THE LORD WILL BRING EVERYTHING TO LIGHT

Passage: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Key verse: 5

NIV

The Nature of True Apostleship

4 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants(A) of Christ and as those entrusted(B) with the mysteries(C) God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience(D) is clear, but that does not make me innocent.(E) It is the Lord who judges me.(F) 5 Therefore judge nothing(G) before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes.(H) He will bring to light(I) what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.(J)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Ministry of Apostles

4 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and (A)stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 (B)For I am not aware of anything against myself, (C)but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore (D)do not pronounce judgment before the time, (E)before the Lord comes, (F)who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. (G)Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The Corinthian Christians were divided on how they viewed Paul (1:12; 3:4). Some were proud of their worldly wisdom (3:18) and may have been skeptical or even despised Paul’s approach to ministry (2:1-5). Paul strongly encouraged the Corinthian Christians to view the apostles, including himself, as servants of Christ. They had been entrusted with the mysteries of God, the gospel, to share with them. They had been faithful stewards of that trust.

Paul did not carry out his ministry for human approval. In fact, he cared little if the Corinthians judged him, and his own conscience was clear. Still, that did not make him innocent. The Lord judged him, and only the Lord’s judgment mattered. The Lord Jesus will come again as judge. At that time, Jesus will bring to light whatever is hidden in darkness and expose every motive of the heart. Then each person will receive praise from God.

Prove faithful to the gospel entrusted to you. Grow in your love for Jesus. Share the gospel with others. Though some may judge you negatively, the Lord sees all. Wait for him to return. Pray to be faithful. He will bring everything to light, and those who have faith will receive God’s praise.

Prayer: Father, thank you for entrusting the gospel to me. Help me to be faithful to you, knowing that you bring everything to light.

One Word: Entrusted with the gospel