1 Corinthians 4:11-6

Christ = Χριστός = Christos =  anointed, that is, the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus: - Christ.

Mysteries = μυστήριον = mustērion =  a secret or “mystery” (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites): - mystery.

 

1 Corinthians 4:1 ESV

This    is        how    one

should regard us,

as servants of Christ

and                                                                    stewards of the mysteries of God.

The term mystery or mysteries is used 24 times in the New Testament.  Twenty of those occurrences are in the writings of the Apostle Paul. Four times the term occurs in his first letter to the Corinthian Christians.

Use of Musterion in 1Corinthians
1 Cor. 4:1	1 Cor 13:2	1 Cor 14:2	1 Cor 15:51

Mystery religions were common during the time of Paul. They were mysteries in that certain rituals and scripts were not for the public but were held in secret by the adherents of the mystery religion.

But the Apostle Paul is making public the “mysteries” related to the Christian faith. The tenets of the faith remain mysterious because the wisdom of God turns the wisdom of man upside down. Who can believe that God gave himself for the sake of saving his own wicked and rebellious creation.  That could not have been foreseen by human wisdom nor could it be believed to be so by current religious and philosophical leaders.

1 Corinthians 4:2 ESV
Moreover,     it         is        required        of stewards

that                                                                               they be found faithful.

Found = εὑρίσκω = heuriskō = to find (literally or figuratively): - find, get, obtain, perceive, see.

 

Judge = ἀνακρίνω = anakrinō = properly to scrutinize, that is, (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine: - ask, question, discern, examine, judge, search.

1 Corinthians 4:3 ESV

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.

1 Corinthians 4:4 ESV
For     I          am not aware          of anything

against myself,

but      I          am not thereby acquitted.

It is the Lord who

judges me.

 1 Corinthians 4:5 ESV

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.

There are three takeaways from these 3 verses. First, we should not be worried about what people think about us if we are doing what we believe God wants us to do. God is the judge of our hearts and actions. 

Secondly, the applause of those around us is not the final arbiter of whether we are right or wrong.  God is the judge of our hearts, our motivations, and our actions.

Thirdly, if we are so concerned about what others think maybe we should be more focused on what God reveals and his judgment for it appears that the thoughts and motivations of our hearts may be visible for all to see on that day.  At the very least God’s commendation or lack thereof will be public knowledge.

The locus of all judgment is God.  It is his response to us that is important and eternal.  What others may or may not think or say about us is, in the long run, totally inconsequential.  We all shall be scrutinized by God and his verdict on us is the most important decision.  In fact, it is the only decision that counts.

 1 Corinthians 4:6 ESV

I          have applied            all these things

to                  myself

and                                    Apollos          for your         benefit,          brothers,

that     you     may learn      by us             not to go                  beyond what is written,     

that     none of you   may be puffed up               in favor

of one against another.

Politics is subtle element of all interpersonal relationships. Our egos are ever present and always active.  As Christ followers we are to be humble, seeking the benefit of others over that of ourselves.

Philippians 2:3 ESV
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

All too often politics takes over in a church and egos are elevated.  Sides are chosen and frustration, even division, are the result

The Apostle Paul warns the Christians in Corinth against such situations. The leadership will be judged by God as to whether they did their jobs correctly or not.  Rather than choosing sides the congregation was to respect all leaders and listen to them leaving judgment up to God.  Anything else would eventually lead to problems for the church.

Why do we gather together on a regular basis?  Some would way to hear preaching. Everyone has their favorite preacher, one who seems to speak to their needs.  But preaching is not the only reason or maybe even the most important reason we gather.

First, and foremost, we gather to worship God.  It is a time for bowing before him with like-minded people and acknowledging his sovereignty and grace in our lives. We gather prayerfully and repentantly offering ourselves to him and asking for forgiveness for our sinfulness and failures. We gratefully receive his forgiveness. 

Secondly, it is a time to hear his word expounded so that we may know his will and live lives more reflective of his presence in us. In hearing the word and submitting to it, we are made clean.

John 15:3 ESV
Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

Pastors and teachers in the church should always ask themselves: Have I brought the word to my listeners so they can be cleansed by it, or have I preached or taught pacify the complacent and receive accolades from those present?

Thirdly gathering together allows us the opportunity to use our spiritual gifts for the benefit of our fellow believers.  The Holy Spirit has spread his gifts in such a way that his people can be encouraged and corrected and supported in our daily Christian walk. We should ask ourselves what have we done to build up the body of believers, a temple to the living God.

Romans 12:6 ESV
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them….