Note 1 at 1 Cor. 4:1: In an effort to stop the division among the Corinthians over what man they should follow, Paul had discredited putting faith in the men that God used to deliver the message. They were only the "delivery boy." That might lead some to criticize Paul, saying he was trying to sidestep responsibility. He deals with that issue here.

A minister is responsible to God as a steward (see ref. d at this verse). That means he is not the master, and he does not get the glory for carrying out the instructions of the master. But he is responsible, and he does have to give account of his actions. Likewise, a minister must be faithful and has to give an account. But to whom?

In verse three, Paul makes it very clear that the Corinthians were not his judge. He didn't even judge his own self (see note 2 at 1 Cor. 4:3, p. 876). Verse four says that God was Paul's judge.

Paul is establishing the rules of accountability for ministers. They are not accountable to the people they minister to. They have to answer directly to God.

Most people can't understand this. They think that surely the body of believers must have some role to play in the correction of wayward ministers. They do indirectly. But God has not given the authority to any group or individual member of a church to go and correct their pastor.

A minister should voluntarily surround himself with peers who he submits to and to whom he gives the authority to speak words of correction into his life. Some denominations accomplish this by having a bishop, superintendent, or other spiritual leadership who exercises authority over ministers who are licensed with them. But this denominational system as it exists today goes far beyond voluntary intervention and influence. Most churches and denominations are set up where they can fire a minister.

No one has absolute authority over a minister except God. Therefore, scripturally, you can't kick a minister out of a church or denomination. That's what Paul is saying here. What these Corinthians thought of him doesn't affect him. God was his judge.

That might lead some people to fear that we, as those who are being ministered to, have no recourse in dealing with a minister. That's not so. We do have a very effective method of reproving a minister. It's just a different method than most people employ.

In Revelations 2:5, the Lord spoke to the pastor at Ephesus and told him to repent or he would come and remove the body of believers out from under him (Rev. 1:20 with 2:5). The recourse that individual members of the body of Christ have against a minister who is in error is to leave or quit listening to that minister. This is very effective.

A pastor who loses all his members, loses all his authority. He is reduced to nothing. Anyone who has had even a casual knowledge of ministers and how they think will know that most ministers, especially carnal ones who are causing trouble, are very moved by how people respond to them. A exodus of members will get his attention.

This, of course, is not encouraging church splits and the like. The first thing that should always be done is to try and reconcile any differences (see note 5 at Mt. 8:17, p. 277). It may not be the minister who has the problem or there may just be a misunderstanding. Every attempt to walk in unity should be attempted. But if it comes to a situation where a minister is persistent in gross error, just leave.

This could be illustrated through an employer/employee relationship. An employee does not have the authority to rebuke or fire an employer. A good employer will have some system to allow employees to air a grievance, but it really is voluntary. If the boss refuses to change, the only real course of action for the employee is to leave. Likewise, a church member who feels that their differences with the pastor are irreconcilable should leave.

It really is a lack of faith to think that God can not deal with a disobedient minister without us helping us out. The Lord can bring anyone to their knees (Dan. 4).