Do we follow men or want them to follow us? 1 Corinthians 4-5

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 (NASBStr)

 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

The times and culture in the Corinthian day were quite similar today.  As in our day, the "leaders" of the world of religion and thought were honored and glorified.   The names of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and others would have been house-hold names.   The glorification of man and the "wisdom" (little "w") of men, was as it is today, but with the vast amount of publication and blogs.   Becoming a follower of any such man meant prestige and, perhaps, privilege.   In the city of Corinth there were twelve temples built.   The Temple of Apollo being the chief of them.   And, like today, the church at Corinth was very much influenced by their culture and lead astray by the evilness of the day.   In the above passage Paul is instructing them in regard to his position in the church, as well as others (i.e. Apollos).  The church was in the middle of a division with some claiming Paul's allegiance and others to Apollos (see chapter three).   Paul wants them to know that as an apostle he was but a servant and would be judged solely by God on the basis of faithfulness, not following.   He refused, in this book and others, to be judged by men or to be in a position of soliciting men to follow HIM.   Read a similar thought he wrote earlier to the churches in Galatia:

Galatians 1:10 (NASBStr)

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond- servant of Christ.

Paul knew how the culture was compelling the members of the Body to follow after someone.   Paul had no objection to that ... as long as the Someone was Christ and not him or Apollos, or anyone else.   He would not even judge himself (great advice for us all) as to his place in history or the church.   He would wait until Christ returns, who would judge not only the visual actions of men, but the hidden motives behind those actions.   We would do wise to hear Paul's words and not allow ourselves to falsely follow a mere man or men; or worse, allow men to follow us and judge us to be something other than the dust we are.   Paul states that even IF he examines himself and finds nothing, that does not "acquit" him.   He, too, will wait for The Lord to judge him.   In the end, we do not seek the praise of men, but the praise of God.  "Were we faithful," that will be the only question to ask.