20160719 Tuesday, July 19 2016
1 Corinthians 04: Disciples, Ministers, Apostles, Prophets

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God"

The English-language word "disciple" is derived from a Greek word, pronounced math-ay-tes, that means learner, or student. "Disciple" is the starting point of doing something right (see Which Way Is Right And Left? and Strait And Straight).

The English-language word "apostle" is derived from a Greek word, pronounced ap-os-tol-os, that means messenger, or ambassador. By virtue of the true meaning of "apostle," an apostle is someone who was sent to accomplish a task, or to deliver a message, from someone greater. In that regard, all true prophets of the LORD (see the Fact Finder question below) have been "apostles." A prime example of that is John, who was chosen by the LORD as one of the twelve apostles, but also was later given to deliver one of the greatest collections of prophecies - the Book of Revelation which was actually an epistle, a letter, from Jesus Christ, recorded and delivered by John, to the "seven churches" (see Revelation: Thy Kingdom Come).

The English-language word "minister" originated from a Latin word, of the same spelling, that meant minor, as in one who acts under the authority of another (The Consolidated Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary). "Minister" is used to translate two words of the Holy Scriptures: the Hebrew word, pronounced shaw-rawth, that means attendant or servant, and the Greek word, pronounced dee-ak-on-ohs, that also means attendant or servant. There is nothing "high and mighty" about a true minister of the LORD i.e. it is incorrect to call a minister "Mister" in an official sense because "mister" means master, while "minister" means servant.

From their literal definitions, we have seen that disciples, ministers, apostles and prophets, although different in assignment, are identical in the basis of their work. It was for that reason that the apostle Paul spoke of all three of those servants of the LORD as functional parts of a whole - the Church, which means people, "called out ones" (see What's The Expiration Date Of The Church?).

"4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 4:3 But 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. 4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 4:5 Therefore 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.

4:6 And 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. 4:7 For 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?

4:8 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. 4:9 For 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. 4:10 We 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. 4:11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 4:12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 4:13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

4:14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 4:17 For 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.

4:18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. 4:19 But 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. 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?" (1 Corinthians 4:1-21 KJV)

Fact Finder: What does "prophet" mean?
See Israel In History and Prophecy: The Prophets