"Let a man so account of us" - (ESV)This is how one should regard us. Paul is setting the stage for the topic of judging others and even judging ourselves. He also ties this into a previous subject in the last chapter concerning divisions based on men associating themselves with another man and glorying in him.
"ministers" - subordinate, under-rowers. This word has been used in secular Koine writing to describe those who under-rowers. They row following the beat of the drum. They take a lesser but important role in order for a ship to operate in non or contrary wind conditions. They are mere servants carrying out the will of their masters, trying to fulfill it as the Lord commands them.
They also are stewards. A steward is a servant who is the head over other servants in the absence of the master. The steward must be trusted by the master and respected by the other slaves since he is in a position of great responsibility. Every servant of God must be trusted by the Lord and respected by other believers in order to be effective in communicating the word of the Lord.
"mysteries of God" - a mystery in the NT is something that was once concealed but is now divinely revealed. The servant of the Lord had the responsibility of sharing these newly revealed mysteries to the people of God. Their role was to share the mysteries and to keep them from being perverted.
"it is required" - lit. "it_is_sought_for." Above all, the greatest qualification that a steward can have is to be trustworthy and faithful. A man like this who is honouring his master because he loves him and wants never to disappoint the master is a highly rare commodity. This should define our stewardship concerning what the Lord has entrusted to us. Also, this should accurately portray our workplace relationship with our boss if we are put in the position under him but over other workers.
"judged" - examined, at which the accused has to answer an give account (Lu 23:14). This is the word that is used for judged until v5. Paul is confident and is not concerned with how man would rule in relation to his own self if he was to give account before men since: 1. he knows man wouldn't find fault in his stewardship, and, 2. it is the Lord who judges.
It's of no concern to Paul if he is judged by the Corinthians or by any other man. Paul can state with complete confidence that he is not at fault in regards to anything against the Corinthians. Man should not judge the thoughts, motives or intents of other men because we cannot discern them. This is true even concerning ourselves, seeing our own heart is dishonest and cannot be trusted (Jer 17:9).
The true judge is the Lord. We cannot honestly judge ourselves since any fault we might have we have justified and count ourselves right. It is the Lord alone who justifies our thoughts and actions. All is naked and open in His sight (Heb 4:13), what He sees He will judge (Rev 19:12), and it will be compared against the word of God which will reveal what is right and consume by fire what is wrong (Jer 23:29).
"judge" - to decide by trial. Remember the context. Paul isn't saying that in the local assembly it is wrong to judge for sin and deal with it accordingly (as he will begin into in 1 Cor 5). The context is the stewardship. It is for the master to decide whether the steward has done a good job or not. The time will come someday, at the Judgment Seat of Christ, when the Lord returns to set up His kingdom. It is at this judgment that the concealed will be revealed. All are naked and open in His sight, and it will be all put on the table. What is wood, hay, and stubble will be consumed, what is gold, silver and precious stones will remain for Him. He will reveal the works and also the intents of the heart and the motives of men. Following all of this, then each man will have praise from God as he is seen fit. What an amazing and baffling thought, that on the merits of Christ we are put into a position someday where we may hear the Lord say, "well done thou good and faithful servant" (Matt 25:21, 23) because He judges that we have done rightly with what He has given us.
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