Category: Devotions

William MacDonald observed well, “The Corinthians were not forming parties around Paul and Apollos alone, but also around other men who were then in their church. However, out of a sense of Christian courtesy and delicacy, Paul transferred the entire matter to himself and Apollos so that by their example the saints would learn not to have exaggerated opinions of their leaders or to gratify their pride by the formation of parties. He wanted the saints to evaluate everything and everyone by the Scriptures.”

Paul having stipulated the qualities of God’s servant and his reward by Christ urges the believers in Corinth not to pit God’s servant one against another. Such actions will gender division in the church. He asks these brethren not to make unlawful judgments between Apollos and himself.

The Usher’s Code by Rev. Dr. SH Tow is helpful for memory by remembering the 5 “P”.

Prayerful
Punctual
Properly Dressed
Pleasing
Prepared

he Apostle Paul was a humble servant of God, he was a steward who constantly examines himself before the Lord. Doubtless, he receives many criticism and discouragements for the good work that he has done. He does not stop serving because of these discouragements. He had to defend his apostleship from the attacks hurled upon him.

Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.1 Ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.2 As ye have … received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.3 He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved

This word “faithful” is the word that describes persons trusting, believing, full of faith. In the passive, it describes one who is trustworthy, steadfast, faithful, dependable and reliable. One who can be entrusted with a task. It is the opposite of one who is dishonest. “Such a steward would be worthless if the master of the house had to be constantly looking over his shoulder to see if he was doing things right or to make sure he wasn’t embezzling money… while the context speaks specifically of “full-time ministers”, such as Paul and his co-workers, the clear application is to every Christian” (A Word for the Day, J.D. Watson). “Faithfulness” is the criteria for all who serves their Master Jesus Christ in God’s vineyard.

The Apostle Paul speaks of the Apostles and other teachers entrusted by God with spiritual authority as ministers of the gospel, as stewards or ministers of the gospel (1Corinthians 4:1; Titus 1:7; 1Peter 4:10), given spiritual oversight of the church. This word is used in the same way in two other places in the New Testament. The Apostle Peter uses the word “steward” to describe all Christians given spiritual gifts to use them edify members of the God’s household, the church.

A steward is entrusted great responsibilities in ancient times. The steward is held responsible for his master’s possessions and therefore he has to periodically give an account of his stewardship. He is a holder of a commission in the service of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 4:1; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 4:10) [The New Analytical Greek Lexicon; W. J. Perschbacher] We observe the stewardship of Joseph as a servant of Pharaoh. He served with distinction his master to fulfill God’s purpose.

Indeed, it is a blessing to be a steward of the gospel. May God help His servants to know the Master’s will and do it well. Amen.

The faithful minister of Christ is a diligent servant serving his Master who knows his lowly or humble position and accepts it as his calling in life. We may apply this to all who serves the Lord, not necessary just in the Word although the context refers to preachers of the gospel.

Who is s steward? He is a diligent and Unprivileged Server (v1a), caring for the Master’s possessions (v1b). The Apostle Paul was called by Christ and sent by Christ to preach the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15-16; 22:14-16). He calls himself and his fellow-workers (1) “Ministers of Christ” and (2) “stewards of the mysteries of God”. The steward’s role stipulated for our learning in verse 1 “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” Two-word pictures are given here “ministers” and “stewards” to help us understand the position/disposition of the steward.