I Corinthians 4:1-13
The Examples of Apostles

Today, 04/27/2023, let us, together in the grace of God, rejoice and reflect on the Word of God in I Corinthians 4:1-13.

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

2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.

11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;

12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

[King James Version]

Suggested Questions:

1. What does the phrase “stewards of the mysteries of God” mean?

2. What does Paul mean when he says in verse 3, “I do not even judge myself”?

3. What judgment is the clause “do not judge before the appointed time” referring to in verse 5?

4. What does the clause “not to think beyond what is written” in verse 6 mean?

5. What does Paul mean by using the phrase “to rule as kings” in verse 8?

6. What does it mean to be “foolish for the sake of Christ” and what does it mean to be “wise in Christ”?

7. Why is God the Protector of His people, yet did the apostles suffer hunger, thirst, nakedness, beatings, and homelessness?

8. What does this sentence mean: “We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of all things, even now”?

Suggested Applications:

1. What did you learn from Paul’s description of the lives of the apostles?

2. Are you currently facing difficulties and adversity while striving to live according to the Word of God and serve Him?

3. Do you share the burden of those who serve the Lord in the Church?