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DO NOT JUDGE MINISTER AND HIS MINISTRY
I CORINTHIANS 4:1-5
(December 22, 2019, SUN a.m. – MBC baesa)
• The believers in the Corinthians church loved to judge, criticize, demean, and condemn the Pastor. They used to bash the ministers on that day.
• The church of God must stop to judge but must continue to think properly about every minister and the ministry.
• Our text teaches us clearly that if a minister has been proven faithful and proclaiming Word of God faithfully, it is absolutely wrong to judge that minister and therefore it is a serious violation of the Word and will of God.
• The word “account” in KJV or “regard” in NASB and ESV is the greek “logizesthō” which means to reckon, to consider.
→ Therefore the believers in the church are to make certain assessment or computation, judgment and decisions concerning the minister and his ministry:
I- ASSESSMENT TO A MINISTER UNDER CHRIST’S AUTHORITY – v.1a
1 Corinthians 4:1a “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God."
• The word “ministers” in KJV and “servants” in NASB and ESV (Greek is “upēretas”) literally means an under rower.
→ It is the under rower great responsibility to steer the boat to move in the exact direction specified by the captain.
→ Likewise, the minister’s great responsibility is to follow the commands of the captain Jesus Christ and be sure that the church moves in the proper direction desired by the Lord and not in his own direction.
• Three practical observation how the church moves and the minister:
1. Church will not move in the proper direction without a minister.
2. A minister’s duty to move the church in the direction based on God’s Word and not according in what you think it should be moved.
3. Recognize the minister’s position in charge of management in the work of God.
II- ASSESSMENT TO A MINISTER AS STEWARD OF THE WORD OF GOD – v.1b
1 Corinthians 4:1a “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
• The word “steward” in Greek word “oikonomous” means to manage. It refers to the one who has been appointed as an administrator or manager.
→ Paul here specifically wants the church to evaluate a Pastor as being an administrator or manager for God. The Pastor is part of God’s management office.
→ The Pastoral primary area of his managerial office includes his abilities and skills in unlocking the mysteries of God. God given His ministers a special administrative ability to unlock, and clear up God’s Word.
→ EXAMPLE: The Apostle Paul devoted his whole life in teaching God’s Word as he studied the scriptures to rightly divide the Word because he wants to proclaim the whole counsel of God to the brethren – (Acts 20:20-21, 27). Paul faithfully studied the Word until his death (2 Timothy 4:13).
III- ASSESSMENT TO A MINISTER BASED ON HIS FAITHFULNESS – v.2
1 Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
• The verb “required” is in a pretense tense that means a demand.
→ Faithfulness and trustworthiness is a primary qualification of a Pastor always demanded by God. God wants His ministers to maintain being faithful to Him and His Word as the man of God faithfully unlock the mysteries of God.
→ No one except God could determines if a person is faithful to be entrusted with ministry Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:12
IV- ASSESSMENT TO A MINISTER BY HIS OWN AND OTHERS ARE NOT IMPORTANT – v.3-4
1 Corinthians 4:3-4 “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 myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.”
Four Viewpoints of Paul on the judgment to a minister:
1. Believers judgment to the minister is insignificant– v.3a
1 Corinthians 4:3a “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.”
• The word “judged” in KJV and ESV translated “examined” in NASB (Greek word “anakrithō”) indicates that the Corinthians believers were having some investigation, interrogation, scrutinizing Paul’s ministry:
a. The Corinthians judging Paul on the basis of the way he spoke – 1 Corinthians 2:1
b. The Corinthians judging Paul on the basis of numbers – 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
c. The Corinthians judging Paul on the basis of his view of money – 1 Corinthians 9:4-6
d. The Corinthians judging Paul on the basis of his philosophy of ministry – 1 Corinthians 3:10
→ Paul said it is a very small thing or Paul viewed their judgment as very non important.
2. Unbelievers judgment to the minister is insignificant – v.3b
1 Corinthians 4:3b “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.”
• Paul not only was judged by the believers but also by the unsaved people.
3. Minister’s judgment to himself is insignificant – v.3b-4a
1 Corinthians 4:3c-4a “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 myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.” ”
Notice in the first part of verse 4 “I know nothing by myself” KJV; “I am not aware of anything against myself,…” – ESV; “I am conscious of nothing against myself…” – NASB. This statement of Paul shows how Paul lived with a pure conscience as he examined his own. Paul is saying “I knew of nothing against myself.” Paul was not doing or involved himself on doing that was wrong or sinful.
4. God’s judgment to Ministers is significant – v.4b
1 Corinthians 4:4b “For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.”
• Paul feared only the judgment of God not the judgment of the church neither of the world or of himself.
V. ASSESSMENT WITH A PROPER VIEW OF JUDGMENT – v.5
1 Corinthians 4:5 “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.”
Four Biblical Truths on Judging the Ministers:
A. No church is allowed to pass judgment on the Minister – v.5a
1 Corinthians 4:5a “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.”
• If the minister is faithful he should not be judged because it is a clear violation of God’s Word.
B. Hidden things will be revealed when the Lord comes – v.5b
1 Corinthians 4:5b “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.”
• Nothing will be hidden or secret things that will not brought to light. Everything will be exposed.
C. Motives in the heart will be revealed when the Lord comes – v.5c
1 Corinthians 4:5c “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.”
• The word “counsels” in KJV, “purposes” in ESV, and “motives” in NASB (Greek is “boulas”) refers to the purpose or motive behind an action. All the motives behind the work will be revealed when Jesus comes.
D. Everyone will be rewarded when the Lord comes – v.5d
1 Corinthians 4:5d “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.”
• Every Pastors and Missionaries will be severely judged and will be rewarded properly and accordingly.
CONCLUSION: God wanted the church at Corinth to stop judging, criticizing a faithful minister like Paul but instead they must start praying and encouraging Paul. Likewise God wanted every church to do same.
God bless!
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