged by Christ alone, any premature human judgment is inappropriate.

    Background:

    Paul uses two powerful images—servant and steward—to reframe how the Corinthians should view Christian ministers. Servants work under authority; stewards manage another's property. Both emphasize subordination to Christ, accountability to God, and the irrelevance of human evaluation. The only criterion that matters is faithfulness, and the only verdict that matters is the Lord's. The Corinthians' inflation is exposed as hollow: they have nothing they did not receive, so their boasting is absurd. Everything is grace. Pride is therefore not merely sinful but nonsensical.

    I. How to Regard Ministers (1-2)

    1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
    This is how one should regard us
    ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) — One, ”A person / Anyone": The singular ἄνθρωπος is generic: "a person," "anyone," "one." Paul is not addressing just the Corinthians but establishing a universal principle for how ministers should be regarded.
    λογίζομαι (logizomai) — "To consider / To regard / To reckon": This verb means "to calculate, to reckon, to consider, to regard." It implies thoughtful assessment—not casual impression but deliberate evaluation.
    ἡμᾶς (hēmas) — "Us": The "us" includes Paul and Apollos (and by extension, other ministers). Paul speaks for the group of teachers the Corinthians have been evaluating.
    as servants of Christ
    ὑπηρέτης (hypēretēs) — servants “Servant / Under-Rower / Assistant": This is the first key image, which originally referred to the rowers on the lower tier of a ship—those beneath the deck, pulling the oars, doing the hard unseen labor.
    By Paul's time, the word had broadened to mean any subordinate assistant—someone who serves under another's authority, carrying out orders rather than setting agenda.
    The term is distinct from other words for "servant":
    δοῦλος (doulos) Slave—emphasizes ownership and total subjection
    διάκονος (diakonos) Servant—emphasizes service and ministry
    ὑπηρέτης (hypēretēs) Assistant—emphasizes subordination to authority
    Paul used διάκονος in 3:5 ("servants through whom you believed"). Now he uses ὑπηρέτης to emphasize a slightly different aspect: not just service but subordination. Ministers work under Christ's command; they are not independent operators.
    Χριστοῦ (Christou) — "Of Christ": The genitive indicates whose servants they are: Christ's. Ministers belong to Christ, serve Christ, answer to Christ. This immediately relativizes human evaluation—the Corinthians are not the masters; Christ is.
    stewards of the mysteries of God
    οἰκονόμος (oikonomos) — stewards “Steward / Household Manager": This is the second key image. The οἰκονόμος was the manager of a household estate—typically a trusted slave or freedman who administered the master's property, finances, and affairs.
    Critical features of stewardship:
    Delegated authority: The steward acts on behalf of the owner
    No ownership: Everything belongs to the master
    Accountability: The steward must give an account
    Faithfulness required: The essential virtue is trustworthy handling
    The steward had real responsibility—but derived, not original. He managed what another owned.
    μυστηρίων θεοῦ (mystēriōn theou) — "Of the mysteries of God"
    μυστήριον (mystērion) — "Mystery": As established in chapter 2, "mysteries" in Paul's usage refers to God's revealed secrets—truths once hidden but now disclosed through the gospel. The content includes the gospel of Christ crucified, God's plan of salvation, the inclusion of Gentiles, and the coming resurrection.
    Stewards of Mysteries: Putting the two genitives together: ministers are stewards of the mysteries of God. They manage divine truths that belong to God. Their task is faithful dispensing of what was entrusted—not creative innovation but reliable transmission.
    Both images diminish ministers:
    They are not independent authorities but assistants
    They do not own the message but manage it
    They answer to Christ and God, not to human critics
    This reframes how the Corinthians should think about Paul, Apollos, and Cephas. Stop evaluating them as competing celebrities; start regarding them as servants and stewards.
    2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
    Moreover, it is required of stewards
    λοιπόν (loipon) — "Moreover / Furthermore": This adverb marks a transition: "what remains," "what follows," "moreover." Paul builds on the stewardship image to state its essential requirement.
    that they be found faithful
    πιστός (pistos) — "Faithful / Trustworthy": This is the key word in the verse. πιστός can mean:
    Faithful: Loyal, reliable, keeping commitments
    Trustworthy: Worthy of being entrusted with responsibility
    Believing: Having faith (less prominent in this context)
    In the stewardship context, πιστός emphasizes reliability—faithful handling of what belongs to another. The steward must be someone the master can trust.
    This is the cardinal virtue of stewardship. Not brilliance. Not impressive results. Not crowd-pleasing success. Faithfulness.
    εὑρίσκω (heuriskō) — "To find": The verb εὑρίσκω means "to find, to discover." The aorist passive subjunctive εὑρεθῇ means "be found"—when evaluation comes, when the master inspects, the steward must be found faithful.
    This points forward to the Day of the Lord. When Christ returns and evaluates His servants, the question will be: Were they faithful? Not: Were they impressive? Not: Were they successful by human measures? But: Were they trustworthy with what was entrusted?
    This verse provides the criterion for evaluating ministers. The Corinthians were using wrong criteria—eloquence, credentials, impressive following. Paul says there is only one relevant criterion: faithfulness.
    Since the master will be doing the inspection and providing the verdict in his time, that means there is…

    II. The Problem of Premature Judgment (3-5)

    3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
    But with me it is a very small thing
    ἐλάχιστος (elachistos) — "Smallest / Least": This is the superlative of μικρός ("small"). It means "smallest, least, most insignificant." Paul is not saying it means nothing—but it means very little.
    that I should be judged by you or by any human court
    ἀνακρίνω (anakrinō) — "To examine / To judge / To investigate": This verb means "to examine, to investigate, to judge, to call into question." It was used for judicial examination—the investigation of a case, the questioning of witnesses.
    Paul has used this word before:
    2:14: The natural person cannot understand spiritual things because they are "spiritually discerned" (ἀνακρίνεται)
    2:15: The spiritual person "judges all things" (ἀνακρίνει πάντα) but "is himself judged by no one" (αὐτὸς δὲ ὑπ' οὐδενὸς ἀνακρίνεται)
    ὑφ' ὑμῶν (hyph' hymōn) — "By you": The first source of potential judgment is the Corinthians themselves. They had been evaluating Paul—comparing him to Apollos, questioning his credentials, rendering verdicts on his ministry.
    Paul says: Your evaluation matters very little to me.
    ὑπὸ ἀνθρωπίνης ἡμέρας (hypo anthrōpinēs hēmeras) — "By a human day/court"
    ἀνθρώπινος (anthrōpinos) — "Human": This adjective means "belonging to human beings, characteristic of humans, human."
    ἡμέρα (hēmera) — "Day": The word ἡμέρα literally means "day." The phrase "human day" (ἀνθρωπίνη ἡμέρα) is unusual and likely means "human court" or "human tribunal."
    The expression plays on the contrast with "the Day" (ἡ ἡμέρα)—the Day of the Lord. Paul cares little about human judgment day; he awaits the divine judgment Day.
    In fact, I do not even judge myself.
    The Escalation: Paul escalates his point. Not only does he care little about the Corinthians' judgment—he does not even judge himself.
    This is remarkable. Self-judgment seems like the most immediate and obvious form of evaluation. Yet Paul dismisses even this.
    οὐδέ (oude) — "Not even": The οὐδέ intensifies: "not even myself." If Paul doesn't trust his own self-assessment, how much less should he care about the Corinthians' assessment? Paul explains why:
    4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.
    For I am not aware of anything against myself,
    The Clear Conscience: Paul claims a clear conscience. He is not aware of any unfaithfulness in his ministry, no hidden sin he is concealing, no way he has failed as a steward.
    This is not arrogance but honest self-assessment. Paul believes he has been faithful.
    but I am not thereby acquitted
    The Crucial Qualification
    This is the key point. A clear conscience does not equal acquittal. Paul's self-assessment—however honest—is not the final verdict.
    Why not? Because self-knowledge is limited. We have blind spots. We rationalize. We deceive ourselves (3:18). Even an honest person cannot see everything about themselves.
    "thereby." A clear conscience is not sufficient grounds for acquittal.
    It is the Lord who judges me
    The True Judge
    Here is the positive statement after the negatives. Paul cares little about human judgment (v. 3). A clear conscience does not acquit (v. 4a). But the Lord—He is the one who judges.
    ὁ ἀνακρίνων (ho anakrinōn) — "The one judging": The substantival participle describes the Lord's role: He is "the one who examines," "the one who judges." This is His function, His prerogative.
    κύριος (kyrios) — "Lord": The κύριος here is Christ (cf. "servants of Christ" in v. 1). Christ is the judge of His servants. He will evaluate their stewardship.
    This connects to Paul's earlier teaching. In 3:13-15, fire tests each person's work on the Day. Here the same reality is stated personally: the Lord is the one who examines Paul. So the conclusion is:
    5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment 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 each one will receive his commendation from God.
    Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time
    ὥστε (hōste) — "Therefore": The conjunction draws the conclusion from verses 3-4. Since the Lord is the judge, and since human judgment (including self-judgment) is insufficient—therefore:
    The Prohibition: μὴ... κρίνετε (mē... krinete) — "Do not judge": The present imperative with μή prohibits ongoing action: "Stop judging" or "Do not keep judging."
    πρὸ καιροῦ (pro kairou) — "Before the time": The phrase means "before the [proper] time," "prematurely." The καιρός ("time, season, proper moment") refers to the Day of the Lord—the time when judgment properly occurs.
    Human judgments now are premature. They anticipate a verdict that only the Lord can render at the proper time.
    before the Lord comes
    The Temporal Limit: The prohibition extends "until the Lord comes." The ἕως ἄν with subjunctive indicates an indefinite future time—whenever the Lord comes, that is when proper judgment will occur.
    ἔρχομαι (erchomai) — "To come": The reference is to Christ's return—His second coming, the παρουσία. At that time, He will render judgment.
    who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness
    φωτίζω (phōtizō) — "To bring to light / To illuminate / To reveal": This verb means "to shine light on, to illuminate, to bring to light, to make visible." The Lord will shine light into darkness, exposing what is hidden.
    τὰ κρυπτὰ τοῦ σκότους (ta krypta tou skotous) — "The hidden things of darkness"
    κρυπτός (kryptos) — "Hidden / Secret": This adjective means "hidden, secret, concealed." Things currently unseen will be exposed.
    σκότος (skotos) — "Darkness": Darkness is the realm of hiddenness—what cannot be seen because there is no light. The Lord's coming brings light that penetrates all darkness.
    and will disclose the purposes of the heart
    φανερόω (phaneroō) — "To make manifest / To reveal": This verb means "to make visible, to make clear, to reveal, to manifest." It is nearly synonymous with φωτίζω but emphasizes manifestation—making something publicly known.
    βουλή (boulē) — "Purpose / Counsel / Intention": This noun refers to deliberate purpose, intention, counsel, plan. It describes not just passing thoughts but settled purposes—the deep motivations of the heart.
    τῶν καρδιῶν (tōn kardiōn) — "Of the hearts": The heart (καρδία) in biblical anthropology is the center of the person—the seat of thought, will, and emotion. "Purposes of the hearts" refers to inner motivations that drive outward behavior.
    The Twofold Revelation: The Lord will reveal two things:
    Hidden things of darkness => External deeds now concealed
    Purposes of the hearts => Internal motives now invisible
    Both actions and motivations will be exposed. Nothing escapes the Lord's light.
    Then each one will receive his commendation from God
    τότε (tote) — "Then": The adverb marks the time: then—when the Lord comes, when hidden things are revealed, when heart-purposes are exposed—then praise comes.
    ἔπαινος (epainos) — "Praise / Commendation / Approval": This noun means "praise, approval, commendation." It is what the faithful servant receives—not condemnation but commendation.
    In context, the emphasis seems to be: wait for God's verdict rather than rushing to human judgments. The faithful will receive commendation from God—not from Corinthian critics.
    ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ (apo tou theou) — "From God": The source of praise is God—not human audiences, not self-assessment, but God Himself. This is the only praise that ultimately matters.
    Note: God’s coming judgment continuously reorients the Corinthians’ priorities—away from status-seeking and human approval, toward faithfulness that will withstand the fire of God’s assessment.
    1 Corinthians 1:8 ESV
    8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    1 Corinthians 3:13–15 ESV
    13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
    Paul drives this home by stating our evaluations do not matter, but it is God’s evaluation that matters since he is:

    III. The Source of All We Have (6-7)

    6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, 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.
    I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers
    He has been speaking about himself and Apollos throughout chapters 3-4. But the real issue involves other teachers in Corinth—perhaps local leaders who were causing division. Paul used himself and Apollos as examples to teach principles that apply more broadly.
    This is pastoral wisdom. By using himself and Apollos as illustrations, Paul avoids directly attacking specific individuals while still making his point clearly.
    δι' ὑμᾶς (di' hymas) — "For your sake": The purpose was pedagogical: for the Corinthians' benefit, so they could learn.
    that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written
    ἐν ἡμῖν μάθητε (en hēmin mathēte) — "In us you might learn": The phrase "in us" (ἐν ἡμῖν) indicates that Paul and Apollos are the examples through which the lesson is learned. By observing how Paul and Apollos regard themselves (as servants, stewards) and how they should be regarded (not as celebrities), the Corinthians learn the principle.
    What does "what is written" refer to?:
    Scripture generally: Do not go beyond scriptural teaching
    The OT quotations in chapters 1-3: The specific texts Paul cited (Isa 29:14; Jer 9:24; Isa 64:4; Job 5:13; Ps 94:11)
    The most likely interpretation is Scripture—either generally or the specific texts Paul has cited. The principle is: stay within the bounds of Scripture; do not exceed what God has revealed.
    Applied to the factionalism: the Corinthians were going "beyond" Scripture by elevating teachers in ways Scripture does not warrant. Scripture humbles human boasting (Jer 9:24); the Corinthians were boasting in men.
    Jeremiah 9:24 ESV
    24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.
    that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another
    φυσιόω (physioō) — "To puff up / To inflate": This is the characteristic Corinthian vice. The verb means "to inflate, to puff up, to make arrogant." It pictures a balloon or bellows—full of air but containing no substance. It describes the Corinthians' fundamental problem: spiritual inflation.
    The Pattern: ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἑνός... κατὰ τοῦ ἑτέρου (hyper tou henos... kata tou heterou) — "In favor of one... against another"
    This is exactly what the factions were doing. "I am of Paul" meant being for Paul and against Apollos. The factionalism was not neutral preference but partisan inflation—puffing oneself up through identification with a favored teacher while denigrating others.
    To sum up verse 6: Paul's use of himself and Apollos was related to teaching. The real targets were other teachers and the factionalism itself. By using himself and Apollos, Paul taught the principle without directly attacking specific Corinthians.
    Paul now ends this section with three personal questions:
    7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
    For who sees anything different in you?
    διακρίνω (diakrinō) — "To distinguish / To differentiate / To judge": This verb means "to separate, to distinguish, to differentiate, to judge between." The question is: Who makes you different from others? Who gives you any distinction or superiority?
    The implied answer: No one but God. Any difference, any advantage, any superiority is God's doing, not yours.
    The Shift to Singular: Note that Paul shifts to the singular σε ("you")—addressing individuals rather than the group. This makes the question personal and piercing.
    What do you have that you did not receive?
    The Central Question: This is the devastating heart of the passage. What do you have that you did not receive?
    The implied answer: Nothing. Everything—every gift, every ability, every advantage, every spiritual blessing—was received. None of it was self-generated.
    ἔχω vs. λαμβάνω (echō vs. lambanō) — "To have" vs. "To receive": The contrast is between having (ἔχεις—present possession) and receiving (ἔλαβες—past acquisition). Whatever you now have, you previously received. Your current possessions came to you from outside yourself.
    The Scope: What does "what you have" include? In context, it likely refers to:
    Spiritual gifts
    Knowledge and wisdom
    Church leadership and influence
    Any basis for pride or superiority
    But the principle extends further. Everything ultimately is received—life itself, abilities, opportunities, salvation. Grace all the way down.
    If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
    The Conditional: The conditional εἰ δὲ καί ("but if indeed") assumes the premise: you did receive it. This is not in doubt. The question is: given that you received it, why do you boast?
    To boast "as though you did not receive" is to act as if you generated what was actually given—as if you earned what was grace, as if you deserve credit for gifts.
    The Absurdity: The question exposes the absurdity of Corinthian pride. If everything is received, then boasting is irrational. You cannot take credit for gifts. You cannot be proud of what you did not produce.
    This is the death blow to all human pride. Pride assumes you have something you achieved. But you achieved nothing; you received everything. Pride is therefore based on a lie.
    Summary of verses 1-7:
    Verse 1: The proper view of ministers - Regard them as servants and stewards
    Verse 2: The criterion for evaluation - Faithfulness is required of stewards (Hebrews 13:17 “17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”)
    Verse 3: The irrelevance of human judgment - Human judgment matters little; Paul doesn't even judge himself
    Verse 4: Only divine judgment matters - A clear conscience doesn't acquit; the Lord is judge
    Verse 5: The command to wait - Don't judge before the time; wait for the Lord
    Verse 6: The teaching purpose - Paul applied this to himself and Apollos as examples
    Verse 7: The death of pride - Who makes you different? What do you have that you didn't receive?

    So What?

    Do we understand that we are to regard ministers as servants, not celebrities, and that they will be judged on their faithfulness, not impressiveness?
    Stop evaluating preachers by worldly standards—eloquence, charisma, following. Ask instead: Are they faithful stewards of God's truth?
    Whether you are a minister or a church member, God requires faithfulness—reliable, trustworthy handling of what He has entrusted. That is the measure.
    Do we understand that we are to find freedom from human opinion, and hold even our self-assessments loosely, and therefore, stop judging one another and ourselves prematurely?
    Stop living for audience approval. You answer to Christ. His verdict is the only one that ultimately matters. Let that liberate you.
    A clear conscience is good but not conclusive. You have blind spots. Invite feedback. Remain humble before the One who sees all.
    You cannot see hidden motives. You cannot fully evaluate another's heart. Wait for the Lord. Let Him render the final verdict.
    Do we understand that we must acknowledge that everything we have has been received?
    What do you have that you did not receive? Nothing. Therefore, boasting is absurd. Pride is irrational. Let this truth humble you and draw you to gratitude.
    Do we understand the absolute necessity of staying within Scripture?
    Do not go beyond what is written. Do not inflate leaders beyond scriptural warrant. Let God's Word set the boundaries for your thinking about ministers, church, and the Christian life.

      • 1 Corinthians 4:1–7ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 4:1ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 4:2ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 4:3ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 4:4ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 4:5ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 1:8ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 3:13–15ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 4:6ESV

      • Jeremiah 9:24ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 4:7ESV

  • I Sing Praises
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