VII.
Let’s take one more season with Paul’s words and pay attention for all the indicators and traits that he would associate with “servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.”

VIII.
1 Corinthians 4:1-6, 17-21 (NRSVue)

Think of us in this way: as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.

I have applied all this to Apollos and myself for your benefit, brothers and sisters, so that you may learn through us what “Not beyond what is written” means, so that none of you will be puffed up in favor of one against another.

For this reason I sent you Timothy, who is my beloved and trustworthy child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, as I teach them everywhere in every church. But some of you, thinking that I am not coming to you, have become arrogant. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power. What would you prefer? Am I to come to you with a stick or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

IX.
What did you notice?

What is “required of stewards … “? What do you think he includes when he writes “… that they be found trustworthy”?

He speaks of some who have “become arrogant.” Is Paul arrogant when he writes, “I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted”?

He associates that some may be “puffed up in favor of one against another” with “Not beyond what is written.” Do you think he might be thinking of those of the community who are trying to “add” something to the Gospel Paul has taught and/or reinterpret aspects of the Hebrew Scripture that are inconsistent with the teachings of Rabbi Jesus?

Take some time to consider, “… the Kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power.”

What in your life as a disciple of Jesus goes beyond “talk” to the “power” Paul envisions?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}