Return to Studies in Corinthians
Presented, March 15, 2009 pm
3 Courts of Judgment
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
a.
Let a man
so consider us…
The word “consider” (NKJV) is translated “regard” in the NASU and
“account” in the KJV & ASV.
It is an accounting term that means, “to reckon, count, compute,
calculate, count over.” (Thayer)
It is associated with keeping records and would refer to an
accountant recording an entry into a ledger.
Having spent so much time refuting the wisdom of man and the
factions these brethren were carried away with, Paul now challenges
these brethren to RIGHTLY consider them.
He it telling them, “write this down” or “put this on record.”
We are…
b.
Servants
of Christ –
i.
The word,
“servant” here was a Greek word that meant, “an under-rower” (Thayer).
This was descriptive of the servant below deck who helped row
boats in the Mediterranean Sea.
It became a word to describe a subordinate.
Paul was using the word in that context.
ii.
We are all
servants. That is a concept that is continually emphasized throughout
scripture.
Gal. 5:13, 1 Peter 5:5, “…Yes, all
of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility…”
iii.
Even the apostles were servants.
While they were chosen to fulfill a position (and it was to be
honored), ultimately they were servants, just like EVERY OTHER
Christian. They were NOT to be honored the way a king demanded honor.
The respect they were to receive was based on what they did and
WHO they represented.
Namely, the fact that they were servants of Christ.
c.
Stewards
of the mysteries of God
i.
A steward
is a special type of servant.
The word literally means, “the manager of a household or of
household affairs.” (Thayer)
ii.
Understanding the role of a steward helps us see the role of elders
(Titus 1:7), gospel preachers, teachers, etc (and even apostles back
then). We are entrusted with
a responsibility to manage and preserve the true word of God.
IN our text, they were “stewards of the mysteries of God.”
We understand that to refer to the message of God’s plan of
redemption for all mankind.
iii.
Paul is
emphasizing that he and the other apostles and brethren, worked together
FOR God. It was NOT about
receiving the praise of men.
And that is the very thing the Corinthians were trying to do.
d.
Stewards
and faithfulness
i.
Paul
mentions a specific requirement of stewards here.
They were to be found faithful (KJV, NKJV) or trustworthy (NASU).
The word “faithful” here is a
word that describes a person who has shown themselves reliable in
carrying out business transactions, executing commands or discharging
official duties. (cf.
Thayer). It is a word that means one can be counted upon to do what
needs to be done. I suspect
that the steward of a household did not become such when they first
entered that house. It was
something that was proved over time.
We need this faithfulness as servants – Matt. 25:21 – the
servants that produced.
And it is proven with the little things we do.
Jesus said, “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also
in much…” Luke 16:10.
This is in the midst of a discourse dealing with our faithfulness
as stewards. Note vs. 13, “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and
love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the
other. You cannot serve God
and mammon.”
Often times it is the little things that determine one’s real character.
ii.
Notice that this is REQUIRED!
Every Christian is a steward of God’s word – and He EXPECTS us to
be faithful to that stewardship! This is yet another passage that calls
for total dedication to serving God.
He is not pleased with the half-hearted efforts of so many.
iii.
Paul’s point here is that his responsibility of faithfulness is to GOD
FIRST.
That is not to say these brethren were not important – they were.
That is why he wrote this letter and why he responds with other
correspondence later on.
BUT, being loyal to God came first.
And that loyalty would become evident to those who were sincerely
serving God instead of man. Which
is why they would honor and trust the apostles – because they had proven
themselves “faithful.”
a.
The
court of public opinion (a human court) (3a)
i.
The word
judge here means, to make “a judicial examination.” (WS Dictionary of
N.T.)
ii.
What had
caused these brethren to divide over who baptized them or was
instrumental in their conversion was an unacceptable attitude.
Paul does NOT desire for them to examine him and pass judgment by
their own opinions or in the minds of humans that he (or the others) was
something great. In other
words, they were esteeming one apostle above the others and binding
their personal judgments.
iii.
Lesson:
How many today pass judgments on others based upon human reasoning and
emotions rather than the truth?
How many today act based upon how they will be received by others?
There are many who will NOT preach the whole truth out of fear of the
consequences (cf. 2 Tim. 4:2-4).
There are many others who WILL face unjust consequences because they DO
preach the whole truth.
Don’t forget the words of our Lord
in John 7:24, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
iv.
Is how
others perceive us important?
The answer depends on what we mean.
IF it is a matter of choosing
between God and man, than what man thinks doesn’t matter (see Acts
4:19-20, 5:29 “We ought to obey God rather than men.”
BUT on the other hand, we should
care what others think so that we CAN win them to Christ – 1 Cor. 14:23,
when the church comes together there is to be some consideration of the
visitor. We become all
things to all men that we may win some – 1 Cor. 9:22.
Our speech is to be with grace, seasoned with salt – Col. 4:6.
The point here is, we need to be
aware of how we behave ourselves around others. BUT, this behavior must
FIRST and always be proper in God’s eyes, NEVER compromising the Lord
and His truth. But when
possible, we think about others.
v.
But
realize that when men make judgments, they CAN be wrong!
b.
Personal conscience (3b-4a)
i.
Paul went
on to say, “I do not even judge
myself. For I know of
nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this….”
Paul’s point here is that he doesn’t even put total confidence in
his own conscience.
ii.
The
conscience is important to us.
We need a good and pure conscience.
In fact, Romans 14:22-23 notes that we must act without doubting
in our lives.
Paul had always lived with a good conscience, even when he was wrong.
And that was his point here (Acts 23:1, 24:16, 2 Tim. 1:3).
iii.
The
conscience is a blessing to us from God.
We often hear references to training the conscience.
While I understand what is meant, the truth is it doesn’t need to
be trained. It is given to
us by God and it WORKS! (One
of those things that distinguishes us from the animals).
But it is ONLY as good as that with which it is taught.
One author compared it to a watch – that is only useful if it is set to
the proper time. Any other
time is not accurate and thus not helpful.
iv.
And like Paul’s conscience
in earlier days, it can be misled and many things can go wrong just as
with a watch. We can sear it
(1 Tim. 4:2), fill it with evil (Heb. 10:22), defile it (Titus 1:15),
etc. Paul thought he was
doing right (Acts 26:9), but later he learned differently.
v.
That is
why we must constantly study
and when we learn where we need to change, that is what we must do.
Paul put confidence in his conscience, in fact more so than the
court of human opinion, but there was still a “higher court” of judgment
that he appealed to.
vi.
NOTE: When
Paul said, “I know of nothing
against myself” he was NOT saying he was perfect, but that to the
best of his knowledge he was right with God.
However, he was not so arrogant as to think he was infallible.
As we live in good conscience, let us not be so arrogant as to
endanger ourselves for a fall (1 Cor. 10:12).
c.
The
Lord’s judgment (4b-5)
i.
“But
He who judges me is the Lord.”
This IS the judgment that counts above all others.
This is the judgment we need to prepare ourselves for.
This judgment needs to regulate our reaction to the courts of men AND
even our conscience.
ii.
There
is a day coming when we shall ALL stand in judgment before Him (2 Cor. 5:10).
Our Lord will preside over it (Acts 10:42).
And it will expose all things (Romans 2:16)
iii.
We need
to leave this judgment to the Lord
(vs. 5).
NOT only must we let Him be the final judge, let us put this in context
with our text. Concerning
favoritism, Paul tells these brethren NOT to show that type of judgment
– esteeming one apostle above others. Let God decide who is greater than
the others (as if He would do that).
But the point is let HIM judge.
iv.
Until
the Lord comes, who will bring to light
“the hidden things of darkness and
reveal the counsels of the heart.”(5) WHY should we not esteem man
one above the other? Because
we DON’T know hearts and we don’t know all the little secrets.
But God does (Heb. 4:13, Luke 12:1-3).
When He judges, all who are worthy will be rewarded.
He will NOT make a mistake.
Our text concludes
with the expression, “Then each
one’s praise will come from God.”
This is ONLY going to happen if we have our priorities in
judgment right. In the end,
will God praise you? Think
about it!