Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 4:1
So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian congregation while clarifying the proper basis for evaluating apostolic ministry. He establishes this definition immediately before detailing the accountability required of those entrusted with spiritual leadership.
The words — λογιζέσθω (logizesthō) means to regard or count as, and ὑπηρέτας (hupēretas) denotes servants or under-rowers. The text states that believers ought to count leaders as Christ’s servants and God’s stewards, framing the office as one of assigned duty rather than independent status.
The thread — The stewardship theme appears in 1 Peter 4:10, which instructs believers to manage God’s manifold grace. The handling of divine mysteries connects to 1 Timothy 3:9 and Titus 1:7, where overseers are required to hold to the faith with clear consciences and maintain blameless conduct.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to assess spiritual leaders by their faithfulness to God’s entrusted message, not by external measures of success. It demands that believers recognize ministerial authority as a trust to be managed responsibly before God.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 4:10 As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.
- 1 Timothy 3:9 They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
- Titus 1:7 As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.
- Ephesians 6:19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,
- 2 Corinthians 4:5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
- Colossians 1:25 I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God,
- Romans 16:25 Now to Him who is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery concealed for ages past
- 1 Corinthians 9:16 Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
- Colossians 2:2 that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ,
- Luke 12:42 And the Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their portion at the proper time?