In chapter 3, Paul warned carnal believers against placing undue allegiance and confidence in fallible church leaders. In Christ, His people have everything. Their focus ought to be on growing in their relationship to Him (1Cor 3:21-23; cp. 2Pet 3:18).
Yet, Paul himself was a mere man in church leadership. How then should the Corinthians regard him and his co-laborers?
1. Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
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 {ie., against} myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
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.
...ministers {GK=huperetes, subordinates, officers, servants} of Christ... (cp. 1Cor 3:5)
...stewards {GK=oikonomos, lit., house managers, treasurers} of the mysteries of God.
Paul and the other apostles were sent as messengers of Christ, who entrusted them with the formerly hidden things of God, which He was now making known. eg., 1Cor 2:7; Rom 16:25-27; Eph 3:3-9; Col 1:26,27; 1Tim 3:16
As Christ's subordinates, His servants are responsible to Him. As stewards entrusted with God's great treasure, they will be held accountable by Him. cp. v.2; Luk 12:42-48
But... it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment {lit., man's day}...
The Lord's servant need not concern himself with the critical scrutiny of men, whose 'day' is passing. When the Lord returns, He will evaluate His servants (1Cor 3:13-15; Rom 14:4).
For I know nothing by myself {ie., I am not conscious of any guilt against myself};
yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
Whereas men judge according to external appearances and hearsay, the Lord's judgment is according to His perfect understanding of all things, even matters hidden from myself in my own heart. Elsewhere, Paul presented a self-assessment of his ministry (2Cor 4:1,2). Yet, he recognized that only the Lord truly knew his heart. v.5; cp. Isa 11:1-5; Jer 17:9,10
then shall everyman {lit., each; ie., each person} have praise {commendation} of God.
6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred {ie., applied} 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]?
In the preceding discussion (not only in v.1-5, but also throughout most of 1Corinthians ch.1-3), Paul, Apollos, and Cephas were shown to be humble servants of the Lord, fully accountable to Him. They had not sought a following for themselves. They had not employed worldly methods and wisdom, but proclaimed the wisdom of God, fully dependent upon the power of His Spirit (eg., 1Cor 1:12,13; 3:4-7).
Paul had explained the way of ministry which applied to apostles and a well-known evangelist (Apollos), in order that local church leaders would observe and make application to themselves.
...that ye might learn in us not to think [of men] above that which is written...
Or, more literally: 'not to let your thoughts go beyond what is written' (cp. Mat 23:8-12; Rom 12:3)
...that no one of you be puffed up {ie., inflated with pride} for one against another.
It is foolish for men to pride themselves, as followers of some 'superior' leader... or, as being that superior leader.
For who maketh thee to differ [from another]? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?
Knowing this, John the Baptist had promoted, not himself, but Another (Joh 3:26-30). Church leaders ought to do likewise.
8 Now {GK=ede, even now, already} ye are full {GK=kurennumi, satiated, satisfied}, now {already} ye are rich, {cp. Rev 3:17} ye have reigned as kings without us: {cp. Acts 20:29,30} and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
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.
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.
...I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
When Christ returns, all who are "in Him" will reign with Him. Until then, believers can expect trouble, while living in this world that hates our Lord (Joh 15:18-21; 2Tim 2:11,12; Rev 3:21; 5:10). Yet, some leaders in the Corinthian church, had already established themselves in positions of authority, and had made themselves quite comfortable. (See the references with the Bible text, at v.8 above.)
For I think that God hath set forth {ie., placed on exhibit} us the apostles last...
The word 'last' is an adjective describing 'the apostles.' It seemed to Paul that the apostles were 'at the end of the line,' or 'lowest' among believers. (Another sense is possible: that they were the 'final' apostles).
...as it were appointed to death {ie., under sentence of death}... cp. 2Cor 1:8-10; 4:8-12
"In the ancient amphitheatre the greatest criminals appointed to death were brought forth last as a spectacle to gratify the brutal passions of the multitudes on seeing them torn to pieces by wild beasts." [GWms]
...for we are made a spectacle {GK=theatron, public show (rendered 'gazingstock' in Heb 10:33)}...
To angels and believing men, the apostles' trials were instructive, but to the ungodly world they were entertaining.
Here (v.10), the word 'wise' is GK=phronimos, thoughtful, prudent. These leaders did not think they were following the world's wisdom {GK=sophos}. Yet, in the eyes of the unsaved world, they were respectable religious ministers, not 'fools for Christ's sake.'
we [are] weak {ie., feeble, sickly; eg., 1Cor 2:3}, but ye [are] strong {ie., mighty; cp. 1Cor 10:12}...
ye [are] honourable {GK=endoxos, glorious}, but we [are] despised {GK=atimos, dishonored; cp. Luk 10:16}.
While the Corinthian church leaders had found their place in society, the apostles continued their difficult labors, as outcasts in the world.
11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted {ie., battered, punished}, and have no certain dwellingplace {ie., are homeless};
12 And labour, working with our own hands: {eg., Acts 18:1-3; 20:34} being reviled, we bless; {eg., Mat 5:44; Acts 7:59,60} being persecuted, we suffer it {ie., endure under it}:
13 Being defamed {slandered}, we intreat {offer friendly counsel and comfort}: we are made as the filth of the world, [and are] the offscouring of all things unto this day. {eg., Acts 22:22}
14. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons {GK=teknon, born-ones} I warn {ie., admonish} [you].
15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ,{'instructors' is GK=paidagogos, child-guardians, tutors}
yet [have ye] not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
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
{GK=teknon}, 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.
Wherefore I beseech {implore} you, be ye followers {GK=mimetes, imitators, emulators} of me.
Paul wrote out of deep love for his spiritual children. He had brought the Gospel message to them. The Holy Spirit had convicted them of its truth. When they had believed, the Spirit brought them into the family of God through the new birth (Joh 1:12,13; 1Cor 15:11; 1Pet 1:23). Because of Paul, the Corinthian believers rested upon the one Foundation. But now, others were building thereon (1Cor 3:10,11).
Unlike some leaders, Paul was not seeking a 'following' for himself. Rather, he desired that his spiritual children should follow his example, of humble service to Christ, faithfulness to God's Word, and dependence upon the Spirit's power (eg., 1Cor 11:1; Php 3:17). If God's children would follow this path, there would be no divisions between them (cp. 1Cor 1:10).
For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus,
who is my beloved son {GK=teknon (cp. 1Tim 1:2)}, and faithful in the Lord {cp. v.2}...
Like the Corinthian believers, Timothy had come to new-birth in Christ, through Paul's ministry. However, through years of itinerant ministry with Paul, Timothy had become spiritually mature (cf. 1Cor 3:1,2), and was of one heart and mind with the apostle (eg., Php 2:19-22; 2Tim 3:10,11)
...who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church {ie., in each assembly of called out ones}.
(cp. Acts 15:41 where 'confirming' means 'strengthening' or 're-establishing'; 1Cor 14:33)
18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
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.
20 For the kingdom of God [is] not in word, but in power.
21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod {ie., of correction, cp. Prov 22:15; 2Cor 13:2} or in love, and [in] the spirit of meekness?
Although Paul's ministry involved bodily weakness and discomfort, he was an apostle, whose oversight of Christ's church extended to Corinth (1Cor 1:1,2). Some of the local church leaders discounted his authority, because they thought too highly of themselves (eg., 2Cor 10:10).
Yet, Paul, knowing several matters were out of order in the Corinthian church, intended to fulfill his apostolic responsibility. In this letter, he was addressing what he could from a distance. He would deal with other matters, as soon as he had opportunity to visit again. The character of that visit would depend on how they responded to his instructions. One way or the other, they would discover that his words were backed by the power of the One who sent Him (2Cor 10:3-5).