1 Corinthians 4:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

1 Corinthians 4:1

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

Account

1 Corinthians 4:13

2 Corinthians 12:6

The ministers

And stewards

Mysteries

Bible References

Account

when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

Though if I should boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.

The ministers

What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord assigned to each one.

For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion. For woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?

For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

But as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, distresses,

Are they servants of Christ? I am a better oneI am talking like a madmanin far more labors, in far more imprisonments, with more beatings, and often in danger of death.

Of this church I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall into the same condemnation as the devil.

And stewards

And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?

He also said to his disciples: "There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.

For the overseer must be blameless as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not fond of sordid gain,

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of God's varied grace.

Mysteries

But we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and which God destined for our glory before the ages.

And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but to those outside everything is in parables;

he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others it is given in parables, so that 'Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.'

Now to him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret for long ages

he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,

that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.

and also pray for me, that in the opening of my mouth, utterance may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.

that their hearts may be encouraged as they are knit together in love, to have all the riches of assured understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ himself,

And pray for us as well, that God may open a door to us for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains,

they must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.