The big picture
1 Corinthians 4 opens in verse 1 with “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 11 with “Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted…”, and closes in verse 21 with “What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of…” Repeated or prominent terms include Christ, Lord, puffed, beloved, both. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
1 Corinthians · King James Version · 211 Corinthians 4:1-7
1–7: Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards…
1 Corinthians 4:1–7 opens with “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” and reaches “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Corinthians 4 develops its own movement around Christ, Lord, puffed, beloved, both, with particular weight carried by didst, judge, Lord.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” Naming Moreover keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Corinthians 4:1-7
King James Version1Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
6And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
7For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
1 Corinthians 4:8-14
8–14: Ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I…
1 Corinthians 4:8–14 opens with “Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did…” and reaches “I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Corinthians 4 develops its own movement around Christ, Lord, puffed, beloved, both, with particular weight carried by reign, world, angels.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
“For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
1 Corinthians 4:8-14
King James Version8Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
9For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
11Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
12And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
13Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
14I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
1 Corinthians 4:15-21
15–21: For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not…
1 Corinthians 4:15–21 opens with “For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in…” and reaches “What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Corinthians 4 develops its own movement around Christ, Lord, puffed, beloved, both, with particular weight carried by Christ, Lord, power.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
1 Corinthians 4:15-21
King James Version15For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
17For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
18Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
19But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
20For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
21What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
Details worth noticing
The opening image
1 Corinthians 4:1 begins with “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
Where the chapter turns
1 Corinthians 4:8 forms a natural hinge: “Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.”
The final note
1 Corinthians 4:21 leaves the reader with “What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Christ, Lord, puffed, beloved, both, didst help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What opportunity exists before the murder?
Cain receives a warning and a call to resist sin in verse 7. Anger is not treated as an irresistible excuse.
What do the two speeches about vengeance reveal?
God limits retaliation against Cain; Lamech celebrates escalation.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- hath
- has
- wherefore
- for that reason
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.