1 Coríntios 4

1 Coríntios 4

Vincent says that in the Greek culture the steward was the one who "assigns to the members of the household their several duties, and pays to each his wages. The paymaster. He kept the household stores under lock and seal, giving out what was required; and for this purpose received a signet-ring from his master." Vine adds that oikonomos is "used metaphorically, in the wider sense, of a "steward" in general, (a) of preachers of the Gospel and teachers of the Word of God, 1 Cor. 4:1; (b) of elders or bishops in churches, Titus 1:7; (c) of believers generally, 1 Pet. 4:10." Used 10x in 10v - Lk. 12:42; Lk. 16:1; Lk. 16:3; Lk. 16:8; Rom. 16:23; 1 Co. 4:1; 1 Co. 4:2; Gal. 4:2; Tit. 1:7; 1 Pet. 4:10 Titus 1:2 - the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward (oikonomos), not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, Of the mysteries of God - Ministers as stewards did not manage a house, but in this case managed and were responsible for the mysteries of God. Mystery speaks of a divine truth, previously hidden and knowable only by divine revelation. In the only other use of mystery in First Corinthians (see "Related Passages" above), mystery referred to God's wisdom and ultimately the wisdom of the Cross of Christ. The steward was to dispense these mysteries with faithfulness. As an aside these mysteries revealed by the Spirit of Christ to believers are still a "mystery" to the natural (unsaved) man who in their blindness even considers them foolishness (1 Cor 2:14+)! Mysteries (3466)(musterion from mustes = one initiated [as into the Greco-Roman "mystery" religions] from mueo = to close or shut) in the NT is a truth never previously known, a truth which human intellect could never discover, but one which has now been made known by divine revelation. The term signifies not only a previously hidden truth, presently divulged, but one that contains a supernatural element that still remains in spite of the revelation. In Paul's day musterion was a technical term utilized by the "mystery religions" which referred to a secrets concealed by strange customs and ceremonies and confided only to those initiated into the "mystery cult". Musterion embraced ideas such as "a secret rite," "secret teaching," and "a divine mystery which is beyond human comprehension." The "mystery-religions" had their secrets and signs just as seen in modern secret societies. Those initiated into these pagan cults, knew these secret signs. Uses of musterion in letters to Corinth - 1 Co. 2:7; 1 Co. 4:1; 1 Co. 13:2; 1 Co. 14:2; 1 Co. 15:51. The mysteries revealed by God include the following. The mysteries are.... of the kingdom of heaven - Mt 13:3-50, esp Mt 13:11 of Israel's blindness during this age Ro 11:25 of translation of living saints at end of age 1Co 15:51,52; 1Th 4:13-17 the Church = body of Jews & Gentiles Ep 3:1-12; Ep 6:19; Col 4:3 the Church as bride of Christ - Ep 5:23-32 Christ living in believers - Gal 2:20; Col 1:26,27) The mystery of God ~ Christ, the incarnate fullness of Godhead embodied, in Whom all divine wisdom for man subsists - 1Co 2:7; Col 2:2-3 ,9 the processes by which godlikeness is restored to man 1Ti 3:16 lawlessness = already at work - 2Th2:7; cp Mt1 3:33) the seven stars = angels (aggelos) - Rev 1:20 the mystery of Babylon - Rev 17:5,7 Life Application Study Bible. - A servant does what his master tells him to do. We must do what God tells us to do in the Bible and through his Holy Spirit. Each day God presents us with needs and opportunities that challenge us to do what we know is right. Believer's Study Bible - Ministers of Christ are "stewards" of the mysteries of God. The word "steward" (oikonomos, Gk.) literally means "one who is the law of the house" or "custodian." "Mysteries" refer to those truths of God which cannot be discovered by man but must be revealed by God (cf. Eph. 3:3). Therefore, a minister's responsibility is to serve as the custodian of God's revealed truths. ILLUSTRATION - We've all seen “chain letters” but I've never seen one worth passing on until this one.. It is entitled, The Perfect Pastor. Let me share part of it with you. The perfect pastor preaches exactly 10 minutes. He condemns sin roundly but never hurts anyone's feelings. He works from 8:00 a.m. Until midnight and is also the church janitor. The perfect pastor makes $40 a week, wears good clothes, drives a good car, buys good books, donates $30 a week to the church. He is 29 years old and had 40 years experience. Above all, he is handsome. The perfect pastor has a burning desire to work with teenagers, and he spends most of his time with senior citizens. He smiles all the time with a straight face because he has a sense of humor that keeps him seriously dedicated to his church. He makes 15 home visits a day and is always in his office to be handy when needed. The perfect pastor always has time for the church council and all of its committees. He never misses the meeting of any church organization and is always busy evangelizing the unchurched. The postscript states: “The perfect pastor is always in a church other than your own. If your pastor does not measure up, simply send this notice to six other churches that are tired of their pastor. Then bundle up your pastor and send him to the church at the top of the list. If everyone cooperates, in one week you will receive 1,643 pastors. One of them should be perfect. Have faith in this letter. One church broke the chain and got its old pastor back in less than three months.” Have you noticed that in churches folks either CRITICIZE their pastor or IDOLIZE their pastor. Some are critical of every word, every action, every decision. There's no way he could do anything right. Others idolize their pastor. They put him on a pedestal and give him almost papal respect. As popular as that practice may be, it is exceedingly offensive to God. (From Pastor Lowell Johnson) Keep On Rowing Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. —1 Corinthians 4:1 Today's Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:18-4:1 I once saw a cartoon depicting a group of shackled prisoners standing on a dock, waiting for a Roman galley that was pulling into port. “That’s a great ship,” one mused. “I wonder what makes it go?” The sketch reminded me of the words of the apostle Paul: “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ” (1 Corinthians 4:1). Paul used an unusual Greek word for servants. Literally, it means “under-rowers,” and in that day it referred to the slaves that pulled the oars in Roman warships. What a striking word picture! The great apostle, who could have asserted his authority, considered himself a mere galley slave in the hold of the ship with the rest of God’s people, pulling on an oar with everyone else. This is different from our usual concept of leadership. We tend to think of a regally dressed captain standing on the deck of a great sailing vessel, “calling the shots” and controlling the ship. The Master needs what you have to offer, No matter if you think it's small; His work on earth is done through His children, So give Him your best, give your all. —Hess Leaders don't attain greatness by giving orders, but by serving others. 1 Corinthians 4:2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. Amplified - Moreover, it is [essentially] required of stewards that a man should be found faithful [proving himself worthy of trust].