Ministers of Christ

Ministers of Christ

 

Reflection

Begin your study by sharing thoughts on this question.

1.  Think of someone who has served Christ for many years. In what ways has that person's example inspired you?

While no one should be placed on a pedestal or be compared by people in their evaluations, Paul clarifies how we should understand servants of Christ. I have had the privilege of witnessing a few good servants of Christ execute their various ministries devotedly as to the Lord Jesus. I need to be quick say it was not their ministry longevity, popularity, political savvy, or pulpit exploits that seized my considerations. Their level of commitment to Christ, and dedication in His will…to His plan, is what struck me as attractive or worthy of immolating. They were fixed on pleasing the Lord first and foremost. I have found such devotion to God, His plan, and the pursuit of God’s pleasure both stirring, correcting, motivating, and guiding through the years.   

Bible Reading

Read 1 Corinthians 4:1–6.

In 1 Cor 3, Paul presented three pictures of the local church. Now he presents three pictures of the minister - a steward (1 Cor 4:1-6), a spectacle (1 Cor 4:7-13), and a father (1 Cor 4:14-21). He wanted his readers to understand how God measured and evaluated a Christian’s service. First Corinthians 4:6 explains Paul's purpose: “That no one of you be puffed up for one against another.” He would deal with misplaced loyalty rooted in pride!

It follows then that all who minister for Christ are responsible to Him.^[a]

In order that they might properly appraise Paul and the other apostles, he says that the saints should look upon them as servants or assistants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.^[b]

We must avoid extremes when it comes to evaluating men and their ministries. On the one hand, we can be so apathetic that we accept anybody who comes along. But the other extreme is to be so hypercritical that Paul himself would fail the test.

It is important to develop discernment, that we “try the spirits” their teachings (1 John 4:1-6; and note 2 John), but we must be careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit in the process. In these three pictures of ministry, Paul presented three characteristics of a true minister of Jesus Christ

I.  Faithfulness - The Steward (1 Cor. 4:1-6)

II. Humbleness - The Spectacle (1 Cor. 4:7-13)

III. Tenderness - The Father (1 Cor. 4:14-21)

Discovery

Explore the Bible reading by discussing these questions.

2. Paul saw evidence of spiritual pride in the early church. Why did that trouble him?

A.  Here, the term “puffed up” is “spiritual pride” and refers to one Christian judging whether a fellow Christian is a good follower of Christ. Often that results in arrogance. Evaluating others tempts us with the attitude that we are better than they are. What are the long-term effects of this kind of pride?  Church splits, discouraged believers, loss of witness, etc.

The apostle challenges the respect due to him on account of his character and office, in which many among them had at least very much failed: Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God (v. 1), though possibly others might have valued them too highly, by setting him up as the head of a party, and professing to be his disciples. In our opinion of ministers, as well as all other things, we should be careful to avoid extremes. Apostles themselves were, 1. Not to be overvalued, for they were ministers, not masters; stewards, not lords. They were servants of Christ, and no more….^[c]

B.  Pride distorts our view of ourselves and others. Spiritual leaders and believers alike could be guilty of spiritual pride -- Leaders for thinking about their faith, education and training elevated them above everyone else, believers for trusting in their achievements, power, or position. Spiritual pride blinds us to our own faults and magnifies the faults of others. Be careful not to become proud of your area or opportunity of service. Instead, humbly thank God for what he has done, and encourage others who might be struggling in their ministry.

C.  QUOTE: “A popular game played by many Christians is that of evaluating pastors. All kinds of criteria are used to determine who are the most successful, the most influential, the most gifted, the most effective. Some magazines periodically make surveys and write up extensive reports, carefully ranking the pastors by church membership, attendance at worship services, sizes of church staff and Sunday school, academic and honorary degrees, books and articles written, numbers of messages given at conferences and conventions, and so on. As popular as that practice may be, it is exceedingly offensive to God.

First Corinthians 4:1–5 focuses on the true nature and marks of God’s ministers. It sets forth the basic guidelines and standards by which ministers are to minister and be evaluated. It deals with what the congregation’s attitude toward the minister should be and what the minister’s attitude toward himself should be. In short, it puts the minister of God in God’s perspective. Paul makes it clear that popularity, personality, degrees, and numbers play no role in the Lord’s perspective—and that they should play no role in ours.

The main point of the passage here still concerns the divisions over different ministers. The message is that servants of God should not be ranked at all, by others or by themselves. All who are true to Scripture in their preaching and living should be treated equally. Where there is sound doctrine and personal holiness there is no justification for ranking God’s servants. (Romans 16:17 and 1 Timothy 5:20, however, point out that where those two essentials are missing, there must be evaluation and confrontation.)” — John MacArthur

3.  We now understand that we should not “glory in men” from chapter 3.  But how should we view Christian servants?

It is vital that we understand how we evaluate Christian servants—pastors, evangelists, missionaries, ministers, full time Christian workers, and such. This is not dealing with how we view each other as average Christians, but how we view those in special ministries.

A.  They are Ministers of Christ. (1Cor. 4:1)

Paul answered the leaders of the various factions in the church when he called himself, Peter, and Apollos "ministers of Christ". The word ministers literally means "underrowers." It described the slaves who rowed the huge Roman galleys. "We are not the captains of the ship," said Paul, "but only the galley slaves who are under orders. Now, is one slave greater than another?"

B.  They are Stewards of God. (1Cor. 4:1)

Then Paul explained the image of the steward.

     1. A steward is a servant who manages everything for his master, but who himself owns nothing. Joseph was a chef steward in Potiphar's household (Gen 39).

     2. The church members are a part of the "household of faith" (Gal 6:10), and the ministers are stewards who share God's wealth with the family (Matt 13:52). Paul called this spiritual wealth "the mysteries of God." 

           — Paul and the other leaders had been entrusted with "The mysteries of God." This is God's sacred secret wisdom as revealed in the Gospel (1 Cor. 1:30; 2:7) -- the mystery of the complete plan of salvation.

           — These mysteries cannot be discovered or comprehended by human wisdom, but they have been entrusted to God's workers to be carefully and responsibly taught to others.

           — Some of the mysteries revealed in the N.T.

                    (1) the Mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven (Mt. 13:3-50; Mk. 4:1-25; Lk. 8:4-15). This describes "the result of the presence of the Gospel in the world during the present age, that is, the time of seed-sowing which began with our Lord's personal ministry and will end with `the harvest.' The result is the mingled tares and wheat, good fish and bad, in the sphere of Christian profession. It is Christendom" (Scofield).

                    (2) the Mystery of the Rapture (1 Co. 15:51,42; 1 Th. 4:16). The mystery revealed here is that those believers living at the time of Christ's appearance will be glorified and caught up without seeing death. "The O.T. prophets saw the return of Christ to the earth with His saints in power and glory, but not His coming to the air for the saints."

                    (3) the Mystery of the Local Church as the Body of Christ, Composed of Saved Jews and Gentiles of this Age (Ro. 16:25; Ep. 3:1-11; 6:19; Co. 4:3). "The O.T. does not mention anything about the founding of the N.T. Church by Christ, the component members of N.T. churches (Ep. 3:3-9), or the special relationship Christ has with His churches (Ep. 5:23-32; Re. 1:12,13,20)."

                    (4) the Mystery of the Indwelling Christ (Ga. 2:20; Col. 1:26-27).

                    (5) the Mystery of the Incarnate Christ, of God manifest in the flesh (Col. 2:2,9; 1 Co. 2:7; 1 Ti. 3:16).

                    (6) the Mystery of Israel's Blindness, that Israel would be blinded and set apart while God called out a people for His name from among the nations (Ro. 11:25).

                    (7) the Mystery of Babylon (Re. 17:5,7). "The Babylonian system is seen throughout the O.T. narrative, but this final form of a one-world religion as a tool of the Antichrist (Re. 17:7) is N.T. truth."

                    (8) the Mystery of Iniquity (2 Th. 2:7). This is the revelation of the devil's program to bring in the antichrist; it is the revelation of the increase of apostasy throughout the church age.

                    (9) the Mystery of God (Re. 10:7). This mystery is in reality the long time span of this present age of man. "The mystery of God is the long delay of our Lord in taking the kingdom unto Himself and in establishing righteousness in the earth. The mystery of God is seen in these thousands of years ... God has allowed Satan to wrap his vicious slimy, filthy, cruel tentacles around this earth" (H.L. Willmington, The King Is Coming).

                    (10) the Mystery of Consummation (Ep. 1:9,10). This may be described as the mystery of eternity. (Some of the previous study is taken from Robert Sargent.)

     3. The responsibility of the steward is to be faithful to his master. A steward may not please the members of the household; he may not even please some of the other servants; but if he pleases his own master, he is a good steward. This same idea is expressed in Rom 14:4.

     4.  So, the main issue is not "Is Paul popular?" or, "Is Apollos a better preacher than Paul?" The main issue is, "Have Paul, Apollos, and Peter been faithful to do the work God assigned to them?"

           — Jesus had this same test in mind when He told the parable recorded in Luke 12:41-48.

           — If a servant of God is faithful in his personal life, in his home, and in his ministry of the Word, then he is a good steward and will be adequately rewarded.

     5.  Faithful—Trustworthy (1 Cor 4:1-2)

Paul and the other church leaders were "ministers of Christ" (4:1). Christ's true servants prove themselves through their personal character and the content of their teaching. Over a period, servant-leaders must demonstrate both aspects of their calling.

          — Paul knew that leaders in the church played crucial roles in God's plan, but he also knew the difference between ability and usability. The Corinthians were arguing over credentials; Paul wanted them to listen to those who were serving them in Christ's name.

          — He wasn't worried about his declining popularity. He was concerned about the true spiritual health of fellow Christians he loved.

          — How does someone get your attention as a Christian leader? Are you more impressed by a person's image or the evidence of personal integrity? What servant-leader for Christ has made the deepest impact on your life? Take time to thank God for that person.

4.  Is it right to judge the quality of another servant’s work for the Lord Jesus?  Explain.

It should be remembered that it is a virtue to be discerning (based on God’s own requirements), but it is never advisable to be harsh, fault finding, judgmental, and critical.

A.  A Servant of Christ Is Constantly Being Judged (Examined).

There is always somebody criticizing something he does. Paul pointed out that there are three judgments in the life of the steward.

   1. There Is Man's Judgment (1Cor. 4:3 A).

Paul did not get upset when people criticized him, for he knew that his Master's judgment was far more important. The phrase man's judgment is literally "man's day." This is in contrast to God’s day of judgment yet to come (1 Cor 1:8; 3:13).

   2. There Is the Servant's Own Self-judgment (1Cor. 4:3 B-4 A).

Paul knew nothing that was amiss in his life and ministry, but even that did not excuse him. Sometimes we do not really know ourselves. There can be a fine line between a clear conscience and a self-righteous attitude, so we must beware.

   3. The Most Important Judgment Is God's Judgment (1Cor. 4:4 B).

         A.  Certainly, God judges us today through His Word (Heb 4:12) and by the ministry of the Spirit.           

         B.  Sometimes He uses the ministry of a loving friend to help us face and confess sin (Matt 18:15-17).

         C.  But the main reference here is to the final evaluation when each Christian stands at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Rom 14:10; 2 Cor 5:10). Then the true facts will be revealed, and the faithful servants rewarded.

Therefore premature judgment, whether it led to the exaltation of some ministers (3:21) or to the humiliation of others (4:10), was wrong. Only at the divine bar would all the facts be known and even there grace will be displayed—each faithful minister will receive … praise.^[4]

         D.  The Lord will examine “the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.” These refer to the inner motives, thoughts, and attitudes which only God can know. Since final rewards will be based, not just on outward service, but on inward devotion (1Cor.10:31), only God can give the praise each deserves. See 1Cor. 3:12–14.

B.  QUOTE: “Servants should be consistent, not critical. Paul refused to pass judgment on the quality of his or anyone else's work for Christ, realizing that Christ would someday do this at the bema judgment seat. Until then, as a servant of Christ, his job was to remain faithful.”  — H. Willmington

C.  These Verses must Not Be Used to Cultivate a Self-righteous Independence of People. The local church is a family, and members of the family must help each other to grow. There is a place for honest, loving criticism (Eph 4:15). If the critic is biblically right, then he has helped us. If he is wrong, then we can help him. Either way, the truth is strengthened. A harsh and judgmental attitude is never sanction in the Word.

   1. Paul’s "therefore" in 1 Cor 4:5 alerts us that he is about to make a personal application of the truths just discussed. He closed this section with a threefold rebuke.

   2.  First, Paul Tells Them They Are Judging God's Servants at the Wrong Time (V. 5).

         — It is when the Lord returns that He will evaluate their lives and ministries, so wait until then. In fact, you cannot see into men's hearts; you cannot begin to judge their motives. Only God can do that. "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" (1 Sam 16:7).

         — The Corinthians who were passing judgment on Paul were actually "playing God" and assuming to themselves the privileges that only God has. How often in my own ministry I have made this mistake! How easy it is to misread a situation and misjudge a person.

   3. Second, Paul Tells Them They Are Judging by the Wrong Standard (V. 6 A).

        — The Corinthians were measuring different men by their own personal preferences and prejudices. They were even comparing ministers with one another. The only true basis for evaluation is "that which is written" - the Word of God.

        — The Bible clearly reveals what kind of life and service is required of God's ministers. There is no need for us to devise new standards. Sometimes churches seeking pastors, ask for recommendations of candidates to them.        

        — Too often their "requirements" have gone beyond what God requires in His Word. Again, it is the problem Paul discussed in 1 Cor 1 and 2 - the wisdom of men versus the wisdom of God.

When the apostle says “I know of nothing against myself,” he means that in the matter of Christian service, he is not conscious of any charge of unfaithfulness that might be brought against him. He does not mean for a moment that he does not know of any sin in his life or any way in which he falls short of perfection! The passage should be read in the light of the context, and the subject here is Christian service and faithfulness in it. But even if he did not know anything against himself, yet he was not justified by this. He simply was not competent to judge in the matter. After all, the Lord is the Judge.^[5]

   4. Third, Paul Tells Them They Are Judging with the Wrong Motive (1Cor. 4:6 B).

        — Each group in the church was tearing down the other preachers in order to build up the man they liked. Their motive was not at all spiritual. They were promoting division in the church by being partisan to one man as opposed to the others. They needed to examine their own hearts and get rid of the pride - that was destroying the church.

        — God's servants are stewards of His truth, and the key test is: Have they been faithful to God by obeying and to teaching the Word of God? Not just faithful preaching, but faithful practicing as well.

        — The testimony of Samuel (1 Sam 12:1-5) and Paul (Acts 20:17) will bear witness to this truth.

 

Prayer

Father, forgive us for our arrogance; for acting as though we can accomplish great things on our own. We are nothing without you. Teach us to recognize our complete dependence on you and to surrender our desires and ambitions. Make our service more pleasing in your sight.

Journaling

Take a few moments to record your personal insights from this lesson.

 

What personal goals or desires do I need to reevaluate, in light of this passage?

 

Additional Questions

5. In what ways can we curb our appetite for prestige and power?

 

Ask the group what feeds our appetite for prestige and power, while you discuss how we can curb that appetite.

 

6.  When God gives us success in ministry, how can we guard against pride?

 

7.  How can we give God credit for the things he has accomplished through us?

 

You may want to ask for examples of public figures who have openly given God the glory for their success. Discuss what holds us back from being open about our faith.

 

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^[a] David K. Lowery, “1 Corinthians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 512.

^[b] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1757.

^[c] Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 2250.

^[4] David K. Lowery, “1 Corinthians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 512.

^[5] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1757.