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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - 1 Corinthians 4:1 - 4:1
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Ministers of Christ (hupēretas Christou). Paul and all ministers (diakonous) of the New Covenant (1Co 3:5) are under-rowers, subordinate rowers of Christ, only here in Paul’s Epistles, though in the Gospels (Luk 4:20 the attendant in the synagogue) and the Acts (Act 13:5) of John Mark. The so (houtōs) gathers up the preceding argument (3:5-23) and applies it directly by the as (hōs) that follows.
Stewards of the mysteries of God (oikonomous mustēriōn theou). The steward or house manager (oikos, house, nemō, to manage, old word) was a slave (doulos) under his lord (kurios, Luk 12:42), but a master (Luk 16:1) over the other slaves in the house (menservants paidas, maidservants paidiskas Luk 12:45), an overseer (epitropos) over the rest (Mat 20:8). Hence the under-rower (hupēretēs) of Christ has a position of great dignity as steward (oikonomos) of the mysteries of God. Jesus had expressly explained that the mysteries of the kingdom were open to the disciples (Mat 13:11). They were entrusted with the knowledge of some of God’s secrets though the disciples were not such apt pupils as they claimed to be (Mat 13:51; Mat 16:8-12). As stewards Paul and other ministers are entrusted with the mysteries (see note on 1Co 2:7 for this word) of God and are expected to teach them. “The church is the oikos (1Ti 3:15), God the oikodespotēs (Mat 13:52), the members the oikeioi (Gal 6:10; Eph 2:19)” (Lightfoot). Paul had a vivid sense of the dignity of this stewardship (oikonomia) of God given to him (Col 1:25; Eph 1:10). The ministry is more than a mere profession or trade. It is a calling from God for stewardship.