^4:1One¹ should think about us this way—as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. ^4:2Now what is sought in stewards is that one be found faithful. ^4:3So for me, it is a minor matter that I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. ^4:4For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not acquitted because of this. The one who judges me is the Lord. ^4:5So then, do not judge anything before the time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will² bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the motives of hearts. Then each will receive recognition³ from God.

^4:6I have applied these things to myself and Apollos because of you, brothers and sisters,⁴ so that through us you may learn “not to go beyond what is written,” so that none of you will be puffed up in favor of the one against the other. ^4:7For who concedes you any superiority? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as though you did not? ^4:8Already you are satisfied! Already you are rich! You have become kings without us! I wish you had become kings so that we could reign with you! ^4:9For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to die, because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. ^4:10We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, we are dishonored! ^4:11To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, brutally treated, and without a roof over our heads. ^4:12We do hard work, toiling with our own hands. When we are verbally abused, we respond with a blessing, when persecuted, we endure, ^4:13when people lie about us, we answer in a friendly manner. We are the world’s dirt and scum, even now.

A Father’s Warning

^4:14I am not writing these things to shame you, but to correct you as my dear children. ^4:15For though you may have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, because I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. ^4:16I encourage you, then, be imitators of me. ^4:17For this reason, I have sent Timothy to you, who is my dear and faithful son in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways in Christ,⁵ as I teach them everywhere in every church. ^4:18Some have become arrogant,⁶ as if I were not coming to you. ^4:19But I will come to you soon, if the Lord is willing, and I will find out not only the talk of these arrogant people, but also their power. ^4:20For the kingdom of God is demonstrated not in idle talk but with power. ^4:21What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline⁷ or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

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Footnotes

1 Here ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) is both indefinite and general, “one”; “a person” ( 4.a.γ).
2 Grk “time, until the Lord comes, who will bring to light.”
3 Or “praise.”
4 Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in .
5 Several important read Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou, “Jesus”) after Χριστῷ (Christō, “Christ”) in v. 17 (so 𝔓46 א C D1 33 1739 ). Western have κυρίῳ Ἰησοῦ (kuriō Iēsou, “Lord Jesus”; D* F G), while several significant , as well as the majority, have only Χριστῷ here (A B D2 Ψ 𝔐 sa). Once Ἰησοῦ got into the text, it would continue to be copied. There is however no easy explanation for the word lacking in so many witnesses. Thus the shorter reading appears to be original. includes Ἰησοῦ in brackets, indicating doubt as to its authenticity.
6 Grk “puffed up”; “inflated.”
7 Grk “rod.” Context indicates that this rod will be used for disciplinary purposes. Paul is using the term rod in this context to refer to his apostolic authority to discipline those who have become arrogant in the Corinthian church and have attempted to undermine his ministry (cf. 4:18–19).