1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Stewards of God's Mysteries

Paul next said that inspired spokesmen should simply be thought of as servants and stewards. Vine says the word servant should be thought of as "an under rower." Further, he says it "came to denote any subordinate acting under another's direction." The idea included in the word "steward" is that of a servant in charge of food distribution in God's household. He is not responsible for providing the food, but is held accountable for it being properly dispensed to all in the household. They were given the food and were simply expected to do a good job distributing such. They did not have to discover truth, simply teach what was revealed to them (1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 1 Peter 4:10; Luke 16:1-12).

A man of God can only be judged by God. He does not have to please other men, the courts of men or even himself. Paul did not know of any wrong he had committed, but that did not make him right (Psalms 19:12; 1 John 3:19-21). God is the only just judge. As Paul told the Romans, "God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel" (Romans 2:16). God's judgment is fair because all facts are known to him. Paul would urge Christians, therefore, not to pass judgment on motives and hidden thoughts, but leave it to the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:3-5). "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10).