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1 Corinthians 4 Bible study: Stewards of God’s mysteries

1 Corinthians 4 says, "So let a man think of us as Christ’s servants and stewards of God’s mysteries." (4:1), and says what is required of stewards: "that they be found faithful" (4:2). It uses the same word for Timothy, "my beloved and faithful child in the Lord" (4:17). And it asks, "what do you have that you didn’t receive?" (4:7).

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“For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn’t receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”
1 Corinthians 4:7 · World English Bible

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“1 Corinthians 4 uses the word "faithful" of stewards (4:2) and of Timothy (4:17).”

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What's really going on

Servants and stewards

In the text

Chapter 3 ends, "and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s." (3:23). Then the letter goes on: "So let a man think of us as Christ’s servants and stewards of God’s mysteries." (4:1) (tap servants, stewards). Favor's introduction to 1 Corinthians begins a new part of the letter here, Servants and stewards. The next verse says what is asked of a steward: "Here, moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." (4:2). Then the letter's I speaks of being judged: "But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by a human court. Yes, I don’t even judge my own self. For I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord." (4:3-4) (tap judged). And: "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God." (4:5). These verses say "the Lord" without saying more, and these notes don't either.

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The Greek word behind it

οἰκονόμοςoikonomossay oy-kon-OM-os

Strong's: "a house-distributor (i.e. manager), or overseer". Thayer lists 4:2 under "the manager of a household or of household affairs". "So let a man think of us as Christ’s servants and stewards of God’s mysteries." (4:1), and "Here, moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." (4:2). The New Testament has the word ten times (counted in RP2018), and 1 Corinthians only in these two verses. Favor's Luke 12 and Luke 16 study it, where the WEB has steward and manager, and Favor's Romans 16 points here. Later the letter has "I have a stewardship entrusted to me" (9:17): behind stewardship is a related noun, which Strong's gives as "from G3623", this word.

For your group

1 Corinthians 4 Bible study questions

  1. 1"that none of you be puffed up against one another" (4:6). When are you most tempted to be puffed up against someone else, and what helps you?
  2. 2"And what do you have that you didn’t receive?" (4:7). Name one thing you have that you received. Does seeing it as received change how you speak about it?
  3. 3"I beg you therefore, be imitators of me." (4:16). Whose way of following Christ has helped you most, and what did you learn from watching it?

Leading a group? In Favor, everyone reads 1 Corinthians 4 during the week and answers these questions privately. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together, and you can print the week's sheet.

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Questions

What is Favor?

Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the Hebrew and Greek behind the words, the details most readers miss, and how each part of the Bible leads to Jesus. Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church.

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The World English Bible, a modern, readable translation in the public domain. God's name appears as "the LORD", as in most English Bibles.

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Hebrew and Greek words are checked against the original-language texts and public-domain lexicons. What we believe · Favor home