Stewards of the Mysteries of God
In 1 Corinthians 4:1, Paul introduces a concept that ties together his entire understanding of ministry: apostles are not masters of the message but stewards of it. The mysteries belong to God. The apostles' job is to guard them, preserve them, and distribute them faithfully.
The Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2
"This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful."— 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (ESV)
Two words define Paul's self-understanding here: hypēretas ("servants" or "subordinates") and oikonomous ("stewards" or "household managers"). A steward in the ancient world was a trusted servant who managed the master's household and resources. The steward did not own anything; he was entrusted with what belonged to his master and held accountable for its management.
What Are "the Mysteries"?
The plural "mysteries" (mystēriōn) here likely refers to the full range of revealed truths that the apostles were commissioned to proclaim. This includes:
- The mystery of Christ — Gentile inclusion in the body
- The mystery of the gospel — the message of salvation
- The mystery of God's will — the plan to unite all things in Christ
- And all the other specific mysteries Paul identifies in his letters
The apostles did not generate these truths. They received them by revelation and were responsible for passing them on accurately. This is why Paul insists: "it is required of stewards that they be found faithful" — not innovative, not creative, not popular, but faithful to what they received.
Context: The Corinthian Problem
Paul writes this in response to factionalism at Corinth. Some believers were saying "I follow Paul," others "I follow Apollos," others "I follow Cephas" (1 Corinthians 1:12). By calling himself a steward rather than a leader of a movement, Paul deflates the personality cult. Apostles are not celebrities to be followed; they are servants of a message that belongs to someone else. The focus should be on the mysteries they steward, not on the stewards themselves.
1 Timothy 3:9 — Deacons and the Mystery of the Faith
A related verse appears in 1 Timothy 3:9, where Paul says that deacons "must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience." Here the stewardship concept extends beyond apostles to church officers. Deacons are also stewards of the faith, required to hold it with integrity and conviction. The "mystery of the faith" is essentially the same body of revealed truth — the gospel and its implications — now entrusted to the ongoing leadership of the church.
Stewardship and Proclamation
The steward concept connects directly to the theme of proclamation that runs through Paul's mystery theology. A steward who hides the master's resources has failed. Paul's urgency to proclaim the mystery boldly (Ephesians 6:19-20, Colossians 4:3-4) is the urgency of a steward who knows he will be held accountable. The mystery was revealed in order to be shared. Faithful stewardship means open proclamation. See The Mystery of the Gospel for more on this obligation.