1 Corinthians 4:1

Let. man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

'Let. man so account of us' -'Paul takes up again (from 1 Corinthians 3:5-8) the discussion of God's preachers and how they should be viewed.' [Note:. McGuiggan p. 54]

-'Let. man regard us in this manner' (NASV); 'Let men look upon us as' (TCNT)

'account' -a habitual estimate. 'The verb means "consider", but this is. considering that is due, not to mere feeling, liking, or casual impression, but to. careful estimation of the reality. The Corinthians are not considering what their teachers actually are.' (Lenski p. 161)

'us' -i.e. Paul, Apollos, Peter

'ministers' -5257. huperetes hoop-ay-ret'-ace; from 5259 and. derivative of eresso (to row); an under-oarsman, i.e. (generally) subordinate (assistant, sexton, constable): -minister, officer, servant.

'The word used here originally meant an "under-rower" on one of the galleys.' (McGuiggan p. 54)

'It always refers to. service of any kind which in structure and goal is controlled by the will of him to whom it is rendered; implied, also, is the idea of acceptance of subordination-willing obedience.' [Note:. Willis p. 127]

'of Christ' -simply Christ's attendants and not heads of religious groups.

Points to Note:

1. Therefore, all preachers should only simply strive to preach what Christ taught. We don't need to develop our "own theology" and our own "opinion" doesn't count, it isn't even wanted. (1 Peter 4:11)

2. 'Minister'-means that. am. servant of Christ and His will is the only "will" that counts in my life.

'Every apostle and every minister..is only an underling,. helper, or an attendant of Christ. His sole function is to take orders and at once and without question to execute them. His will is only that of his Master.' (Lenski p. 161)

'In order to emphasize the significance of this position of the ministers Paul adds. second designation.' (Lenski p. 162)

'stewards' -3623. oikonomos oy-kon-om'-os; from 3624 and the base of 3551;. house-distributor (i.e. manager), or overseer, i.e. an employee in that capacity; by extension,. fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively,. preacher (of the Gospel): -chamberlain, governor, steward.

'The steward..was in charge of the whole administration of the house or the estate; he controlled the staff; he issued the supplies and the rations; he ran the whole household; but, however much he controlled the household staff of slaves, he himself was still. slave where the master was concerned. Whatever be. man's position in the Church, and whatever power he may yield there or whatever prestige he may enjoy, he still remains the servant of Christ.' [Note:. Barclay p. 41]

'mysteries of God' -i.e. the truths found in the gospel. (1 Corinthians 2:7-13)

Points to Note:

1. The word "steward" implies "authority". The apostles including Peter and Paul and inspired men such as Apollos were "stewards" in the household of God. (1 Timothy 3:15) They were servants of Christ, and yet they had been given delegated authority.

2. Paul often reminds Timothy, that being entrusted with the truth carries the awesome responsibility to deliver such truth to the next generation in it's pure form. He often spoke of the gospel being "entrusted" to him and others (1 Timothy 1:11; 1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 1:14; 2 Timothy 2:2)