Leadership, accountability, 1 Corinthians 4 and how to read the Bible

 

In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul has some pretty strong things to say about his accountability to God alone: I do not care if I am judged by you or by any other human court. Let us wait for God’s judgement.

 

This could be a disastrous text if we applied a particular spin on it in a simplistic way.

 

As always, we must read the text in context and alongside other texts. The text is “true” and has an important and useful meaning, but we must not read it in a particular way and then totalise or absolutize its meaning and apply it to other contexts unreflectively. We must always say, “this Bible text is obviously correct and relevant to us (we know that: it is the Word of God), but in what sense is what it says true for us and what does it mean in our context?”

 

Any text can be used or abused. And it isn’t hard to see how this text could be license for the most unaccountable maverick self-indulgent and frankly dangerous off the rails ministry practices – even potentially for illegality.

 

One might say Paul was an Apostle. Quite right. He was uniquely called and authorised by Christ compared to ministers today. But even this doesn’t “solve” the issue as we know that Paul held Peter publicly accountable for his conduct. Even the Apostles did not, or should not, act as they please and say, “O, God alone can judge me: I am the Authorised Ambassador of Christ, don’t you know!” The Apostles were not perfect and infallible and they knew it. They were open to learning from others.

 

So if there are some things the Bible text does not mean, what does it mean?

 

The broad thrust in context is clear, true and useful, I think.

 

Christian leaders (and indeed all believers) are ultimately responsible to God alone. God is the ultimate judge. It is vanishingly unlikely, but it is possible that God will be true and every man a liar and that it will be you against the world. If this seems to be the case, it should give you serious cause, but it might just feel as if all your circle think you are mad. You should still do the right thing. Though of course your conscience might need educating.

 

We can see the particular relevance of saying all this in 1 Corinthians 4 if there is a temptation for charismatic leaders to win a following for themselves by their worldly wisdom, learned rhetoric or supposed power. In the context of division and factions with groups seeking to attach themselves to impressive or influential patrons, what Paul says makes perfect sense.

 

You are called by Christ. Responsible to Christ. Ministry is not a popularity contest. We are not holding a referendum on the Word of God.

 

It obviously does not mean that leaders (or anyone else) should fail to listen to others, or follow rules, or can never be held accountable to any human standards or tribunals. Not least, Paul’s whole argument is a correction, a rebuke, a warning, a call to repentance and reform, to conform ourselves to the cross of Christ and the counter-cultural wisdom of God which has us on display as the scum of the earth, called to humble self-sacrificial service, not arrogantly grandstanding and asserting our independence or untouchability.