October 31, 2004

STEWARDS OF THE MYSTERIES

1 Corinthians 4:1-21

   Paul had laid the foundation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, and declared himself a "steward" of God's sacred secrets. In the Gospels we read of the mysteries of the kingdom and in Revelation of the mysteries of the seven stars, of God, and of Babylon The Great (1:20, 10:7 & 17:5). But none of these secrets have to do with the mysteries revealed to Paul. Twenty of the twenty seven appearances of this word in the NT are all by Paul. Only Paul declared that "a dispensation (stewardship) of the gospel" had been committed unto him (1 Cor. 9:17). And the only quality required of stewards was faithfulness to the one who called them!

   Thus for Paul it was a "very small thing" if he were judged of the Corinthians. Imagine, them judging Paul as to his service for the Lord. Neither "man's judgment" nor Paul's opinion of himself really mattered. Only the Lord at His proper time could "bring forth the hidden things of darkness and make manifest the counsels of the hearts" and judge and render to each servant the proper praise.

   Paul applied these principles not only to his service but so they would not think of themselves in any special way of personal pride. After all, "Who made them to differ?" And "What did they have that they had not received?" In their prideful self-importance (possibly be-cause of the many spiritual gifts God had bestowed), Paul said they "reigned as kings..." Yet how could they when Paul was not reigning with them? In fact, he said that God had apparently "set the apostles last...appointed to death...[made them] a spectacle to the world, angels, and men" (4:8-9). The apostles were "fools...weak... (and) despised," while they were "wise... strong... (and) honorable." Even then Paul was hungry, thirsty, naked, buffeted, and homeless, a far cry from their reigning in royal splendor! Instead of them supporting his ministry, he worked "with his own hands" and was reviled, persecuted, defamed and esteemed "the filth of the world, and the off-scouring of all things..." (4:10-15). Yet with all that, he wrote to his beloved children in the faith, "I beg you, be ye followers of me" (4:16). They were to imitate him, and Timothy would come and help!

Ivan L. Burgener