Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:1
Verse 1. Let 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 ver. 6, and the third should have ended with the fifth verse. As of the ministers of Christ] wv uphretav cristou. The word uphrethv means an under-rower, or one, who, in the trireme, quadrireme, or quinquereme galleys, rowed in one of the undermost benches; but it means also, as used by the Greek writers, any inferior officer or assistant.
By the term here the apostle shows the Corinthians that, far from being heads and chiefs, he and his fellow apostles considered themselves only as inferior officers, employed under Christ from whom alone they received their appointment their work, and their recompense.
Stewards of the mysteries of God.] kai oikonomouv musthriwn qeou, Economists of the Divine mysteries. See the explanation of the word steward in the note on Matt. xxiv. 45; Luke viii. 3; xii. 42.
The steward, or oikonomos, was the master's deputy in regulating the concerns of the family, providing food for the household, seeing it served out at the proper times and seasons, and in proper quantities. He received all the cash, expended what was necessary for the support of the family, and kept exact accounts, which he was obliged at certain times to lay before the master. The mysteries, the doctrines of God, relative to the salvation of the world by the passion and death of Christ; and the inspiration, illumination, and purification of the soul by the Spirit of Christ, constituted a principal part of the Divine treasure intrusted to the hands of the stewards by their heavenly Master; as the food that was to be dispensed at proper times, seasons, and in proper proportions to the children and domestics of the Church, which is the house of God.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 1. Let a man so account of us , etc.] Though the apostle had before said that he, and other ministers of the Gospel, were not any thing with respect to God, and, with regard to the churches, were theirs, for their use and advantage; yet they were not to be trampled upon, and treated with contempt, but to be known, esteemed, and honoured for their works sake, and in their respective places, stations, and characters; and though they were but men, yet were not to be considered as private men, and in a private capacity, but as in public office, and as public preachers of the word; and though they were not to be regarded as lords and masters over Gods heritage, but as servants, yet not as everyones, or as any sort of servants, but as the ministers , or servants, of Christ; as qualified, called, and sent forth by him to preach his Gospel; as ambassadors in his name, standing in his place and stead, and representing him, and therefore for his sake to be respected and esteemed; and as such who make him the subject of their ministry, preach him and him only, exalt him in his person, offices, blood, righteousness and sacrifice, and direct souls to him alone for life and salvation: and stewards of the mysteries of God ; though they are not to be looked upon as masters of the household, that have power to dispose of things in the family at their own pleasure; yet they are to be regarded as stewards, the highest officers in the house of God; to whose care are committed the secret and hidden things of God; whose business it is to dispense, and make known, the mysteries of divine grace; such as respect the doctrine of the Trinity, the incarnation of Christ, the union of the two natures, divine and human, in his person, the churchs union to him, and communion with him, with many other things contained in the Gospel they are intrusted with.
Matthew Henry Commentary
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 a honourable office. Paul had a just concern for his own reputation, but he knew that he who chiefly aimed to please men, would not prove himself a faithful servant of Christ. It is a comfort that men are no to be our final judges. And it is not judging well of ourselves, or justifying ourselves, that will prove us safe and happy. Our ow judgment is not to be depended upon as to our faithfulness, any mor than our own works for our justification. There is a day coming, tha will bring men's secret sins into open day, and discover the secrets of their hearts. Then every slandered believer will be justified, an every faithful servant approved and rewarded. The word of God is the best rule by which to judge as to men. Pride commonly is at the botto of quarrels. Self-conceit contributes to produce undue esteem of ou teachers, as well as of ourselves. We shall not be puffed up for on against another, if we remember that all are instruments, employed by God, and endowed by him with various talents.
Greek Textus Receptus
ουτως 3779 ADV ημας 2248 P-1AP λογιζεσθω 3049 5737 V-PNM-3S ανθρωπος 444 N-NSM ως 5613 ADV υπηρετας 5257 N-APM χριστου 5547 N-GSM και 2532 CONJ οικονομους 3623 N-APM μυστηριων 3466 N-GPN θεου 2316 N-GSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
1. Ministers (uphretav). See on officer, Matt. v. 25. Only here in Paul's epistles.Stewards. See on Luke xvi. 1.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:1 {Ministers of Christ} (huperetas cristou). 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 (#Lu 4:20 the attendant in the synagogue) and the Acts (#Ac 13:5) of John Mark. The {so} (houtws) gathers up the preceding argument (#3:5-23) and applies it directly by the {as} (hws) that follows. {Stewards of the mysteries of God} (oikonomous musteriwn qeou). The steward or house manager (oikos, house, nemw, to manage, old word) was a slave (doulos) under his lord (kurios, #Lu 12:42), but a master (#Lu 16:1) over the other slaves in the house (menservants paidas, maidservants paidiskas #Lu 12:45), an overseer (epitropos) over the rest (#Mt 20:8). Hence the under-rower (huperetes) 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 (#Mt 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 (#Mt 13:51; 16:8-12). As stewards Paul and other ministers are entrusted with the mysteries (see 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 oikodespotes (#Mt 13:52), the members the oikeioi (#Ga 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.
