1 Corinthians 4:1, Ministers of Christ

1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

The Apostle Paul uses an accounting term “let a man so account of us” (v1a), the word “reckon, count, think”, “logizomai” means to think according to logical rules; an objective reckoning as in keeping a mental record take into account. How do we think or look at God’s representatives?

More specifically, the word “minister” “hyperetes”, “servant” is derived from the preposition “hupo” under, beneath and “eretes”, a rower; hence an under-rower. The Apostle Paul did not use the other word “diakonos” for slave/servant. This word “hyperetes” a description of a rower or slave on the lower level of a ship’s deck, who rows of oars that great sweeps through the sea to move the vessel. This is the description of a lowly, poor, self-effacing, subservient, unprivileged coolie, labourer or server.

He is called a minister of Christ. A minister who characterizes “Christ”, Israel’s Messiah. And the emphasis here is of Christ the suffering servant in His first coming. It also gives a picture of Christ as the pilot who directs the course of a ship and Paul as a servant who accepts the Pilot’s orders and labours only as his Master directs.

The Apostle Paul tells us the godly qualities to look out for in God’s servants. The word “minister” has the basic meaning one who acts under orders of another to carry out his will, an assistant or helper. In our text, it refers to those who work with Christ to accomplish His purposes – a trusted servant or minister. Just as Joshua was an assistant to Moses and Timothy was an assistant to Paul.

Thank God for raising ministers to serve Him. May God bless and strengthen them. Amen.