1Corinthians 4 and verse 1 reads.
1Cor.4:1] Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Brings up mysteries again, for the Elect to know. We studied this in chapter 2. To so an account is to bring to judgement. Be very careful not to take this to mean to Judge.
1Cor.4:2] Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
[3] But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
[4] For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
This is what I meant by “be careful”. God alone knows the heart of every man. God alone will judge. Whether it be to heaven or hell.
1Cor.4:5] Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Jesus is the Light, and the Darkness comprehended it not.
1Cor.4:6] And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
[7] For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
Who is better than God? No one. How are you better than anyone else? God knows. This is why we are not to judge one another. Worry about yourself, and let the other worry about himself.
1Cor.4:8] Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
Full of what? If you are in the Lord’s word and not your own thoughts of self-righteousness.
1Cor.4:9] For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
Apostles are “sent ones”, the Elect. Let’s go to Mark 13:12 and read how it will be for the Elect in these end times.
Mark 13:12] Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
Remember Hebrews 2:14 death is the Devil. We will be delivered up to Satan and there we will fulfill our destiny. Back to 1Cor.4 and verse 10 reads.
1Cor.4:10] We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
Considered these by the world, who cares, we serve the LORD and not man.
1Cor.4:11] Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
Life on the road serving the Lord is a thankless job but the rewards cannot be paid by man, nor would they accept it by man.
1Cor.4:12] And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
No pain no gain, these truly are men of God, and a great example for us today.
1Cor.4:13] Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Treated as garbage we are slandered.
1Cor.4:14] I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
[15] For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
Not trying to scare us, and we shouldn’t be, just trying to warn you and me that we need to put on our gospel armor. For the wicked will persecute the righteous.
1Cor.4:16] Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
[17] For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
Teach boldly always in every church.
1Cor.4:18] Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
Don’t become self righteous.
1Cor.4:19] But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
But by the Lord’s will only, though he had hope he would be with them soon.
1Cor.4:20] For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
Kingdom, that’s the King and his dominion. This is not by man’s word but by the LORD’s power.
1Cor.4:21] What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
I can come with discipline or we can have great bible studies. Paul loves these people very much, I’m sure he straightened them out with love. Very important chapter tomorrow, don’t miss it. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible