The Bible Says
1 Corinthians 4:1-5 Meaning

In 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Paul presents how he ought to be viewed, which is as a servant and messenger of Christ who is accountable to Christ. He begins by admonishing the Corinthian believers to regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (v.1).

Paul ended the prior chapter admonishing, “So then let no one boast in men” (1 Corinthians 3:21). This includes Paul. Paul has been addressing a problem in Corinth, that the church was breaking into divisions over which teacher they were following, dividing among Paul, Apollos, and others (1 Corinthians 1:11-12). By this chapter in this letter to the church at Corinth, Paul has made the following points:

• Believers should unite in following Christ rather than divide in following men, even if those men are faithful teachers of God’s word.
• Believers should not be focusing on pleasing men or gaining rewards of men but rather upon pleasing God and gaining rewards from Him.
  • All we do in this life that is not for Christ will not last; it will burn in God’s judgment (1 Corinthians 3:15).
  • All we do for Christ will endure and be greatly rewarded (1 Corinthians 3:14).
• Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and if we defile God’s temple there will be dire consequences (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).
• We are saved through grace by faith based on the finished work of Christ, so none of this affects whether we are God’s child. But we don’t want to merely be saved “though as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:15). We want to thrive. And we do that by focusing on Christ, not men.

Now Paul turns to himself, how he should be viewed. In describing himself and his fellow workers as stewards of the mysteries of God, Paul draws on the cultural idea of a household manager responsible for the master’s property. The job of stewards is to protect and manage all that belongs to their master or boss. We can infer the function of a first-century steward from this saying of Jesus:

“And the Lord [Jesus] said, ‘Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time?  Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.’”
(Luke 12:42-44)

The idea of Luke 12:42-44 is that the master appoints those as stewards over his property who have shown themselves faithful in serving his household well. The Bible is explicit that Jesus seeks to discover which of His servants (those who believe in Him) will be faithful to serve others with their gifts. This is a primary means by which Jesus will judge His servants. Deeds done for others will be refined in the fire like gold and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3:12-13).

Believers who are found faithful in their service will be given stewardship over God’s kingdom and reign with Him (Matthew 25:21, Revelation 3:21, 5:10). In the prior chapter, Paul focused on this reality. It is arguable that we should truly view the end of our life on this earth not as the mere passage from this world to the next; rather we should include Jesus’s evaluation of our service and resulting appointment to station in the next life.

It is interesting that the Greek word translated servants in verse 1 is not “doulos” (translated “slave” in Luke 12:42-44). It is “hyperates” which is often translated “officer” as in an officer of the Roman army. The Roman officer has authority, but it is not independent of the command structure. The officer carries out his duties with careful attention to executing his own orders. Paul has spiritual authority, but serves the ultimate authority.

Paul was appointed to be God’s “instrument” to “bear [His] name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel” (Acts 9:15). He was also appointed to suffer for the sake of Jesus’s name (Acts 9:16). He is like a steward, exercising authority over something for which he has responsibility but does not own. He is like an army officer, exercising authority he was given to accomplish a mission. His mission is to spread the good news that God has redeemed humanity by coming to earth as a man; a message tied up in the mysteries of God.

Paul is as high up in the church as anyone (2 Corinthians 12:11). But he did not view that as a prize to be possessed. He viewed his apostleship as a stewardship. The mysteries of God were entrusted to him, and he understands that his job is to use his position to serve those in God’s household, just as Jesus taught in Luke 12:41-42.

By using the phrase mysteries of God (v.1), Paul alludes to truths once hidden but now openly revealed through Christ. As the foundational messenger or apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13), he worked tirelessly to take the good news of Jesus Christ to where it had not been heard (Romans 15:20). Jesus is the “Christ,” which means “anointed.” The Old Testament Hebrew word for anointed is “Messiah.” Jesus fulfilled the promises of the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17, Luke 24:27). ). (For more on the meaning of gospel, see our article on “Why Paul Refers to the Gospel as a Mystery”).

Paul wrote to the Colossians concerning the great mystery being: “Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:26-27).  Paul has made clear that he will answer to his master, who is Christ, not to any man. And this is the same for each person (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). That is a major reason why divisions created by following mere men are silly, because each person will be judged by Christ.

Paul continues: In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy (v.2). The Greek word translated In this case simply means “here,” referring to the particular instance of his stewardship of the gospel. Paul is saying that he views that he has a requirement to be found trustworthy as a steward. A steward that is trustworthy is one that faithfully carries out his duties. The Greek word translated trustworthy is “pistos” which is often translated “faithful.”

Just as a Roman officer is required to faithfully carry out his orders, so is Paul compelled to spread the good news. Just as a steward is required to faithfully manage his master’s household and property so is Paul required to faithfully manage the message and calling God gave him. Officers or stewards that are not faithful are dismissed (Matthew 25:26-28, Luke 16:1-2). Servants who are faithful are honored by being given more responsibility (Matthew 25:21).

Trustworthiness is the essential quality of a steward, more important than aptitude or personal display of power. In Paul’s era (circa A.D. 55), the early church was expanding throughout the Roman Empire in a world that saw many different rulers—Emperor Claudius (ruled A.D. 41-54) recently preceded Nero (A.D. 54-68). Paul taught that human authorities should be honored (Romans 13:1). But human authorities are temporary; God’s authority is over all. So our primary focus should be living to please Him.

To be trustworthy as an officer or steward means to carry out one’s assignment, to complete the job. Paul wanted the Corinthians to focus on who he represented—Jesus Christ. Paul does all to please Christ, and so should they.

We can make application to ourselves and learn from Paul’s attitude. Every believer is a steward of their gifts. Each is assigned to love God and love others. We are to use our gifts to serve others, as Paul will discuss beginning in Chapter 12. Paul will also describe what love looks like in Chapter 13. In short, love is a choice to act in the best interest of others, for the approval of God rather than man.

Faithfulness, being found trustworthy, also entails obeying Christ’s teachings. Paul clarifies that apostles and teachers are not owners of the mysteries but custodians, stewards assigned to care for God’s revealed truth. We see the same charge given to Timothy—an encouragement to guard what he received (1 Timothy 6:20). Jesus, on multiple occasions, talked of obedience to the commandments of God (John 14:15, John 14:21, John 15:10).

Since he is a steward to God, Paul should not be too concerned about how he is judged by people; which leads him to next write, But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself (v.3).

The way divisions occur is that people examine different leaders/teachers, such as Paul and Apollos, and decide which they should follow. Paul acknowledges that he is being examined, but calls it a very small thing. This is because he is not seeking followers. He is seeking people to follow Christ.

The Greek root for the phrase I may be examined early in verse 3 as well as examine at the end of verse 3 is “anakrino.” It is used in Acts 4:9 to describe being put on trial. It is used in 1 Corinthians 2:15 as well:

“But he who is spiritual appraises [‘anakrino’] all things, yet he himself is appraised [‘anakrino’] by no one.”
(1 Corinthians 2:15)

Judgment has been a core topic of this entire letter. People were judging/appraising/examining the leaders and picking sides (1 Corinthians 1:11-12). In Chapter 3, Paul directed each person to focus on their looming judgment before Christ rather than focusing on judging others (1 Corinthians 3:10). That is what Paul practices, as he says next: For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord (v4).

Paul is saying “I realize some say ‘I follow Paul’ and others ‘I follow Apollos,’ but I count this a very small thing, because I am focusing on the judge that matters. The real trial before the real judge is when we stand before Jesus” (1 Corinthians 3:11-15, 2 Corinthians 5:10-11). If someone says “Paul is amazing, what a great teacher,” Paul is not acquitted. By this he means, “That does not mean I will be judged a good steward and officer of Christ.”

For a military officer, it is only the superior officer whose judgment matters. For a steward, it is only his master. What everyone else thinks is a very small thing. Paul is focused on being a good steward of the mission he was given by Christ. And he invites all believers to follow this approach. Stop worrying about what people think and focus on pleasing our Master, the LORD of Hosts who is the superior officer over all authorities.

Paul’s remark stands as a correction to any believer who places personalities over mission. Who elevates oratory eloquence or personal charisma ahead of spiritual substance. Paul asserts that I do not even examine myself (v.3). If he decides, “I am doing great,” that does not acquit him either. In Matthew 7:22, Jesus gives a parable of people who stand before the judgment and assert their own evaluation of themselves. It turns out their evaluation has no standing.

Paul recognizes this. He will stand before Christ. He adds: For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord (v.4).

Paul asserts here that he recognizes he might stand before Jesus completely unaware of any fault, yet that does not make him faultless. Jesus will decide. He is the judge, not Paul. Paul stands before Jesus with no hint of self-rationalization. He recognizes that Jesus will reveal all to him. Given the picture of the judgement of Christ for believers that Paul painted in the previous chapter, we now see Paul’s motivation. He does examine himself, which is why he can say I am conscious of nothing against myself. Yet he leaves the verdict completely up to Christ.

This gives us insight into why Paul was so driven to be faithful. He recognized that his own opinion of his deeds was of no value. He did not set the standard, Jesus sets the standard. That is why he will say later in this letter each believer should recognize that “only one receives the prize” in a race. So, he says, “Run in such a way that you may win” (1 Corinthians 9:24).

Paul could say I am conscious of nothing against myself, then conclude, “Therefore I can relax.” But he does the opposite. He says the one who examines me is the Lord, and focuses his attention to living up to His standard. That is why he will say later that “I discipline my body” so that he might win the prize of pleasing God, the true judge of all (1 Corinthians 9:27). We can see that Paul also disciplines his mind.

Paul disciplines his mind by being intentional to choose a perspective that is true. Paul chooses to believe that God is the true judge, so we should not pretend we can usurp His authority by passing judgement on others:

Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God (v. 5).

There will be a time for passing judgement. But that time is when the Lord comes. It is He who will judge. So if we pass judgment on others, it creates divisions, which is bad, and will not stand against the judgment of God, so is therefore of no use. Which is why Paul urges them to stop judging.

We can see people’s actions, but we do not know the motives of their hearts. God is the true judge who knows us better than we can know ourselves, judging our thoughts as well as our intentions:

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
(Hebrews 4:12)

It is notable that in the judgment, when the Lord comes, He will bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and also disclose the motives of men’s hearts. The context indicates that the motives of men’s hearts will be disclosed to each person by God, which is why then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

Some people were praising Paul, saying “I am of Paul” (1 Corinthians 1:12, 3:4). Paul does not seek such praise. He seeks the praise that will come to him from God. And he urges all the Corinthian believers to do likewise. When we make Christ the measure, our standard for living and teaching rises above the fluctuation of human responses.

Paul does not exalt himself but acknowledges that his life, motives, and ministry are subject to Jesus’ searching gaze (2 Corinthians 5:10-11). Putting God’s perspective first frees us from undue concern with human approval. Paul’s outlook and humility come from a perspective rooted in redemption through the power of the cross and his identity as a new creation in Christ, as he asserts in 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 and Philippians 2:5-8.

The phrase the time within the larger phrase Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time refers to the time that is the return of Jesus. With His return will come His judgment of the world (Matthew 25:31-32, Acts 17:31, 2 Timothy 4:1, John 5:22, 27). The word Therefore connects this perspective of waiting for Jesus to do the judging to the prior verse that says the one who examines me is the Lord.

The point is “Since Jesus is the judge, let’s stop creating divisions by judging each other, when that is not our proper role.” Jesus also added another perspective that should lead us to defer judgement to Jesus. He said:

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.”
(Matthew 7:1-2)

Here is given an added motivation to defer judgment because, in this verse, Jesus discloses that whatever standard we use to judge others will be used by God to judge us. This is an application of the second greatest command, to love our neighbors as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:36-39). We should only judge others by the same standard by which we desire to be judged. But there is also a divine version of this golden rule, the mercy principle, that God will do to us as we do to others.

We can see this mercy principle, that God grants mercy to those who grant mercy to others, as a primary theme of the Sermon on the Mount. A few examples in addition to Matthew 7:1-2 are:

• The centerpiece of the Lord’s Prayer, where God tells us to pray that we be forgiven only to the extent we have forgiven others (Matthew 6:12). Jesus explains why this is the centerpiece in Matthew 6:14-15 where He articulates the mercy principle, that God treats us as we treat others.
• In Matthew 5:38-46, Jesus exhorts His disciples to love those who hate them and do for others what cannot be paid back so they can be rewarded as “sons” and receive treasures in heaven.
• In Matthew 5:7, Jesus states the mercy principle plainly, those who grant mercy will receive it in return.

The final evaluation of our lives and ministries will be revealed at that time when the Lord comes; when He returns to earth. Paul underscores that premature judgments about motives or faithfulness are of no value. This is because only God sees the things hidden in the darkness (v.5). In Scripture, light often represents God’s truth shining into hidden areas of the human heart (Psalm 139:1-24).

Culturally, ancient Corinth was a center of commerce and diverse philosophical voices, all of which might have encouraged hot takes and quick judgments. But the apostle urges the believers to refrain from such tendencies. If God is the rightful judge who will bring to light all things (v.5), then believers should exercise patience and grace when assessing others.

This certainly is not the path of least resistance in an era of social media, where judgment seems to be the norm and mercy is in short supply. The admonition for believers is to be continuously "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Jesus gained the great reward of being given all authority over heaven and earth for His faithfulness (Matthew 28:18). That was the “joy set before Him.” We are to be continuously “fixing our eyes on Jesus” and following His example. Paul admonishes believers to have the same mindset, perspective, or “attitude” that Jesus had and learn obedience through setting aside His own desires and following the plan and design of the Father, for which He was greatly rewarded (Philippians 2:5-10).

Jesus promises a similarly great reward to all believers who will overcome temptation to follow the world and self as He overcame (Revelation 3:21).

Paul’s teaching resonates with Jesus’ parable of the tares (Matthew 13:24-30). The point of that parable is that unfruitful tares and the life-giving wheat are not easily distinguished while in the field. Their true nature is revealed at the harvest. So it is with judging hearts. God will be the one who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts.

The phrase then each man’s praise will come to him from God again points to our desire for honor, reward, and affirmation away from the world, whose rewards perish. Rather, this directs our aim for reward to God, whose rewards will never perish (Matthew 6:19-20).