office, was intended to apply to all ministers, that the people should not estimate them miduly, and that all emulous con- tentions might be avoided, vs. 6, V. The false teacliers in Corinth, an^ the people under their influence, considered themselves to be in a high state of religious prosperity, and were disposed to self-indulgence, v. 8. The apostles were in a very different condition, at least as to their external circum- stances. They were despised, afflicted, and persecuted ; while their adversaries were honoured, prosperous, and caressed, vs. 9-13. Paul presented this contrast not to mortify, but to admonish his readers, v. 14. He, if any one, had a right to admonish them, for he was their spiritual father, v. 15. They should therefore imitate him ; and, to that end, he had sent Timothy to remind them of his instructions and example, vs. 16. 17. He himself intended soon to visit Corinth; and it depended on them whether he should come with a rod, or in the spirit of meekness, vs. 18-21.
1. Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
This is the conclusion or deduction from the preceding discussion. Ministers are the servants of Christ, and stewards of God. Let a man^ i. e. every one. Account of us, (Aoyi- ^ecrSo>) let him think of us, or regard us as being. The min- isters of Christ. Literally the word (yTrrjpirqs:) means an under-rowe?', or common sailor ; and then, subordinate servant of any kind. It is generally and properly used of menials, or of those of the lower class of servants. This is not always the case, but here the idea of entire subjection is to be retained. Ministers are the mere servants of Christ; they have no authority of their own ; then* whole business is to do what they are commanded.
And stewards of the masteries of God. Stewards (oIkovo- ftot) were generally slaves appointed as managers or overseers. It was their business to direct the affairs of the household, and dispense the provisions. It is as dispensers ministers are here called stewards. They are to dispense the mysteries of God, that is, the truths which God had revealed, and which, as being undiscoverable by human reason, are called mysteries, into the knowledge of which men must be initiated. Myste- ries here do not mean the sacraments. The word is never used in reference to either baptism or the Lord's Supper in the New