John Calvin 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)

Let a man so account of us. Since it was a matter of considerable importance to see the Church in this manner torn by corrupt factions, arising from the preferences or dislikes people had for individuals, he enters into a still more lengthy discussion about the ministry of the word.

Here there are three things to be considered in their order. In the first place, Paul describes the office of a pastor of the Church. Secondly, he shows that it is not enough for anyone to produce a title, or even to undertake the duty—a faithful administration of the office being requisite.

Thirdly, since the judgment the Corinthians formed of him was preposterous, he calls both himself and them to the judgment-seat of Christ. Therefore, in the first place, he teaches how every teacher in the Church ought to be regarded. In this area, he modifies his discourse in such a way as neither, on the one hand, to lower the credibility of the ministry, nor, on the other, to assign to humans more than is appropriate.

For both of these things are extremely dangerous, because, when ministers are demeaned, contempt for the word arises, while, on the other hand, if they are praised excessively, they abuse their freedom and become wanton against the Lord (1 Timothy 5:11). Now the balance Paul observes consists in this: he calls them ministers of Christ; by which he implies that they ought to apply themselves not to their own work but to that of the Lord, who has hired them as His servants, and that they are not appointed to rule authoritatively in the Church, but are subject to Christ’s authority—in short, that they are servants, not masters.

Regarding what he adds—stewards of the mysteries of God—he thereby expresses the kind of service. By this he implies that their office extends no further than this: that they are stewards of the mysteries of God. In other words, what the Lord has committed to their charge they deliver to people from hand to hand—as the expression goes—not what they themselves might choose.

For this purpose God has chosen them as ministers of His Son, so that through them He might communicate His heavenly wisdom to people; therefore, they ought not to move a step beyond this. He appears, at the same time, to aim an indirect criticism at the Corinthians, who, neglecting the heavenly mysteries, had begun to pursue strange inventions with excessive eagerness, and therefore they valued their teachers for nothing but secular learning.

It is an honorable distinction that he bestows upon the gospel when he calls its contents the mysteries of God. But since the sacraments are connected with these mysteries as appendages, it follows that those who are charged with administering the word are also the authorized stewards of them.