41 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
41 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.
41 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
41 Don't imagine us leaders to be something we aren't. We are servants of Christ, not his masters. We are guides into God's most sublime secrets, not security guards posted to protect them.
41 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
41 So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God's mysteries.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 4:1
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 4:1-6
(Read 1 Corinthians 4:1-6)
Apostles were no more than servants of Christ, but they were not to be undervalued. They had a great trust, and for that reason, had an honourable office. Paul had a just concern for his own reputation, but he knew that he who chiefly aimed to please men, would not prove himself a faithful servant of Christ. It is a comfort that men are not to be our final judges. And it is not judging well of ourselves, or justifying ourselves, that will prove us safe and happy. Our own judgment is not to be depended upon as to our faithfulness, any more than our own works for our justification. There is a day coming, that will bring men's secret sins into open day, and discover the secrets of their hearts. Then every slandered believer will be justified, and every faithful servant approved and rewarded. The word of God is the best rule by which to judge as to men. Pride commonly is at the bottom of quarrels. Self-conceit contributes to produce undue esteem of our teachers, as well as of ourselves. We shall not be puffed up for one against another, if we remember that all are instruments, employed by God, and endowed by him with various talents.