Bullet Point Bible - 1 Corinthians 4

Stewards of God's Mysteries

¹ One should think about us this way-as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.² Now what is sought in stewards is that one be found faithful.³ So for me, it is a minor matter that I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.⁴ For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not acquitted because of this. The one who judges me is the Lord.⁵ So then, do not judge anything before the time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the motives of hearts. Then each will receive recognition from God.

Paul defines Christian leaders (specifically apostles like himself) as "servants of Christ" (*hyperetas*, suggesting subordinate helpers) and "stewards" (*oikonomous*) responsible for managing God's household affairs.
Their primary responsibility is managing "the mysteries of God"—the previously hidden truths of God's redemptive plan revealed in the gospel.
Faithfulness to the Master (God), not popularity or human approval, is the essential quality required of a steward.
Paul dismisses the significance of human judgment, whether from the Corinthians ("you") or any human institution ("human court").
He even considers his own self-assessment insufficient for ultimate justification, highlighting the limitations of human conscience.
The ultimate and only valid judge is "the Lord" (Jesus Christ).
Paul warns against premature judgment ("do not judge anything before the time"), deferring final assessment until Christ's return.
Christ's judgment will be comprehensive, revealing both hidden actions ("hidden things of darkness") and inner intentions ("motives of hearts").
True commendation ("praise") comes only from God after this final judgment, contrasting with the Corinthians' current practice of praising preferred leaders.
This section aims to correct the Corinthians' judgmental attitude towards their leaders and redirect their focus to God's ultimate evaluation.

Do Not Go Beyond What Is Written

⁶ I have applied these things to myself and Apollos because of you, brothers and sisters, so that through us you may learn "not to go beyond what is written," so that none of you will be puffed up in favor of the one against the other.⁷ For who concedes you any superiority? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as though you did not?

Paul explicitly states he used himself and Apollos as examples ("applied these things") to teach the Corinthians a crucial principle.
The phrase "Nothing beyond what is written" is a call for humility, urging adherence to scriptural standards or the principles Paul has laid out, rather than human opinions or cultural norms.
The purpose of this principle is to combat arrogance ("puffed up") which fuels factionalism ("in favor of one against another").
Paul uses sharp rhetorical questions to challenge the Corinthians' sense of superiority and entitlement.
"Who concedes you any superiority?" (or "Who makes you different?") emphasizes that any distinction or ability comes from God, not themselves.
"What do you have that you did not receive?" reminds them that all their spiritual gifts, knowledge, and status are gracious gifts from God.
Since everything is received, boasting as if they achieved these things themselves is illogical and arrogant.
This directly confronts the pride that was fracturing the Corinthian church.

The Spectacle of the Apostles

⁸ Already you are satisfied! Already you are rich! You have become kings without us! I wish you had become kings so that we could reign with you!⁹ For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to die, because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people.¹⁰ We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, we are dishonored!¹¹ To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, brutally treated, and without a roof over our heads.¹² We do hard work, toiling with our own hands. When we are verbally abused, we respond with a blessing, when persecuted, we endure,¹³ when people lie about us, we answer in a friendly manner. We are the world's dirt and scum, even now.

Paul employs heavy sarcasm, contrasting the Corinthians' inflated self-perception ("already satisfied," "already rich," "become kings") with the harsh reality of apostolic life.
Their sense of having "arrived" spiritually is premature and disconnected from the apostles' experience. Paul implies they think the kingdom has fully come for them.
Paul's ironic wish ("I wish you had become kings") underscores the absurdity of their attitude while the apostles suffer.
He portrays the apostles as being "exhibited last of all," like captives condemned to death (*epithanatioi*) in the final, most degraded part of a Roman triumphal procession.
They are a "spectacle" (*theatron*)—a public display of suffering and humiliation—before the entire cosmos ("world, both angels and people").
Paul draws sharp contrasts: apostles are "fools for Christ," "weak," and "dishonored," while the Corinthians consider themselves "wise in Christ," "strong," and "distinguished."
He details the apostles' ongoing physical hardships: hunger, thirst, inadequate clothing, physical abuse ("brutally treated"), and homelessness.
They engage in manual labor to support themselves, countering the Greco-Roman disdain for such work.
Despite mistreatment (reviling, persecution, slander), the apostles respond with Christ-like virtues: blessing, endurance, and graciousness (*parakaleō*, to entreat or comfort).
They are treated as the lowest refuse of society: "scum of the world" (*perikatharmata*) and "dregs [or offscouring] of all things" (*peripsēma*), terms evoking utter worthlessness and societal rejection.
This section serves as a powerful rebuke to Corinthian pride by highlighting the true cost and nature of faithful apostolic ministry.

A Father's Admonition

¹⁴ I am not writing these things to shame you, but to correct you as my dear children.¹⁵ For though you may have 10,000 guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, because I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.¹⁶ I encourage you, then, be imitators of me.¹⁷ For this reason, I have sent Timothy to you, who is my dear and faithful son in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

Paul softens his tone, clarifying his motive: not primarily to "shame," but to "correct" or admonish (*nouthetō*) them lovingly, like a father guides his children.
He asserts his unique relationship with them: while they might have countless "guardians" (*paidagōgos* – tutors or guides), they have only one spiritual "father" in him.
A *paidagōgos* was often a slave who supervised a child, sometimes harshly, lacking the deep affection of a parent.
Paul's fatherhood stems from founding their community: "I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel."
Based on this paternal relationship, he urges them, "be imitators of me"—not in his apostolic status, but in his faithfulness, humility, endurance of suffering, and way of life in Christ described earlier (cf. 1 Cor 11:1).
To reinforce this, he is sending Timothy, described affectionately and endorsing his character ("my dear and faithful child in the Lord").
Timothy's mission is to remind them of Paul's "ways in Christ Jesus"—his pattern of living and teaching, emphasizing consistency ("just as I teach everywhere in every church").
This action demonstrates Paul's pastoral care and his strategy to address the issues through a trusted delegate before his own visit.

Paul's Planned Visit and Choice

¹⁸ Some have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.¹⁹ But I will come to you soon, if the Lord is willing, and I will find out not only the talk of these arrogant people, but also their power.²⁰ For the kingdom of God is demonstrated not in idle talk but with power.²¹ What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

Paul addresses the arrogance of some Corinthians who doubted his intention or courage to return and confront them ("as though I were not coming").
He affirms his plan to visit "very soon," qualifying it with submission to God's sovereignty: "if the Lord is willing."
His visit will involve an assessment: he will investigate not the mere "talk" (boastful words, rhetoric) of the arrogant, but their actual "power" (*dynamis*).
Paul declares a foundational principle: "For the kingdom of God is not characterized by talk but by power." True spiritual authority and life manifest in God's power, not empty claims.
This power refers to the demonstrable work of the Holy Spirit, moral transformation, and spiritual authority, contrasting with worldly influence or persuasive speech.
He concludes with a stark choice presented to the Corinthians, determining the nature of his impending visit.
Option 1: He comes "with a rod of discipline," indicating judgment and correction for unrepentant behavior.
Option 2: He comes "with love and a spirit of gentleness," possible if they heed his warnings and correct their ways.
The final question places the responsibility on the Corinthians; their response to his letter will dictate how he approaches them.
This serves as a final warning, urging them toward humility and unity before his arrival.

The Bullet Point Bible

1 Corinthians 4