1 Corinthians 4

THE FAITHFUL MANAGER

4A person should think of us in this way: as servants^p of Christ and managers^q of the mysteries of God.^{r 2}In this regard, it is required that managers be found faithful.^{s 3}It is of little^t importance to me that I should be judged^u by you or by any human court.^B In fact, I don’t even judge myself. ⁴For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified^v by this. It is the Lord who judges me. ⁵So don’t judge^w anything prematurely, before the Lord comes,^x who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.^y

THE APOSTLES’ EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY

⁶Now, brothers and sisters,^z I have applied these things to myself and Apollos^aa for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying: “Nothing beyond what is written.” The purpose is that none of you will be arrogant, favoring one person over another. ⁷For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn’t received it? ⁸You are already full! You are already rich! You have begun to reign as kings without us—and I wish you did reign, so that we could also reign with you! ⁹For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, in last place, like men condemned to die: We have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. ¹⁰We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ!^ab We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! ¹¹Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless; ¹²we labor, working^ac with our own hands.^ad When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; ¹³when we are slandered, we respond graciously. Even now, we are like the scum of the earth, like everyone’s garbage.^ae

PAUL’S FATHERLY CARE

¹⁴I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children.^{af 15}For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. For I became your father^ag in Christ Jesus through the gospel. ¹⁶Therefore I urge you to imitate me. ¹⁷This is why I have sent^ah Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved and faithful^ai child in the Lord. He will remind you about my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every church.

¹⁸Now some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. ¹⁹But I will come to you soon,^aj if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk, but the power of those who are arrogant. ²⁰For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. ²¹What do you want? Should I come to you with a rod,^ak or in love and a spirit of gentleness?^al