DISCLAIMER: You should understand, I am a fallible man doing a bible study (hopefully lead by the spirit of God) here that is conducted for your benefit, do beware of this, and understand that everything that may be said may not line up with your thinking, and you may disagree with me. The study of the word (not demands and commands placed on people) is beneficial to the soul, thus is why this is now here for you. Everyone in their life is accountable and responsible for how they live their life with God in their lives by faith in the Gospel. Everyone is living their life subjectively in faith, and that should be understood from my perspective.
Paul writing to the Corinthians in the spring of 56 AD according to most scholars.
Ministers and Stewards -
1Co 4:1 Let a man so reckon us as officers of Christ, and stewards of the secrets of God,
Paul is writing to the Corinthians and as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God. Saying Let a man so reckon us as officers (servants) of Christ, and stewards (the manager of the household - pertaining to the Apostles authority and directive over the Churches until Jesus had came back to gather the bride), - John the beloved had died and there is no more Apostolic - Authority but we read the text to get an idea of what is going on and hopefully it is increases our faith and walk with God. Stewards of the secrets (mystery) of God.
Let us go ahead and address - Let a man so reckon us as officers (servants) of Christ.
In the previous Chapter, as Paul was addressing the people whom were weak in the faith, said this
1Co 3:4 For when one may say, “I, indeed, am of Paul”; and another, “I—of Apollos”; are you not fleshly?
1Co 3:5 Who, then, is Paul, and who Apollos, but servants through whom you believed, and to each as the LORD gave?
1Co 3:6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was giving growth;
Paul was addressing the weakness of the believers for their fighting amongst each other, even as already believers in the Lord about if one is above another by whom they 'associated' themselves with. In verse 5: Paul addresses, that who then is himself, and apollos but servants through whom you believed - having been stewards of Christ (notice that) - of Christ. And to each as the LORD gave? - In which They were indeed managers of the household of faith being over that bride in that day in age.
You see in verse 6: Paul mentioned that he had planted the seed - sharing the Good news - and Apollos effectively watered in enhancing the growth of the seed, however
But God was giving the Growth.
If you ever heard a preacher out there on the radio, or whatever in this day in age, they may have planted a seed, and maybe you heard someone else who added some water, but depending on what you have been latched onto in which increases Faith - God is the one who gives that growth to the individual who is applying themselves to learn more about the truths of God. Did you know that?
Let us look at several more passages and consider them too.
Paul will end up later writing this to them in his first epistle.
1Co 9:17 for if I do this willingly, I have a reward; and if unwillingly—I have been entrusted with a stewardship!
1Co 9:18 What, then, is my reward? That proclaiming good news, without charge I will make the good news of the Christ, not to abuse my authority in the good news;
1Co 9:19 for being free from all men, I made myself servant to all men, that the more I might gain;
Paul mentioned to the same people whom he had addressed whom were weak in faith, by saying, that if he shares the Gospel willingly, he has a reward. That is something interesting to note, as rewards are given to those who desires to share the good news willingly, but if unwillingly -- I have been entrusted with stewardship (managing the household of God as an Apostle with Apostolic authority to watch over the bride of Christ in that day in age), If Paul does it unwillingly what is his reward?
In verse 18, and 19: That proclaiming the good news, without charge I will make the good news of Christ, not to abuse my authority in the good news!
Did you catch that? Paul himself - said not to abuse his authority. He did have authority in that day in age as an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, however some things that he may have stated in that day in age was from himself and not from God so be discerning about that, going on in Verse 19: You see that for being free from all men.
Paul stated that he has been freed from all men - that is interesting - he goes on to stated that He made himself a servant to all men, that the more he may gain to the good news.
Radical points Paul is making here, as a Minister and Steward of God.
Paul writing to the Corinthians in the spring of 56 AD according to most scholars.
Ministers and Stewards -
1Co 4:1 Let a man so reckon us as officers of Christ, and stewards of the secrets of God,
Paul is writing to the Corinthians and as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God. Saying Let a man so reckon us as officers (servants) of Christ, and stewards (the manager of the household - pertaining to the Apostles authority and directive over the Churches until Jesus had came back to gather the bride), - John the beloved had died and there is no more Apostolic - Authority but we read the text to get an idea of what is going on and hopefully it is increases our faith and walk with God. Stewards of the secrets (mystery) of God.
Let us go ahead and address - Let a man so reckon us as officers (servants) of Christ.
In the previous Chapter, as Paul was addressing the people whom were weak in the faith, said this
1Co 3:4 For when one may say, “I, indeed, am of Paul”; and another, “I—of Apollos”; are you not fleshly?
1Co 3:5 Who, then, is Paul, and who Apollos, but servants through whom you believed, and to each as the LORD gave?
1Co 3:6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was giving growth;
Paul was addressing the weakness of the believers for their fighting amongst each other, even as already believers in the Lord about if one is above another by whom they 'associated' themselves with. In verse 5: Paul addresses, that who then is himself, and apollos but servants through whom you believed - having been stewards of Christ (notice that) - of Christ. And to each as the LORD gave? - In which They were indeed managers of the household of faith being over that bride in that day in age.
You see in verse 6: Paul mentioned that he had planted the seed - sharing the Good news - and Apollos effectively watered in enhancing the growth of the seed, however
But God was giving the Growth.
If you ever heard a preacher out there on the radio, or whatever in this day in age, they may have planted a seed, and maybe you heard someone else who added some water, but depending on what you have been latched onto in which increases Faith - God is the one who gives that growth to the individual who is applying themselves to learn more about the truths of God. Did you know that?
Let us look at several more passages and consider them too.
Paul will end up later writing this to them in his first epistle.
1Co 9:17 for if I do this willingly, I have a reward; and if unwillingly—I have been entrusted with a stewardship!
1Co 9:18 What, then, is my reward? That proclaiming good news, without charge I will make the good news of the Christ, not to abuse my authority in the good news;
1Co 9:19 for being free from all men, I made myself servant to all men, that the more I might gain;
Paul mentioned to the same people whom he had addressed whom were weak in faith, by saying, that if he shares the Gospel willingly, he has a reward. That is something interesting to note, as rewards are given to those who desires to share the good news willingly, but if unwillingly -- I have been entrusted with stewardship (managing the household of God as an Apostle with Apostolic authority to watch over the bride of Christ in that day in age), If Paul does it unwillingly what is his reward?
In verse 18, and 19: That proclaiming the good news, without charge I will make the good news of Christ, not to abuse my authority in the good news!
Did you catch that? Paul himself - said not to abuse his authority. He did have authority in that day in age as an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, however some things that he may have stated in that day in age was from himself and not from God so be discerning about that, going on in Verse 19: You see that for being free from all men.
Paul stated that he has been freed from all men - that is interesting - he goes on to stated that He made himself a servant to all men, that the more he may gain to the good news.
Radical points Paul is making here, as a Minister and Steward of God.