The theme is a continuation of  that dealt with last week, namely the Christian ministry. Only now Paul is showing what a preacher is. In last week’s study, Paul was showing what a minister was not in order that the people might not utterly look to them and depend upon them. Now he shows what they are in order to defend them from the rash judgments of the Corinthians. 

I. THE RIGHT ESTIMATE OF THE MINISTER

This is given in verses 1-5. 

1. The nature of the minister’s work. Again, look at the terms used of the preacher. The word minister is a different Greek word from that in 3:5. It means under-rower. He is one who labours under the instructions of another. In 3:5 he is the servant to the church. In 4:1 he is the servant of the Lord. He toils under His direction guiding the household of God, Luke 12:42.

He is also a steward. The word refers to the administrator of a household, usually a slave. He is a governor, Gal 4:2, with a special responsibility for his master’s children. That which the preacher must administer are the mysteries of God, that is the truth of God. He must feed and teach the children of God, Matt 24:45, Gal 4:2.

2. The chief requirement of the minister. Faithful. It is the first thing to be looked for in a minister, verse 2.

3. The minister’s response to the judgment of men. Paul calls it a very small thing = he took little notice of man’s judgment, not even his own. He knows that he is very limited in the knowledge of his heart and that his critics are even more so. He is not adequate to rightly judge himself how then could others judge him. Although his conscience does not reproach him he does not feel irreproachable in the sight of the Lord, verses 4-5.- Final assessments of our character and our works will be given when the Lord comes.

II. PRIDE LAY BEHIND THEIR CRITICISM OF THE MINISTRY OF GOD’S SERVANTS

From verse 6 to the end of the chapter Paul deals with pride in the church which manifested itself in the divisions over ministers.

1. Where there are divisions there is pride. There is a puffing up in that it is considered a mark of superiority to appreciate the abilities of the man  who is being exalted. Verse 7 indicates the folly of such pride.

2. Where there is pride there is self-satisfaction. There is irony in the words of verse 8. This is what many felt about themselves. It is a case of Rev 3:17. There was no hungering or grieving in Corinth as the lively soul ought to experience, Matt 5:1-4. They considered themselves to be kings and in victory. They had reached perfection.

3. Where there is pride there is a despising of those who are good. While certain of the church donned royal airs, in truth the apostles suffered great reproach, 9-13. Surely it must have spoken to the proud Corinthians that while they viewed themselves to have attained such heights, Christ’s chief servants were treated so cruelly by the world. If we are well received and the likes of Paul is not then let us look to our hearts and life for something is wrong if we are not as the apostles, II Tim 3:10-12. 

It is to be noted how we ought to respond to evil treatment, verses 12-13. 

The response of the world = counted as the sweepings and scrapings of dirt, 13.

III. STRONG AND STERN WORDS MAY BE UTTERED BY A MINISTER OUT OF A FATHERLY  CONCERN

Verses 14-21. It was not a desire to harm or hurt them that made him speak so. No, it was fatherly love. 

1. The attitude here deserved stern treatment. They despised Paul, verse 18. It is the height of wickedness to despise a parent, Deut 27:16.

2. Under Christ, he, as their spiritual father, had a right to so deal with them. Verses 15-17. Let the minister so walk as to be an example for the flock to follow, I Tim 1:4.

3. When stern words do not subdue then stronger actions must follow. There is a power operating in the church that is not of man. Paul will match the power of the opposers, verse 19, against the power of the kingdom of God, verse 20.

4. Our response to God’s word decides whether it is peace or war between us and Him. Verse 21. Our disobedience will result in the Lord fighting against us. But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them, Isaiah 63:10.