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More I Corinthians commentaries

I Corinthians 1:1-9
Greetings and Thanksgiving

I Corinthians 1:10-17
Divisions in the Church

I Corinthians 1:18-25
The Message of the Cross

I Corinthians 1:26-31
Glory Only in the Lord

I Corinthians 2:1-5
Sharing the Gospel

I Corinthians 2:6-9
How to Have Spiritual Wisdom

I Corinthians 2:10-16
Bible Doctrine Steers the Spiritual Ship

I Corinthians 3:1-9
The Diet of a Growing Christian

I Corinthians 3:10-15
The Foundation of a Christian Life

I Corinthians 3:16-23
Avoid Worldly Wisdom

I Corinthians 4:1-5
Whose opinion really matters?

I Corinthians 4:6-13
God is looking for genuine humility

I Corinthians 4:14-21
Discipline in Love

I Corinthians 5:1-13
Immorality Must Be judged

I Corinthians 6:1-11
Don’t Sue the Brethren

I Corinthians 6:12-20
Stay Sexually Pure

I Corinthians 7:1-11
Counsel for Christians married to Christians

I Corinthians 7:12-24
Counsel for Christians married to non-Christians

I Corinthians 7:25-40
Counsel for the Christians who are not married

Whose opinion really matters?

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I Corinthians 4:1–5
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

St Augustine wroteWhere your pleasure is, there is your treasure.Where your treasure is, there is your heart.Where you heart is, there is your happiness.(In Who Said That by George Sweeting) … More

Stewardship

In this chapter, Paul presents three characteristics of a true minister of Jesus Christ:

  1. He is to be a faithful steward (vv.1-5).

A steward is one who takes care of another person’s affairs but owns nothing himself. In today’s world he might be called a manager. It is not my money (He is letting me handle it for a while), my church (He is just giving me a place to serve Him), or my children (They are on loan to us for a few years so that we can train them). A true minister is to be one who shares God’s wealth with the family of God. He may not please the members of his household. His responsibility is to be faithful to his master. He is to do what his master tells him to do. Paul brings to our attention three judgments in the life of a steward.

  1. What do you think of me? (v. 3a). Paul says that it doesn’t matter what the Corinthians may think of him. His Master’s judgment is what counts.
  2. What do I think of me? (vv. 3b-4a). It is not of supreme importance what a person thinks of himself. It is very difficult for us to judge ourselves. In fact there is a fine line between a clear conscience and a self-righteous attitude.
  3. What does God think of me? (v. 4b). The final and proper judge is the Lord. When He comes He will judge the acts and motives of all Christians. Then each person shall have the praise which is rightly due him.

 

Application

It is very tempting for me to judge fellow Christians by evaluating whether or not they are good followers of Christ. I must remember that it is only God who knows a person’s heart, and He is the only one who has the right to judge.

I Corinthians 4:1-5 (English Standard Version)

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 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. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 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.

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