Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 4:2
Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church, correcting their tendency to rank and elevate apostles. He has just defined apostles as servants and stewards (v.1) and is about to dismiss human judgment entirely (v.3).
The words — πιστός (pistos), "faithful," is the single requirement stated; it is not wisdom, power, or fruitfulness but fidelity to the trust. οἰκονόμος (oikonomos), "steward/manager," frames the role as delegated responsibility, not ownership.
The thread — The faithful-steward motif recurs in Matthew 25:21 ("good and faithful servant"), Luke 12:42 ("faithful and wise manager"), and Luke 16:10 (faithfulness with little as the test for much).
Why it lands — The standard is not output, approval, or even self-assessment; it is whether one is found faithful to what was entrusted.
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
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Cross-references
- Matthew 25:21 His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’
- 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?
- Luke 16:10 Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
- Numbers 12:7 But this is not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house.
- Colossians 4:17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
- Proverbs 13:17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.
- Matthew 25:23 His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’
- 2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.
- Colossians 1:7 You learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
- 1 Corinthians 4:17 That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church.