1 Corinthians 4:3-4

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:1-7

A true and a false estimate of genuine ministers of the gospel "Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ," etc. Here we have— I. A TRUE ESTIMATE of genuine ministers of the gospel. 1. They are servants of Christ. "Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ." There are some who regard ministers of the gospel as servants of their Church. The Churches guarantee their stipend, and they require that their dogmas shall be propounded and their laws... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:1-7

Ministers as stewards. The idea of the ministry as a Divine institution, set apart as a peculiar calling and charged with an infinite trust, cannot as yet relax its hold on St. Paul's mind. Tenacity of a great truth is not altogether a matter of our volition. At first the will has much to do in directing attention to a truth and keeping it fixed; but in no long time, if the man has trained himself to reflect, and, above all, if he is an earnest man, the truth recurs by some process of self... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:3

But . The Corinthians might have expected that the conclusion of St. Paul's remarks would be a recognition of their right to sit in judgment on his faithfulness; but it is, on the contrary, an expression of his complete indifference to their shallow and unfair estimate, and an appeal to the approval of his own conscience and to the judgment of the Lord. It is a very small thing; literally, it is for the least. That I should be judged of you; rather, that I should be examined by you (... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:3-5

Judgment, human, and Divine. No man can work entirely with reference to his own labours and his own opinion of them. We all need to live under the sense that others are taking some notice of what we do; and with most there is danger of attaching exaggerated importance to human criticism. But it is well for us to cherish the feeling of the nearness and the supervision of the omniscient Searcher of hearts. In this passage St. Paul represents the effect which both human and Divine judgment... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:3-5

Human and Divine judgments. I. REFLECT THAT HUMAN JUDGMENT IS FALLIBLE . It is needful to remember this. Many laugh at "infallibility" when it affects a pope at Rome, but are much disposed to believe in it when it affects a pope at home. We should not forget that 1. To take heed how we pronounce final judgments. There are some things about which we should not judge at all, as altogether transcending our powers and province. About many things we are compelled to form... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:3-5

A threefold judgment of the Christian teacher. The thought of the apostle is evidently occupied with the disposition of the Corinthians to form judgments for and against different Christian teachers, and to make parties by their preference for one over another. There seems to have been a critical habit, which was applied to the work of each minister; and such a habit is always found seriously to injure the work of our ministers, and fatally to influence that openness and receptivity of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:4

I know nothing by myself; rather, nothing against myself. The phrase of the Authorized Version originally meant this, but is now obsolete in this sense. "I am sorry that each fault can be proved by the queen," says Cranmer to Henry VIII . It is like the Latin Nil conscire sibi. The same phrase occurs in the LXX . of Job 27:6 . St. Paul says, "The verdict of my own conscience acquits me of all intentional unfaithfulness;" but this is insufficient, because God sees with clearer eyes... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:3

But with me - In my estimate; in regard to myself. That is, I esteem it a matter of no concern. Since I am responsible as a steward to my master only, it is a matter of small concern what men think of me, provided I have his approbation. Paul was not insensible to the good opinion of people. He did not despise their favor or court limit contempt. But this was not the principal thing which he regarded; and we have here a noble elevation of purpose and of aim, which shows how direct was his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:4

For I know nothing by myself - There is evidently here an ellipsis to be supplied, and it is well supplied by Grotius, Rosenmuller, Calvin, etc. “I am not conscious of evil, or unfaithfulness to myself; that is, in my ministerial life.” It is well remarked by Calvin, that Paul does not here refer to the whole of his life, but only to his apostleship. And the sense is, “I am conscious of integrity in this office. My own mind does not condemn me of ambition or unfaithfulness. Others may accuse... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 4:2-5

1 Corinthians 4:2-5. Moreover As for what remains to be done in the discharge of this office; it is required of stewards Since they also, as well as lower servants in the family, are subject to account; that a man be found faithful That he act according to his commission, and neither withhold any privilege, or any part of God’s will from the people; nor deliver his own notions as the will of God, nor take more authority upon him than God has given him; as also that he discover and... read more

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