Paul’s view of the present was based in the past (Christ’s death, resurrection and glorification) and the future (Christ’s judgment of man and His kingdom).
The Corinthians viewed their present life with an inaccurate application of the past and with incomplete understanding of the future.
Once again, correct theology (especially, eschatology) determines world views, attitudes and behaviors.
4:1
Paul concluded chapter 3 with a doxology of sorts and it appears he has finished on the subject of exalting teachers and their wisdom, but instead Paul apparently picks up the same theme. But yet, with a different twist.
Paul is now going to build on the concept that he is one of the “servants of Christ”.
Paul will carefully defend his apostleship.
Paul has just finished explaining that he and other leaders are merely servants for the people of God.
Now Paul has to tell them they need to listen to what he is saying and obey it without contradicting what he has just written.
Continues with two areas previously discussed:
1) Servants of Christ (Paul, Apollos, etc.)
2) Future judgment of these servants
The point Paul is making is that these servants of Christ will be evaluated (judged) by Christ himself and not by the Corinthians.
Paul is entrusted with the “secret things of God”. Who can evaluate him fairly and accurately if they don’t know the “secrets”? Clearly only God can judge Paul.
Paul belongs to them (3:21-22) but he is not accountable to them (4:3)
The Corinthians view of Paul may have been reflected in these previous statement
“us” refers to 3:22 – Paul, Apollos, Cephas
“servants” – ‘uphretaV huparetas is a general term for one who administrates the affairs of another. A person in the service of another.
“those entrusted” is oikonomouV oikonomous – a steward entrusted with managing a household. Often a slave in charge of the whole household. The word means that this person was entrusted with a great deal of responsibility and accountability. Focus of this word is on the fact that this person is accountable to someone else. In Paul’s case he is accountable to God and not to the Corinthians.
“secret things” musthriwn mystarion or “mysteries” The Corinthians would have been familiar with the “mysteries” of their Pagan religions. Paul uses the word (in an OT scriptural way) here.
4:2
Those who have been entrusted
must prove they are worthy of that trust.
The point is not only do they have the position they also have the
accountability.
The “servants of Christ” will be judged by Christ.
“Faithful” – pistoV pistos – the servant will be judge concerning how faithful they were in doing what they were assigned. Just like
4:3
This begins “But it is a matter of the least consequence to me, that I am judged by you.”
The Greek says,
”To me and for a very little thing it is that by you I am judged or by a human day.”
“by a human day” refers to a day of judgment held by man.
This compares to “The Day” in chapter 3.
Even Paul’s personal evaluations of his own performance are irrelevant.
4:4
Before Paul states, “It is the Lord who judges” Paul wants to clarify the statement “I do not even judge myself.” This could become a criticism in the hands of the Corinthians.
Paul tells them he has a clear conscience in regard to his own evaluation.
But, even a clear conscience does not make Paul or anyone “innocent” before God.
Consider 1 John 1:9
Your own clear conscience does not make you innocent before God.
4:5
So stop coming to conclusions and reaching verdicts you are not qualified to make.
Expose the motives because God searches the heart.
1 Sam 16:7
1 Chr. 28:9
Psalm 7:9
Psalm 139:1, 11-12
Jer. 17:10
Paul has established his doctrine so he know begins to apply them directly to the Corinthians.
4:6-13 is filled with sarcasm and irony as Paul finishes off the Corinthians false views and attitudes.
4:6
They are arrogant
4:7
They are outside of the boundaries of scripture
4:8-10
They have arrived yet Paul is still way behind.
4:11-13
A record of the apostle’s suffering.
Paul boast about what the Corinthians shun and seek to avoid
4:14-21 Paul reestablishes his apostolic authority:
Paul is correcting:
1) Bad Theology
2) Bad Behavior
4:21
The Corinthians can respond to Paul’s gentle instruction or they can resist him and face his “whip”.