Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God. (1 Co 4:1–5).
Let a man so consider us.
In this passage, Paul's call for others to consider him, Peter, and Apollos in a certain way is directly related to the divisions within the church. Earlier, Paul was informed of the divisions among the believers, with some aligning themselves with Paul, others with Peter, and still others with Apollos. Paul asserts that they are all stewards of the mysteries of God. While we have previously discussed these mysteries, let us recap them once more.
The Mystery of Christ: In 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, Paul emphasizes that he proclaimed the testimony of God, not with lofty speech or wisdom, but with a focus on Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The mystery of Christ refers to the redemptive work of Jesus through His death and resurrection, which was not fully understood in the Old Testament but was revealed in the New Testament.
The Mystery of God's Wisdom: In 1 Corinthians 2:7, Paul speaks of a hidden wisdom of God that was kept secret before the ages but was revealed through the Spirit. This mystery refers to the divine plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, which was not comprehended by human wisdom alone but required God's revelation.
The Mystery of the Resurrection: In 1 Corinthians 15:51, Paul unveils another mystery, declaring that not all believers will sleep (die), but all will be changed at the last trumpet. He reveals the mystery of the future resurrection of believers when those who have died will be raised to eternal life and those who are alive will be transformed.
The Mystery of the Church: While not explicitly mentioned in First Corinthians, the concept of the Church as the body of Christ is a significant mystery revealed by Paul in other letters, particularly in Ephesians (e.g., Ephesians 3:4-6). The Church is described as the union of believers with Christ, forming a spiritual organism, and this truth was not fully understood in the Old Testament.
The apostle goes on to say, he was made a Stewart of these mysteries, meaning that these mysteries were entrusted to Paul and the other apostles to proclaim and teach to the early Christian communities.
I do not even judge myself.
In response to the divisions and factions within the Corinthian church, Paul expresses that he doesn't hold great importance in being judged by them or by any human court. He clarifies that he and the other apostles are servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries. By stating that their judgment of him is insignificant, Paul emphasizes his primary concern: to remain faithful to his calling as an apostle and a steward of God's mysteries. He further asserts that he doesn't even judge himself, highlighting his reliance on the examination and judgment of the Lord. Paul's ultimate goal is to be faithful to God, fulfilling his ministry, and seeking God's approval above the judgment of humans.
Judge nothing before the time
Paul's reminder to "judge nothing before the time" serves as a caution against hasty judgments and highlights the importance of relying on the wisdom and judgment of the Lord. A story from Paul's own life exemplifies this lesson. Once known as Saul, he harshly judged the followers of Jesus, believing they were misguided and heretical. However, a transformative encounter led to his conversion and a new identity as Paul. Through Paul's own transformation, believers learned the importance of not hastily judging others.
A time when Paul violates his own advice.
Yet, Paul himself violated this advice when he made a premature judgment on John Mark. In Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas disagreed on whether to bring John Mark on a missionary journey due to his previous departure. The disagreement led to their separation, with Barnabas taking John Mark and Paul continuing with Silas.
This incident shows that Paul, too, could make flawed judgments. However, it is essential to note that this event occurred before Paul wrote to the Corinthians, highlighting his growth in spiritual understanding. Subsequently, Paul's relationship with John Mark was restored, and John Mark became a valuable helper to the apostle. This story underscores the need for humility, growth, and reliance on the Lord's wisdom in our judgments.
Wrapping it up.
Today, let us prioritize unity, approach others with humility and grace, remain faithful to God's calling, trust in His judgment, and exercise patience and wisdom in our evaluations. By doing so, we can reflect the love and teachings of Christ, serve together in unity, and faithfully steward the mysteries of the Gospel entrusted to us.
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