Pt:17. 19/10/2025

Then Shall Every Man Have Praise of God.

1 Corinthians 4:1–5

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

It is Love which motivates us to obey God and Fear motivates us not to disobey God.

2 Corinthians 5:14

14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

The word “Constrain” is the same as the word “motivate” (see Job 32:18-19 where it is likened to a belly ready to burst)

Love motivates us to do God’s will.

Fear motivates us not to disobey God.

Exodus 1:17

17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

The midwives feared God more than they feared the king of Egypt, and so they did not want to disobey God.

So too was the lack of fear that moved the same King to disobey God.

Exodus 9:30

30 But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God.

Paul is addressing the behaviour of the Corinthians respecting their wayward judgment of Paul’s ministry and he does so through the stating of basic facts that, if trusted and beleived by the people, would be praiseworthy of the Lord;

then shall every man have praise of God.

Paul’s first lays out the basic requirement of the Servant of God that ought to be presumed as a minimum requirement, 2  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Paul was indeed a steward, and most importantly one of ONLY 12 Apostles. 

Apostle Defined: He had seen the risen Christ, was called directly by Christ to attend to the work of Christ even as he was beforehand a persecutor of Christ our Lord.

Any steward of ANY master ought to fear them enough not to disobey them but love them enough  to be truly “faithful” in their work. The more the steward has loving regard for his master, the more he will be naturally found faithful.

Therefore; When Fear of God and love for God leads to faithfulness in God; then shall every man have praise of God.

Next we see Paul’s admonishment of the Corinthians for their presumptuous judgments of him. 

We do not have a clear understanding of what it was that they seemed to have rashly judged of Paul, its seems that it was not actions but motives, for we are ALL called to judge actions but none can judge motives.

MOTIVE defined: Is a reason for doing something, an underlying incentive that drives a persons actions. NONE of us are qualified to judge any persons motive, only God can justly do so.

Whatever it was which the Corinthians Churched judged of Paul, we can see at least that they were overconfident in their judgment: Wise in their own conceit. 

We recognise this because not even Paul thought himself qualified to judge his own motives. I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself;

These are some of the areas of our own lives we need the Lord to search us out diligently.

We often think our motives are pure, but it takes a deep and humble searching of our own hearts as we ask him to “see if there be any wicked way in me” (Ps 139:24). You may surprise yourself beloved!

And so,  Fear & Love For God LOOKS to His Judgement in HIS Time then shall every man have praise of God.

When Paul states emphatically “Therefore judge nothing before the time” in v5, we become even more confident that he is not speaking of matters that we are called to judge, but matters that none but God can judge. 

Hence it seems only motives or the secret thoughts and intents of the heart are referred to in this passage.

We know this must be true for we are all commanded to discern the truth of a matter and judge actions, to  Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.John 7:24

Our entire Westminster system of Law and Order was framed through Scripture and Scripture itself teaches how we ought to judge matters, we cannot both be called to judge righteous judgment  and also commanded to literally judge nothing. 

Context matters and the context of the passage is according to the basic rules of logic and non-contradiction. 

Actions are weighed in the balance, intentions must be proved beyond reasonable doubt, but completely insufficient on their own.

God alone perfectly knows the thoughts and intents of the heart, and he had made it clear that he will reveal all, publicly and in due time and you and I ought to be very, very careful in how we judge matters that he and he alone is able to do. Therefore;

Fear and Love FOR God Looks To The Revelation Of God then shall every man have praise of God.

Fear & Love of God Leads To Faithfulness

1 Corinthians 4:1–2

1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

“Let a man so account of us,…”

Lest we be mistaken, though Paul rebukes the Corinthians in this passage for wrongfully judging him, his ultimate desire for them all is seen there at the end of verse 5;

Then Shall Every Man Have Praise of God.

Paul’s primary desire is for their blessing and now he holds them to account;

“Let a man so account of us,…”

The natural running account, the reckoning evaluation of those considering Paul respecting his ministry is to be apparent to the people who may judge his ministry.

Paul first lays claim that the ability for people to see his work and evaluate his stewardship in the work, ought to be apparent to any who diligently give consideration to it.

“Let a man so account of us

Paul gave many accounts of his own ministry, but his reputation already had preceded him before he appeared in the city of Corinth to plant the churches there during his SECOND missionary journey. 

He rebukes them for their misguided judgment of him and we see his almost barbed response to them further down in this same chapter;

1 Corinthians 4:9–14

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

14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

And he goes on.

The accounting of his ministry, the reckoning of his faithfulness in the ministry ought to be assessed on its plainly evident merits rather than on perceived motives.

1 Corinthians 4:1–2

1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ,…

Every minister is called by God to attend to the service of the work. 

WOE to the man who is NOT CALLED and yet runs to do the work presumptuously, there are many in these days who do so. 

This truly is frightening and shows that such people have no FEAR of God, they run but God has not sent them.

God speaks to Jeremiah to warn of those who do this, turn to;

Jeremiah 23:20–22

20 The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly. 21 I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. 22 But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.

Many run as if they are of God, but he has NOT called them. The fruit of their actions testify to the truth and every tree is judged by its fruit (Lk 6:43-44)

Only the man himself is able to discern this calling and so there is a presumption of fear respecting it. 

It is not an AMBITION but a CALLING. 

AMBITION is testified by those whose Diotrephic desire is ONLY to rule over men.

3 John 9

9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

Paul is a “minister of Christ” and it is defined as a calling directly by God alone and the man who is called KNOWS IT.

Many years ago I had a man who was not sure if he was called to pastor a particular Baptist Church. When I asked if God had called him as a Pastor, his response was that he was not sure.

Beloved, this is an honest response of one who both loves and fears God, for there must be an objective certainty to the call.

When God wanted to ensure he had Abrahams attention he called “Abraham, Abraham, and he said, Here am I” (Gen 22:11)

When it was Moses, he called ‘Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I” (Exo 3:4)

When Jacob, it was “Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I” (Gen 46:2)

When it was Samuel, God had called him already several times, but then “Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth” (1 Sam 3:10)

And so when this man had told me that he was not sure if God had called him to Pastor the Church, my response to him was simply that, if he was not sure, then it IS sure God had NOT called him to this ministry. 

1 Corinthians 4:1–2

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

Beloved, the “steward” is the caretaker, and the faithful steward knows the heart of his master and does all he can to ensure he takes good and faithful care of his stewardship. 

In this case it is that related to that surrounding the Gospel of Christ, for these are “the mysteries of God“.

“Mysteries” are only referred to in the New Testament, and from its first use in the mouth of Jesus it is  related to the Kingdom of God and the gospel of Christ.

Paul refers to it clearly in Romans 16

Romans 16:25

25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

The fundamental concern for Paul is NOT what others think of his ministry or how others judge his ministry, the fundamental concern for Paul is that GOD would find him faithful.

Beloved, this is where it matters more for you than for anything else. 

DO NOT FEAR MAN.

DO NOT CONCERN YOURSELF WITH MANS JUDGEMENT.

Fear God. Love God and all will be well no matter what man thinks of you or how man judges you. God is looking for men and women who will have their focus upon HIM and HIM ALONE.

What others think of you is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.

What God thinks of you ought to be YOUR ONLY business for “it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful“.

If you fear God truly, you would be greatly concerned not to disobey him. 

If you Love God truly, your only desire is to faithfully serve him.

Fear & Love of God Leads To Faithfulness Then shall every man have praise of God.

Fear & Love of God Looks To His Judgement

1 Corinthians 4:3–4

 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 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

This is truly such an intriguing passage, for on the one hand Paul is surprised by the level of presumption in those who see themselves as qualified to judge his motives;

 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment:

Paul qualifies this by equally submitting that he is truly not perfectly qualified to even judge himself; yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself;.

Turn to Psalm 139

Psalm 139:23–24

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 26:2

2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

There is both Fear and Love of God in this, for we desire ONLY to be tried by the Lord. We come to him with a humble heart and seeks to KNOW what god knows of us, try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,

Not everyone will do this, most people, by far the greatest majority of people, want to think of themselves more highly than they ought to think. 

They don’t WANT to know the TRUTH about themselves because they love themselves MORE than they love God. 

They put on the airs and the graces, they dress to impress, “… for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.” (Matthew 23:5–7

They have a greater FEAR of man than they do of God, and so they do not want to be seen by others any different from how they WANT to see themselves, the last thing they want is light to shine on their own sin.

John 3:20

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 

The “examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart” prayer of Psalm 26:2is  frightening to indulge, it requires an act of courage that we must all have the will to risk.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:21

Are we first willing to allow God to shine a private light on our sin? On our words, deeds, motives and intents?

4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 1 Corinthians 4:4

Fear & Love of God Looks To His Judgement

Beloved, when we earnestly only have our concerns of what God thinks of us, suddenly there is true and genuine freedom that says “I WILL NEVER AGAIN WORRY OF WHAT MAN THINKS OF ME”. 

This is one of the greatest liberties you will ever find.

One of the greatest causes of anxiety today is that which comes from worrying about what people think of us. Social media is the main propagator of this fear and far too many people (both youth AND adult) have succumbed to this inner turmoil.

Many years ago a pastor said to me that I needed to make sure I look right in front of my congregation, less they think less of me. 

I responded that I cant care too much about what people think of me, he responded that I MUST care.

My answer to him was in the form of a question, “HOW?”.

“How can I worry about what people think of me and STILL faithfully minister to them?”

No answer!

“How can I ensure everyone thinks of me the way I WANT them to think of me?“

Again, no answer!

Far too many legalistic Churches have entertained this nonsense and far too many people “look the goods” externally, “but are within full of dead mens bones” said Jesus (Matt 23:27).

1 Corinthians 4:3–4

 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 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

When you KNOW that you love and fear God more than you do man, you are FREE from worrying about “keeping up appearances” any more.

When your ONLY concern is what God thinks, suddenly, apologising for your own sin against your brethren becomes easier.

Suddenly, you no longer judge others as you once did, for they too are justified as you are and they too have the Lord who judges them.

Romans 14:4

4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Man is an incredibly jealous creature, and not jealous in the positive sense as God is jealous for his people, but in the negative sense related to envy.

Man is going to judge you falsely and even accuse you falsely, that he may JUSTIFY HIMSELF. These are the days when too few fear God’s justice in such matters.

Fear & Love of God Looks To His Judgement

Then shall every man have praise of God.

Fear & Love of God Looks To His Revelation.

1 Corinthians 4:5

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.

There was a time when men feared God.

 A time when not only the things we do or the things we say was of future concern to be revealed by God, but even matters of the mind. 

Those days seem long gone.

Evil no longer concerns itself with acts in the dark and whispers in the night. The thoughts of the hearts of men are now plastered publicly for all to see and the revelation of the counsels of hearts are willingly volunteered in the hope of just one more “Like“, one more “follow“, one more “subscription“.

By and large men no longer fear God. No beloved, I am not talking of the godless world, I am talking of those who claim him as their own, I am talking of Christians.

5 Therefore judge nothing before the time,

Christians today have no fear of judging the hearts of one another, of judging motives and intents. Of trying to read between the lines. 

They have little fear that God, whom they claim to love, will hold every word to account.

Matthew 12:36–37

36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

People like me, who talk a lot, run the greatest risk of all. 

James 3:1–2

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

1 Corinthians 4:5

5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come,

And come he will, to judge the quick and the dead 

2 Timothy 4:1

1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

Peter speaks of those who judge the just, who think it to be a strange thing that they will not do as they once did and so use their words to condemn you;

1 Peter 4:4–5

⁴ Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

Come he will, but there is little fear of God today, even among those called by his name.

1 Corinthians 4:5

5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness,

It is so strange that we think there is nothing to fear respecting God simply because we are his children. Seems to align itself with the times in which we live, no longer do many children fear their earthly fathers and so they have little concern to fear their heavenly. 

Earthly fathers ought to be honoured, respected and indeed feared. Children today do not understand that both love and fear are part and parcel of the relationship of a father to a child. And so they attend to hidden matters they want none to see and think their heavenly father is blind to their doings.

It’s as if the clouds cover his eyes, it’s as if he needs the light he made to pierce the darkness to see what man does in the dark.

Yet it will be he who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness,

Ecclesiastes 12:14

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

But will it indeed be public?

There was a time when this concerned us, a time when we would watch our P’s and Q’s so to speak, because we feared a public revelation of the hidden things of darkness. But not today. 

We don’t read our bibles today let alone believe everything written therein, so there is little fear.

But will it certainly be public?

Turn to Luke 12

While the Lord is addressing the hypocrisy of the pharisees, he is also warning in general terms.

Luke 12:2–3

2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. 3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Have you sorrowed for your sin beloved? 

Have you called to remembrance your secret sins and especially the words you have spoken of your brethren in darkness? Have you confessed any evil that has been procured through them and sorrowed before those whom you have slandered?

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.1 Corinthians 11:31

This is the promise of the scriptures and this is the only way the secret things, the hidden works of darkness, can be forgiven before that day. 

Judge yourself, check your own sin before God. Make recompense if it is a matter that has done evident injury and seek the forgiveness of both man and God.

1 Corinthians 4:5

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.

This is where the fear of God and our love for God come together in summary. 

It is our conscience toward God that will testify to the truth in that day. 

It is the searching of our own hearts before the Lord that will testify to a praise from God in that day.

In Romans 2 Paul speaks to the natural state of the conscience of man toward God that we all ought to manifest all the more.

Turn to this final passage, Romans 2:13-16

13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Beloved you and I ought to long for God to judge our hearts as faithful. We ought to desire that the Lord will search our hearts now, even now, to bring up any wicked way in us. 

We ought to read the word of God and be willing to expose the true nature of our hearts before the Lord, that we may both try our love for Christ but also that we may see how much Jesus loved us to be willing to die that we may live.

O that our light would shine for Jesus.

John the Baptist said of Christ

30 He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30

It is our light for Jesus that needs to shine, for that to be true, “he must increase, but I must decrease;

Then shall every man have praise of God.