This is the way any person is to regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. 3 But to me it is an insignificant matter that I would be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself. However, I am not vindicated by this, but the one who examines me is the Lord. 5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before ]the time, but wait until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of human hearts; and then praise will come to each person from God (1Cor4:1-5)
The Corinthian church were inclined to put their faith in those they regarded as great men such as Paul, Peter or Apollos. But Paul adjures them to regard people like himself as stewards of the mysteries of God. The Holy Scriptures and the Good News they contain are by no means straightforward, lucid or as some have maintained: “perspicuous”. No one in the Bible utilizes the term “μυστήριον” (mystery or secret) more than the apostle Paul. There is the mystery of godliness (1Tim3:16), the mystery of the Church (Eph5:32), the mystery of the gospel (Eph6:19), the mystery of the faith (1Tim3:9), the mystery of lawlessness (anomias – 2Thes2:7), together with that which I am seeking to unravel – the fellowship (or dispensation) of the mystery, being the unforetold nature of Gentile inheritance and its implications to wider providence (Rom11:25, Eph3:9; Col1:27). Only when the latter has been apprehended can the final, yet more awesome mystery be appreciated,. It is summarized in Revelation (10:7) as “the mystery of God”. Its divulgence shall be sweet to the taste but will leave a bitter feeling in the gut with regard to what had earlier been assimilated.
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