1 Corinthians 4:4

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 4:4

As far as Paul knew, he was serving God faithfully. However, he realized that his conscience might not be as sensitive as it should be. [Note: See Roy B. Zuck, "The Doctrine of Conscience," Bibliotheca Sacra 126:504 (October-December 1969):329-40.] Only his Master had the insight as well as the authority to judge him. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Christian Teachers only the Instruments of GodThe folly and sin of quarrelling about different teachers who are but servants of Christ and responsible to Him.1-5. Paraphrase. ’You have been engaged in strife about the merits and position of your teachers. Consider for a moment what they are. They have no authority of their own; they only bear Christ’s messages. (2-4) Servants are responsible to their master; and so I am responsible not to you or to any man, but to Christ. (5) Have patience... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

IV.(1-5) The first five verses of this chapter contain a further argument against party-spirit as it existed in the Corinthian Church—viz., that God alone can judge of any man’s work whether it be worthy, and that God, unlike man, who selects only some one for praise, will give to every worker his own proper share of approval. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Corinthians 4:4

(4) For I know nothing by myself.—The general meaning of this passage is given in the previous Note. The Greek of the words rendered, “I know nothing of myself,” is clearly “I am not conscious in myself” of having been unfaithful; the word being almost invariably used in classical Greek in a bad sense. In the English version the word “by” is used in a sense now nearly obsolete. To an English reader the passage at first sight seems to assert that St. Paul of his own power possessed no knowledge.... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Secrets Made Known 1 Corinthians 4:1 The point for us is, 'What does the word "mystery" mean in the New Testament?' Mystery in the New Testament means one thing only, and that is something which has been kept secret for centuries, but has at last been revealed. And I am going to speak to you about five secrets five mysteries if you like five things which have been kept secret since the foundation of the world, but which have at last been told us. Now what are those five secrets? I. What was... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Chapter 7THE MINISTRYSo keenly alive is Paul to the danger and folly of party spirit in the Church, that he has still one more word of rebuke to utter. He has shown the Corinthians that to give their faith to one teacher, and shut their ears to every other form of truth than that which he delivers, is to impoverish and defraud themselves. All teachers are theirs, and are sent, not to win disciples to themselves, who may spread their fame and reflect credit on their talents, but to serve the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

CHAPTER 4 1. Servants of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God. (1 Corinthians 4:1-5 ). 2. Contrast Between Self-Glorification and Humiliation. (1 Corinthians 4:6-13 ). 3. Admonition to Beloved Children. (1 Corinthians 4:14-21 ). Paul speaks of himself and the fellow workmen as servants of Christ and the stewards of the mysteries of God. They were serving under Christ. Apollos, though not an Apostle, is included by Paul. Apollos with his great eloquence probably appealed strongly to... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:4

4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the {c} Lord.(c) I submit myself to the Lord’s judgment. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

But while we are not to exalt a ministering servant, no more are we to despise him or his work. The apostles should certainly be recognized for what they actually were, "ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God." They both served Christ, and ministered Christ to others; and were entrusted with a stewardship in reference to rightly administering the truth of the mysteries of God which had been revealed to them for the sake of all the saints of God. How blessed an honor, yet... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

THE CAUSE AND CURE OF DISPUTES This epistle was written by Paul probably during the latter part of his long visit to Ephesus, and it will add interest to its study to re-read Acts 18-20, which speak of his visit to both cities, Ephesus and Corinth. The occasion for its writing, as given in 1 Corinthians 1:11 ; 1 Corinthians 7:1 , was a visit to Paul of a member “of the house of Chloe,” who brought a written communication to him as well as verbal reports of conditions in the church. These... read more

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