The Stewards of God's Mysteries
1 Cor 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."
Col 1:25 "of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,"
Theme |
Description |
Explanation |
Example |
Detailed Scripture |
---|---|---|---|---|
Stewards of God's Mysteries |
Apostles are stewards of God's mysteries, responsible for dispensing God's mysteries to believers |
Steward (oikonomia) refers to a household manager who distributes supplies to family members. The apostles' role is to dispense God's mysteries (Christ and the church) to believers |
In ancient wealthy households, stewards were responsible for distributing necessities to family members |
1 Cor 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 Tim 1:4 "nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith." Eph 1:10 "as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth." |
The Stewardship |
The apostles' ministry is a stewardship, i.e., a dispensing service |
Stewards are responsible for dispensing the supply of divine life to God's children, enabling them to grow and build up the church |
Paul dispensed the riches of Christ to the saints and the entire Body |
Eph 3:2 "assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you" Col 1:25 "of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known," |
Christ as God's Mystery |
Christ is the embodiment and expression of the mysterious God |
God is mysterious, but He is embodied in Christ, making it possible for people to know God |
Christ expresses and explains God |
Col 2:2 "that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ," |
The Church as Christ's Mystery |
The church is the Body of Christ, the manifestation of Christ |
Christ dwelling in believers is mysterious, but the church as Christ's Body manifests Him |
To contact the church is to contact Christ |
Eph 3:4-6 "When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel." |
The Dispensing Ministry |
The apostles' ministry is to dispense the riches of Christ to believers and the church |
Stewards distribute God's rich supply to His children, enabling them to grow in the divine life |
Paul dispensed the unsearchable riches of Christ into believers |
Eph 3:8-9 "To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things," Col 1:27-29 "To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." |
This table summarizes the main aspects of 'The Stewards of God's Mysteries,' including the definition and responsibilities of a steward, the content of God's mysteries (Christ and the church), as well as the purpose and practice of the stewardship.
*Please refer to Life-Study of 1 Corinthians, Message Thirty-Four, Stewards of the Mysteries of God (1)
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