1 Corinthians 4

The apostle Paul found it necessary to address several Corinthian misconceptions regarding the nature of genuine Christian leadership. These believers were adopting too many models from their surrounding world.

Christian Leadership Means Being Entrusted with the “Mysteries” of God

The language is reminiscent of the agricultural analogy. Christian leaders do not try to be independent gurus, all-wise teachers. They see themselves simply as servants, and want other Christians to see them that way, too. The distinction is that they’re servants of one particular Master: they serve Jesus Christ. Paul is not saying that the gospel is “mysterious,” where it could not be understood. He’s highlighting that in some ways it was hidden before the coming of Jesus Christ and has now been revealed. Paul’s preaching was Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Leaders are not in a special, priestly class. Rather, what is required in some sense of all believers is particularly required of the leaders of believers. There is a difference of degree.

Those who want to be leaders in the church today must begin by recognizing that there is no special, elitist qualification. The qualifications for leadership is given elsewhere in the Bible: 1 Timothy 3:1–7. The passage contains nothing about intelligence, decisiveness, drive, wealth, or power. Almost everything on the list is elsewhere in the New Testament required of all believers.

There are only two elements in the list of qualifications for overseers that are not somewhere applied to all Christians: (1) “not … a recent convert” (1 Tim. 3:6), (2) “able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2), which is bound up with the particular ministry responsibilities of the pastor/overseer/elder.

Biblically, you cannot set leaders apart into exclusive and elitist categories where certain new rules and privileges apply. Christian leadership demands the same characteristics and virtues that ought to be present in Christians everywhere.

The trust given to leaders is in their function as servants. Their particular obligation is to promote the gospel.

In America, we must repent of our endless fascination for “leadership” borrowed from the business world: I am the boss, and, for all below me on the ladder, what I say goes. or of democratic models: Give the people what they want; take another survey, conduct another poll, and scratch where they itch.

The Church, and Christian leaders, must always remember that we have been entrusted with the gospel. Our service turns on making the gospel known and on encouraging the people of God. We do this by word, but also by example and discipline, to live it out.

Christian leaders must prove faithful to the One who has assigned them their fundamental task.

As Christian leaders we are not to focus on winning popularity contests, not even within the church’s borders. Paul said, “I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court.” (4:3) We are all accountable and can significantly help each other grow, sustain hope, and serve our Lord. But in the end there is only one Person whose “Well done!” on the last day means anything. Everything.

Paul said, “I do not even judge myself” (4:3). He does not mean that there is no place in his life for selfexamination or self-discipline; his own writings contradict such interpretation. What he means is that his own judging of himself cannot possibly have ultimate significance. As he puts it, “My conscience is clear.” (4:4).

No thoughtful reader of scripture can suppose that Paul is abolishing all functions of judgment in the church.1 Tim. 5:19–20 No one can imagine that Paul is insisting that Christians have no obligation whatsoever to “judge”  themselves, to examine and test the reality and consistency of their allegiance to Christ. Although no Christian’s opinion of himself or herself has ultimate importance, that does not stop Paul from saying, in the right circumstances, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” 2 Corinthians 13:5

As we go through the Scriptures, it is easy enough to find passages that prohibit “judging” and then to discover still others that command it. Matthew 7:1–2.

On the other hand, he says, do not judge only by appearance; and make a right judgment. (John 7:24). This tension is very strong throughout the New Testament. Chapter after chapter exhorts us as believers to be discerning, to distinguish right from wrong, to pursue what is best, to exercise discipline—love, with accountability in the church, and use proper judgment.

In many circles today, Do not judge, or you too will be judged (Matthew 7:1) has become the best-known verse in the Bible. What is regularly forgotten is that a few verses later Jesus tells His disciples, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs” (Matt. 7:6). This spoken and written wisdom presupposes that someone has to judge and discern who the dogs and pigs are. In other words, pluralism has invested a lot of energy and bias in only one
side of the biblical presentation. One facet is over-represented and distorted. The other is rejected and completely absent from consideration.

To sum it up, Paul is condemning the kind of judgment that simply writes a Christian leader off because he does not neatly fit into my camp, preconceptions, or because he appears to compete with my preferred guru or worse, because he is not in my pocket. With God’s help we can grow as leaders and fellow believers.