Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Corinthians 4:1

"Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God." — 1 Corinthians 4:1 (ASV)

Everyone should count Paul and other Christian workers as “servants” (GK 5677) of Christ, fully responsible to him and not to the Corinthians. The phrase “those entrusted with” (GK 3874) means “house stewards” and refers to a position often held by a slave (e.g., Joseph, Genesis 39:2–19) entrusted with managing the affairs of a household. “The secret things [GK 3696] of God” indicates the mysteries of salvation God has revealed in his Word (Romans 16:25; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:3–4; 1 Timothy 3:16)—things one cannot discover by human wisdom (cf. 2:1). These truths of the cross have been entrusted to Christian workers to be carefully used and guarded. As subordinate servants of Christ, they have no right of authority over those truths, but must minister them in Christ’s name to God’s people.