A Life Well Lived

After correcting the Corinthians’ faulty view of human leaders, Paul tells them (and us) how to rightly view spiritual leaders like pastors and elders. And then Paul goes beyond the job description to communicate a vision of what success actually looks like. The picture he paints is radically different from what our culture tells us to pursue and profoundly important for all who seek to live a meaningful life.

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent.It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
1 Corinthians 4:1-7