Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 4:1

What does 1 Corinthians 4:1 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 4:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 4:1 means

Paul instructs the Corinthians to regard him and his coworkers not as party leaders to champion, but as servants who belong to Christ and manage what is Christ’s. A steward does not own the treasures he handles; he must protect and dispense them according to the Master’s will. The “mysteries of God” are God’s revealed truths, once hidden but now made known through the gospel. Ministers, then, are accountable administrators of divine revelation, not celebrities to be compared or rivaled. This verse reframes Christian leadership as humble, Christ-centered service, emphasizing that any authority a minister has is derivative and accountable, rooted in faithfully conveying what God has entrusted.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Let us be judged as servants of Christ, and as those who are responsible for the secret things of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Let a man so reckon us as officers of Christ, and stewards of the secrets of God,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and the dispensers of the mysteries of God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Let a man so account of us as servants of Christ, and stewards of [the] mysteries ofGod.

Context

Having rebuked their boasting in human leaders, Paul now resets expectations for how to view ministers. Verse 1 opens a section redefining apostleship and ministry as stewardship. This prepares for verse 2’s single criterion for such stewards—faithfulness—and for verses 3–5, where Paul explains why human evaluations are limited and premature. The frame matters: it shifts their gaze from personalities and performance to Christ’s ownership and purpose. Seeing ministers as stewards lays the groundwork for rejecting factionalism and for receiving correction about judgment and pride that follows.

v.1This passage

v.2Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:5

    For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

  • Luke 8:10

    And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to the rest in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:23

    Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft.

  • Titus 1:7

    For the bishop must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;

  • 1 Corinthians 9:16

    For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.

  • 1 Timothy 3:16

    And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore 1 Corinthians 4

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 1 Corinthians 4.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to 1 Corinthians 4:1.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary