Year of the Bible
1 Corinthians 4
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Commentary on the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 4:
Chapter 4 is the final chapter of Paul providing a theological foundation for unity, before diving in to address the practical matters causing division within the Church at Corinth. Paul describes those in ministry as “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God” (vs. 1). This spirituality of service and stewardship is an antidote to boastfulness, competitiveness, and arrogance (vs. 6-7). When we, as both leaders and followers in ministry, recognize that the wisdom and opportunities that flow from God are truly gifts (vs. 7) we are able to imitate Paul in humbly imitating Jesus (vs. 16). We can think of ourselves as “fools for Christ’s sake,” rather than pursuing honor and prestige as part of the Body of Christ in the world (vs. 10-11).
First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 4:
The Ministry of the Apostles
1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 3 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. 4 I am not aware of any thing against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 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 every man will receive his commendation from God.
6 I have applied all this to my self and Apollos for your benefit, brethren, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is writ ten, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?
8 Already you are filled! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly clothed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the dregs of all things.
Fatherly Admonition
14 I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 Therefore I sent to you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to re mind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. 18 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 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. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
*Daily Lectio Divina Question:
“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries.” (v.1) Lord, how can I serve you today? Teach me what it means to be a steward of your mysteries.
Biblical Commentary provided by the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan, an adult faith formation apostolate. Catholic Biblical School of Michigan (cbsmich.org/join).
Revised Standard Version; Second Catholic Edition. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2006).
Permission to use the RSV-2CE given for Bishop's Year of the Bible by Ignatius Press. Many thanks to Ignatius for this. If you're looking for a good Catholic edition of the Bible, look no further
1 Corintios 4
4 1 Así han de considerarnos los hombres:
ministros de Cristo y administradores de
los misterios de Dios.
2 Por lo demás, lo que se busca en los
administradores es que sean fieles. 3 En
cuanto a mí, poco me importa ser juzgado
por vosotros o por un tribunal humano.
Ni siquiera yo mismo me juzgo.
4 Pues aunque en nada me remuerde la
conciencia, no por eso quedo justificado.
Quien me juzga es el Señor. 5 Por
tanto, no juzguéis nada antes de tiempo,
hasta que venga el Señor: él iluminará
lo oculto de las tinieblas y pondrá
de manifiesto las intenciones de los corazones;
entonces cada uno recibirá de
parte de Dios la alabanza debida.
6 Estas cosas, hermanos, las he aplicado
a mí mismo y a Apolo por vuestra
causa, para que en nosotros aprendáis
aquello de «no ir más allá de lo escrito»,
para que nadie se enorgullezca a favor de
uno en contra de otro. 7 Porque ¿quién te
enaltece? ¿Qué tienes que no hayas recibido?
Y si lo recibiste, ¿por qué te glorías,
como si no lo hubieras recibido?
8 Ya estáis satisfechos, ya os habéis
enriquecido, sin nosotros habéis llegado
a reinar. ¡Ojalá reinaseis, para que
también nosotros reináramos con vosotros!
9 Porque pienso que Dios, a nosotros
los apóstoles, nos ha puesto los últimos,
como condenados a muerte, pues
nos hemos convertido en espectáculo
para el mundo, para los ángeles y para
los hombres. 10 Nosotros, necios por
Cristo; vosotros, prudentes en Cristo;
nosotros débiles, vosotros fuertes; vosotros
honrados, nosotros despreciados.
11 Hasta el momento presente pasamos
hambre, sed, desnudez, somos abofeteados,
andamos errantes, 12 y nos esforzamos
trabajando con nuestras propias
manos; nos maldicen y bendecimos,
nos persiguen y lo soportamos, 13 nos ultrajan
y respondemos con bondad. Hemos
venido a ser hasta ahora como la
basura del mundo, el desecho de todos.
14 No os escribo esto para avergonzaros,
sino para amonestaros como a hijos
míos queridísimos. 15 Pues aunque
tengáis diez mil pedagogos en Cristo,
no tenéis muchos padres, porque yo os
engendré en Cristo Jesús por medio del
Evangelio. 16 Por consiguiente, os suplico:
sed imitadores míos. 17 Por esto os
envié a Timoteo, que es mi hijo queridísimo
y fiel en el Señor, para que os recuerde
mis normas de conducta, que
son las de Cristo, tal como enseño por
todas partes en todas las iglesias.
18 Algunos se han engreído, como si
yo no fuera a volver con vosotros. 19 Pero,
si el Señor quiere, pronto iré donde vosotros
y conoceré no la palabrería de
esos engreídos, sino su eficacia; 20 que no
consiste el Reino de Dios en hablar sino
en hacer. 21 ¿Qué preferís? ¿Que vaya
donde vosotros con la vara, o con caridad
y espíritu de mansedumbre?
Pregunta de Lectio Divina del día de hoy
La Biblia de Navarra
Permiso para usar esta versión de la primera edición de la Biblia de Navarra
para el Año de la Biblia del Obispo
dado por Ediciones Universidad de Navarra, S.A. (EUNSA).