Scripture Reading: 1 Cor. 4:1-2, 9, 13b, 17; 2 Cor. 1:18-19
Ⅰ
"A man should account of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God"—1 Cor. 4:1:
A
The Greek word for steward is of the same root as the word for economy in 1 Timothy 1:4 and Ephesians 1:10:
１
It means "a dispensing steward," "a household administrator, who dispenses the household supply to its members."
２
A steward is a dispenser, one who dispenses the divine life supply to God's children—Luke 12:42; 16:1; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 4:10:
a
The apostles were appointed by the Lord to be such stewards.
b
The dispensing service, the stewardship, is the ministry of the apostles.
B
In God's economy revealed in the New Testament, there are mainly two mysteries—Rom. 16:25; Rev. 10:7:
１
The first mystery, revealed in the book of Colossians, is Christ as the mystery of God—Col. 2:2.
２
The second mystery, revealed in the book of Ephesians and explained in it, is the church as the mystery of Christ—Eph. 3:4.
Ⅱ
"Here, furthermore, it is sought in stewards that one be found faithful"—1 Cor. 4:2:
A
In the dispensing ministry it is most important that stewards be found faithful—Luke 12:42; Matt. 24:45; 25:21; Luke 16:10-12; 19:17; 1 Cor. 7:25; Eph. 6:21; Col. 1:7; 4:7, 9; 1 Tim. 1:12; 3:11; 2 Tim. 2:2; 1 Pet. 5:12; Rev. 2:10, 13; 17:14:
１
Faithfulness means fidelity, trustworthiness—Gal. 5:22; Titus 2:10.
２
Faithfulness is shown toward the Lord and is for reigning in the kingdom—Matt. 24:45, 47.
B
The new covenant ministers are one with the faithful God—2 Cor. 1:18-19; 1 Cor. 1:9; 10:13; 1 Thes. 5:24; 2 Thes. 3:3; 2 Tim. 2:13; Heb. 10:23; 1 Pet. 4:19; Heb. 3:6; Rev. 1:5; 3:14; 19:11; Gal. 5:22.
Ⅲ
"For, I think, God has set forth us the apostles last of all as doomed to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men"—1 Cor. 4:9:
A
In Paul's time, when criminals fought with wild beasts in the amphitheater for the entertainment of the populace, they were exhibited last of all:
１
Paul uses this expression metaphorically to convey the thought that God has set forth the apostles, and all the overcoming believers, last of all, as if they were the lowest criminals condemned to death, to be entertainment for the people.
２
The apostles considered themselves criminals doomed to death before the world, not kings destined to reign.
B
The Greek word for spectacle refers to a show, a display, made in a theatrical way for entertainment; this also is a metaphor, referring to fights between criminals and wild beasts in the Roman amphitheater:
１
The apostles became such a spectacle to the world, seen not only by men but also by angels; hence, the apostles were a spectacle to the whole universe.
２
In the New Testament all the overcoming believers, not only the apostles, are likened to such a spectacle, such a gazingstock for the public—Heb. 10:33.
Ⅳ
"We have become as the offscouring of the world, the scum of all things"—1 Cor. 4:13b:
A
Offscouring denotes that which is thrown away in cleansing; hence, refuse, filth.
B
Scum denotes that which is wiped off; hence, rubbish, refuse.
C
Both offscouring and scum are used metaphorically, especially regarding condemned criminals.
D
Here Paul likens himself to the lowest criminals, to offscouring, scum, rubbish, refuse.
Ⅴ
"I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every church"—1 Cor. 4:17:
A
My ways refers to Paul's ways in which he conducted himself as he taught the saints in every church.
B
Everywhere in every church indicates that Paul's teaching was the same universally, not varying from place to place.