1 Corinthians 4:1
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Original Language Analysis
λογιζέσθω
Let
G3049
λογιζέσθω
Let
Strong's:
G3049
Word #:
3 of 11
to take an inventory, i.e., estimate (literally or figuratively)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
5 of 11
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ὑπηρέτας
of the ministers
G5257
ὑπηρέτας
of the ministers
Strong's:
G5257
Word #:
6 of 11
an under-oarsman, i.e., (generally) subordinate (assistant, sexton, constable)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 11
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἰκονόμους
stewards
G3623
οἰκονόμους
stewards
Strong's:
G3623
Word #:
9 of 11
a house-distributor (i.e., manager), or overseer, i.e., an employee in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively, a preach
Cross References
1 Peter 4:10As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.1 Timothy 3:9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.Titus 1:7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;2 Corinthians 4:5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.Ephesians 6:19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,Colossians 2:2That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;Romans 16:25Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,Colossians 4:3Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:Ephesians 1:9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:Matthew 24:45Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Historical Context
Written around AD 55 from Ephesus, this letter addresses a fractured church enamored with human wisdom and rhetorical skill (chapters 1-4). Corinth was a cosmopolitan commercial hub where itinerant philosophers gathered followers. The Corinthians imported this competitive dynamic into the church, forming personality cults around Paul, Apollos, and Cephas (1:12). Paul's household-servant imagery would resonate in a Roman context where stewards managed estates but owned nothing themselves.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing ministry as stewardship rather than ownership change your attitude toward spiritual gifts and teaching roles?
- What 'mysteries of God' have you been entrusted to faithfully communicate to others in your sphere of influence?
- In what ways might you be treating Christian teachers as celebrities rather than servants under Christ's authority?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Paul uses huperetes (ὑπηρέτης, "minister/servant") and oikonomos (οἰκονόμος, "steward/manager") to define apostolic ministry. The first term originally meant an under-rower on a galley—one who serves beneath authority. The second refers to a household manager entrusted with his master's resources. Together they emphasize subordination and accountability rather than celebrity status.
The mysteries of God (mysteria tou Theou, μυστήρια τοῦ Θεοῦ) are the once-hidden revelations now disclosed in Christ—God's eternal plan of redemption through a crucified Messiah (2:7). Paul's role is not to invent wisdom but to faithfully dispense divine truth already revealed. This counters the Corinthian tendency to treat teachers as competing philosophers with original systems, when apostles are merely commissioned heralds of one gospel.