1 Corinthians 4:1

1 Corinthians 4:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
• New International Version (NIV)This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.
• English Standard Version (ESV)This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Context of 1 Corinthians 4:1

So then, let us [who minister] be regarded as servants of Christ and stewards (trustees, administrators) of the mysteries of God [that He chooses to reveal]. 2In this case, moreover, it is required [as essential and demanded] of stewards that one be found faithful and trustworthy. 3But [as for me personally] it matters very little to me that I may be judged by you or any human court [on this point]; in fact, I do not even judge myself.

1 Corinthians 4:1 word by word

Οὕτως ἡμᾶς λογιζέσθω ἄνθρωπος ὡς ὑπηρέτας Χριστοῦ καὶ οἰκονόμους μυστηρίων θεοῦ.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Letλογίζομαιlogizomai · to countG3049
• a manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• soοὕτωςhoutō · thus(-ly)G3779
• of usἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• of the ministersὑπηρέτηςhupēretēs · servantG5257
• of ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• stewardsοἰκονόμοςoikonomos · managerG3623
• of the mysteriesμυστήριονmustērion · mysteryG3466
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 4:1

• 1 Corinthians 4:13When we are slandered, we try to be conciliatory and answer softly. We have become like the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.
• 2 Corinthians 12:6If I wish to boast, I will not be foolish, because I will be speaking the truth. But I abstain [from it], so that no one will credit me with more than [is justified by what] he sees in me or hears from me.
• 1 Corinthians 3:5What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Just servants through whom you believed [in Christ], even as the Lord appointed to each his task.
• 1 Corinthians 9:16For if I [merely] preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, for I am compelled [that is, absolutely obligated to do it]. Woe to me if I do not preach the good news [of salvation]!
• Matthew 24:45“Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom his master has put in charge of his household to give the others [in the house] their food and supplies at the proper time?
• 2 Corinthians 4:5For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves [merely] as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.
• 2 Corinthians 6:4but we commend ourselves in every way as servants of God: in great endurance, in sufferings, in hardships, in distresses,
• 2 Corinthians 11:23Are they [self-proclaimed] servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if I were out of my mind—I am more so [for I exceed them]; with far more labors, with far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, and often in danger of death.
• Colossians 1:25In this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship which God entrusted to me for your sake, so that I might make the word of God fully known [among you]—
• 1 Timothy 3:6and He must not be a new convert, so that he will not [behave stupidly and] become conceited [by appointment to this high office] and fall into the [same] condemnation incurred by the devil [for his arrogance and pride].
• Luke 12:42The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward [of the estate], whom his master will put in charge over his household, to give his servants their portion of food at the proper time?
• Luke 16:1Now Jesus was also saying to the disciples, “There was a certain rich man who had a manager [of his estate], and accusations [against this man] were brought to him, that this man was squandering his [master’s] possessions.
• 1 Peter 4:10Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].
• 1 Corinthians 2:7but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom once hidden [from man, but now revealed to us by God, that wisdom] which God predestined before the ages to our glory [to lift us into the glory of His presence].
• Matthew 13:11Jesus replied to them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.
• Mark 4:11He said to them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you [who have teachable hearts], but those who are outside [the unbelievers, the spiritually blind] get everything in parables,

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 4:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Let a man so account of us - This is a continuation of the subject in the preceding chapter; and should not have been divided from it. The fourth chapter would have begun better at 1 Corinthians 4:6, and the third should have ended with the fifth verse ( 1 Corinthians 4:5;). As of the ministers of Christ - ̔ . The word ̔ means an under-rower, or one, who, in the trireme, quadrireme, or quinquereme galleys, rowed in one of the undermost benches; but it…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Let a man - Let all; let this be the estimate formed of us by each one of you. So account of us - So think of us, the apostles. As the ministers of Christ - As the servants of Christ. Let them form a true estimate of us and our office - not as the head of a faction; not as designing to form parties, but as unitedly and entirely the servants of Christ; see 1 Corinthians 3:5. And stewards - Stewards were those who presided over the affairs of a family, and…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The true character of gospel ministers. (1-6) Cautions against despising the apostle. (7-13) He claims their regard as their spiritual father in Christ, and shows his concern for them. (14-21) Verses 1-6 Apostles were no more than servants of Christ, but they were not to be undervalued. They had a great trust, and for that reason, had an honourable office. Paul had a just concern for his own reputation, but he knew that he who chiefly aimed to please men…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1Do not see Paul and Apollos as leaders competing for followers. They are servants of Christ, explaining God's mysteries. They are stewards managing the master's business (as in Luke 12:42). Their lives focus on their master's concerns, not their own. mysteries of God: See study note on 1 Corinthians 2:7.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-211Co 4:1-21. True View of Ministers: The Judgment Is Not to Be Forestalled; Meanwhile the Apostles' Low State Contrasts with the Corinthians' Party Pride, Not That Paul Would Shame Them, but as a Father Warn Them; for Which End He Sent Timothy, and Will Soon Come Himself. 1. account ... us--Paul and Apollos. ministers of Christ--not heads of the Church in whom ye are severally to glory (1Co 1:12); the headship belongs to Christ alone; we are but His…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 4:1

• Minister, Christian
• Servant
• Steward
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• God
• Christ, Messiah
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Account
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Instructor
• Offscouring
• Rod
• Shame

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings