1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 4:1

Let none depreciate us ministers, or exalt one to the dis- 2 honour of another, but account of us all as persons called and qualified by Christ for dispensing to Jews and Gentiles the great and unsearchable doctrines and ordinances of the grace of God

1 Corinthians 4:2

And as stewards of Christ we must take heed that we by no means neglect, pervert, betray, or deal partially in our trust; but study to be faithful to God, to our own conscience, to the truth of Christ, and to the souls to whom we minister, giving them their proper food in due season

1 Corinthians 4:3

And if any pretend that I am unfaithful, or take offence at my fidelity, I little regard the censures of men, as I am not to stand or fall in the last judgment according to their fallible, partial, and prejudiced sentiments concerning me; nor dare I pretend that my own judgment of my sincerity, faithfulness, and diligence, is absolutely right

1 Corinthians 4:4

For though I am not sensible of any allowed unfaithfulness, but have the testimony of my conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity I have had my conversation in this world; yet such is the inadvertency and treachery of my heart, that I dare not look on this as a justification of my conduct before God, but expect the acceptance of my person and services only through Jesus Christ and his righteousness

1 Corinthians 4:5

Beware therefore of judging our hearts, or of passing uncharitable censures upon us; but wait till Christ at his second coming manifest all the secret transactions, thoughts, and desires of men; and then shall every man who has acted uprightly be publicly acknowledged and rewarded by God according to his real character

1 Corinthians 4:6

I have mentioned myself and Apollos in this point, who are distinguished in office and success among you, that you may learn to adjust your sentiments about men, and never pride yourselves in or boast of one preacher in opposition to another

1 Corinthians 4:7

And to humble you, and prevent your idolizing of ministers, think what gifts or graces you or any of them have which ye did not receive freely from God. Why then do ye boast of any of them, as if they were originally your own?

1 Corinthians 4:8

For indeed ye seem to pride yourselves on your gifts, graces, and other acquirements, as if, independent of us who first preached the gospel to you, ye had arrived at the highest prosperity; and I heartily wish that ye did remarkably flourish in every thing excellent, great, and glorious, that we, as God’s instruments in your conversion and edification, might rejoice in your mercy, and share your happiness and Christian esteem. 9, 10. For I really think God hath set forth us apostles, his last and extraordinary messengers in the church, to be a public show before angels and men, devoted to deadly combats, to contempt, trouble, and violence: we are treated as weak, foolish, and despicable, and are loaded with labours, cares, and sufferings, for Christ, while ye appear, to yourselves and others, wise, powerful, honoured, easy, and opulent

1 Corinthians 4:11-13

While ye live in your rich city and commodious dwellings amidst ease and affluence, we faithful preachers, ever since the Lord called us to his work, have often been destitute of the common necessaries of life, and cruelly abused and driven from place to place like vagabonds. Meanwhile, to avoid prejudicing men against us as mercenary, we have earned our daily subsistence by the labour of our own hands; we have earnestly prayed down blessings on them who reproached and cursed us; we have patiently borne all the injuries and abuses we met with; we have humbly exhorted and supplicated them who maliciously slandered us: and notwithstanding all this inoffensive, meek, and winning behaviour, we continue to be treated as the most miscreants, who have been the cause of every public calamity, and are fit for nothing but to be killed as sacrifices for the purgation of cities

1 Corinthians 4:14

I have not drawn out this detail of our injurious treatment, and of our meek, patient, and benevolent behaviour under it, in order to expose you to shame among your fellow Christians, but in order affectionately to warn you against pride, or an unbecoming behaviour to faithful ministers. 15, 16. For, though many preachers have laboured to promote your instruction and edification, I alone have been remarkably honoured as the instrument of your spiritual regeneration and adoption. I therefore beseech you, in the most endearing and condescending manner, that, instead of turning aside after those who desire to corrupt the simplicity of your faith and manners, ye would follow the directions which I, your spiritual father, give you from Christ, and imitate me in faith, holiness, humility, and love

1 Corinthians 4:17

And for this cause I have sent to you Timothy my dear partner in preaching the gospel, who being converted to Christ by my ministry, and my ordinary attendant, can acquaint you with my uniformity in doctrines and in holy practices, answerable to what I every where teach

1 Corinthians 4:18

Some of my opponents boast that I dare not make any personal appearance among you, where I have so many opposers, but must rest content with sending my friend

1 Corinthians 4:19

But, if God give me strength and opportunity, I sincerely intend to visit you, and to try those proud pretenders to learning and eloquence as to what authority they have received from Christ to preach his gospel, what of God’s gifts and graces appear in their ministrations, and what efficacy their doctrine hath upon their own and others hearts and lives

1 Corinthians 4:20

For the excellency of the gospel dispensation does not consist in human learning or outward profession, but in an experience of what is wrought by the Spirit of God. Nor is the gospel propagated, or the work of grace begun and carried on in men’s souls, but by the miraculous operations and divine energy of the Holy Spirit, which attend the plain preaching of a crucified Christ

1 Corinthians 4:21

Think then whether ye would have me come in order to inflict spiritual censures, or even corporal punishments, upon obstinate transgressors; or, as I earnestly wish, in tender affection, meekness, and gentleness, to encourage, commend, and comfort you

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. IV.—Important is that trust of divine truths and human souls which Christ has committed to his ministers. And with great care and faithfulness ought they to declare and explain his mysteries and dispense his ordinances. It is groundless to be either puffed up or cast down by men’s judgment of us. The great point is to approve ourselves to God, by whose judgment we must abide, and who will at last clear us from all false accusations. And never must those who are most conscious of their integrity depend on that, but on Jesus’ fulfilment of the law, as the ground of their acceptance to eternal life. With great care ought we to avoid rash censuring of others, in the view of that last judgment, in which the secrets of men’s hearts and lives shall be discovered. And there is need of deep humility, when our defects are so great and many, and all our gifts and graces are the free gifts of God. Alas, that many should be puffed up with spiritual gifts, or even with riches or honour in this life; and the faithful servants of Christ be chiefly exposed to poverty, disgrace, and violent persecution. But it is delightful when Christians and ministers shine in meekness, patience, and returning of good for evil. Great wisdom is necessary in faithful reproofs, that they may neither provoke nor expose. And Christians need to be frequently reminded of admonitions formerly given them. With great care should they copy after the example of their godly ministers. And if faithful ministers bear strong affection to such as have been converted to Christ by their ministry, those converts ought fervently to love, regard, and reverence them as their spiritual fathers, and study that they may be always, not grieved correctors, but joyful comforters of them. It is not fine words or fair speeches, but the power of the Holy Ghost changing the heart and purifying the practice, that will prove men real ministers or Christians