Stewards of the Mysteries of God
1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Stewards of the Mysteries of God

Introduction
In 1 Corinthians 4:1–5, Paul gives a sober reminder of how Christians must view themselves. We are not exalted leaders, not lords over others, not celebrities to be praised. Instead, we are servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. A steward is someone entrusted with what belongs to another, responsible to manage it faithfully. Paul emphasizes that stewards must be found faithful, and that faithfulness is judged not by men, not even by ourselves, but by God alone. This passage calls us to humility, accountability, and trust in the final judgment of the Lord.

Servants of Christ
Paul begins by saying, “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ” (1 Corinthians 4:1). The Corinthians had been dividing themselves by elevating men like Paul, Apollos, and Cephas. Paul rejected this thinking. He wanted them to understand that all preachers, teachers, and apostles were simply servants. No one in the kingdom is greater than another, for all Christians are priests before God (1 Peter 2:9). Exalting one above another causes pride, division, and strife. In Christ’s church there are no superiors and inferiors; all serve one Lord.

Stewards of the Mysteries of God
Paul continues, calling himself and others “stewards of the mysteries of God.” A steward is entrusted with something precious that does not belong to him. Jesus used parables to illustrate stewardship, such as the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30) and the parable of the unjust steward (Luke 16). Paul’s stewardship was the gospel itself, the mystery once hidden but now revealed through Christ (Ephesians 3:3–5). All Christians share in this stewardship. Peter affirms this in 1 Peter 4:10: “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Stewardship applies to everything God entrusts to us—our time, our abilities, our resources, our opportunities, our influence, and above all, the truth of the gospel. What God has given must be used for His glory, not wasted or hidden away.

Faithfulness Required
Paul declares, “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). Faithfulness is the single qualification for stewardship. It does not matter how much or how little one is given; what matters is whether it is used faithfully. Jesus emphasized this in Luke 16:10–12: those who are faithful in little will be faithful in much. God requires us to redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16) and to discharge our duties wisely and diligently.

Judged by God Alone
Paul then turns to the issue of judgment. He says, “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” (1 Corinthians 4:3). Paul knew that human judgment was limited, biased, and imperfect. Even self-judgment is flawed, because we can deceive ourselves or be too harsh. What matters is how God judges. Romans 14:4 reminds us: “Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls.”

Paul admitted, “I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:4). A clear conscience is valuable, but it does not prove innocence. Only God, who knows the heart perfectly, can justify. John echoed this in 1 John 3:20–21, teaching that even when our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart and knows all things.

The Lord Will Judge All Things
Paul concludes: “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 Corinthians 4:5). The final judgment belongs to Christ alone (Acts 17:30–31). He will judge in righteousness, knowing not only outward actions but also the hidden motives of the heart. Nothing will be concealed from His perfect judgment (1 Timothy 5:24–25).

This calls us to humility. We must avoid prejudging others, for we cannot see their hearts or know all their circumstances. Yet we must live faithfully, knowing the Lord will reveal all in His time. On that day, the faithful will hear His praise: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

Conclusion
In this passage, Paul corrects pride and division by reminding us that we are servants and stewards. Our task is to faithfully manage what God has entrusted to us, especially the truth of His word. We are accountable to Him, not to men. The final judgment belongs to Christ, who will reveal the truth of every life and reward the faithful.

Stewards of the Mysteries of God Sermon Outline

I. Introduction

• Context: divisions in Corinth over men (Paul, Apollos, Cephas)

• Paul reminds them: all are servants, not masters

• Theme: Christians are servants and stewards, accountable to God

II. Servants of Christ (1 Corinthians 4:1)

• Apostles and preachers are not to be exalted

• All Christians are priests (1 Peter 2:9)

• Danger of pride and division when men are elevated

III. Stewards of the Mysteries of God (1 Corinthians 4:1–2)

• Definition of stewardship: entrusted responsibility

• Parables of stewardship (Luke 16; Matthew 25:14–30)

• The mystery revealed: the gospel (Ephesians 3:3–5)

• All Christians stewards of God’s grace (1 Peter 4:10)

• Areas of stewardship: time, abilities, possessions, influence, truth

IV. Faithfulness Required (1 Corinthians 4:2)

• Faithfulness is the key qualification

• Luke 16:10–12 – Faithful in little, faithful in much

• Ephesians 5:16 – Redeeming the time

• God calls us to diligence and consistency

V. Judged by God Alone (1 Corinthians 4:3–4)

• Human judgment is imperfect; self-judgment is limited

• Romans 14:4 – Each servant accountable to his own master

• A clear conscience does not prove innocence

• 1 John 3:20–21 – God knows all things, greater than our hearts

VI. The Lord’s Final Judgment (1 Corinthians 4:5)

• Judge nothing before the time; Christ will judge perfectly

• Acts 17:30–31 – Christ will judge in righteousness

• 1 Timothy 5:24–25 – Some deeds hidden now, revealed later

• Motives of the heart will be exposed

• Reward of the faithful: praise from God

VII. Conclusion

• Christians must remember we are servants and stewards

• Faithfulness is required, not the praise of men

• God alone will judge, revealing all at His coming

• Let us live so that we may hear His words of approval

Call to Action
Every Christian is a steward of what God has given. Your time, your talents, your possessions, your opportunities, and the truth of the gospel are not yours alone; they belong to God. One day, you will give an account to Him. Be faithful in what He has entrusted to you, so that when the Lord returns, you will receive His praise.

Key Takeaways

• We are servants of Christ, not masters (1 Corinthians 4:1)

• Christians are stewards of the gospel and of God’s gifts (Ephesians 3:3–5; 1 Peter 4:10)

• Faithfulness is the only requirement (1 Corinthians 4:2)

• Human judgment is limited; God alone judges perfectly (Romans 14:4; 1 John 3:20–21)

• Christ will reveal every hidden thing and reward the faithful (1 Corinthians 4:5)

Scripture Reference List

• 1 Corinthians 4:1–5 – Servants and stewards, judged by God

• 1 Peter 2:9 – All Christians are priests

• Luke 16; Matthew 25:14–30 – Parables of stewardship

• Ephesians 3:3–5 – The revealed mystery of Christ

• 1 Peter 4:10 – Stewards of God’s grace

• Ephesians 5:16 – Redeeming the time

• Romans 14:4 – To his own master he stands or falls

• 1 John 3:20–21 – God is greater than our hearts

• Acts 17:30–31 – Christ appointed as judge

• 1 Timothy 5:24–25 – Hidden deeds revealed in judgment

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO