Catholic Commentary on 1 Corinthians 4

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power." (1 Corinthians 4:20)

Servants and Stewards

Let a person regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. The primary requirement of stewards is that they be found faithful. Paul is not bothered by the Corinthians' judgment of him or by any human court. He does not even judge himself: I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges him. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each person will receive their commendation from God. The Catechism grounds the examination of conscience and the trust in divine judgment in this passage: we are not our own final judges, and the mercy of God at the last judgment will reveal what human assessment always misses (CCC 1039).

The Apostolic Pattern

Paul then draws a sharp contrast between the Corinthians' self-satisfaction and the apostles' experience. The Corinthians think they are already rich, already kings, already reigning, without the apostles. Paul wishes they were reigning, so that the apostles might reign with them. But the apostles are last of all, like men condemned to death, put on display at the end of a triumphal procession. They are fools for Christ while the Corinthians are wise; weak while the Corinthians are strong; dishonoured while the Corinthians are honoured. To this present hour they are hungry, thirsty, poorly dressed, brutally treated, homeless. They have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of all things. This is what apostolic ministry looks like. Not the triumphant conference speaker but the man condemned to the arena.

Yet Paul does not write this to shame them. He writes as their father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. He urges them to imitate him. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. He will come soon to see not their words but whether power is present. The power of the Kingdom is demonstrated in the transformed life, the sacrificial ministry, the endurance that looks foolish by the world's standards.

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, Paul says he has become the scum of the earth. This is the apostolic résumé. Not the speaking engagements and the book deals, but the hunger, the homelessness, the public disgrace. When ministry begins to look comfortable and prestigious, read 1 Corinthians 4 again. The Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power, and the power looks like the Cross.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, make us faithful stewards of the mysteries of God. Deliver us from judging ourselves or others prematurely. And give us the apostolic pattern: willing to be fools for Christ, weak where the world demands strength, last where the world rewards first. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

4
Servants of Christ
1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
 
3 I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.
 
5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
 
6 Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another. 7 For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
 
8 Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings. How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you! 9 For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men.
 
10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. 11 To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
Paul’s Fatherly Warning
 
14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. 15 Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus,* 4:17 BYZ and TR my way of life in Christ, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church.
 
18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit?

*4:17 4:17 BYZ and TR my way of life in Christ,

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