1 Corinthians 4:1–15

Stewards of the Mysteries of God

4Let a man so consider us, as ^aservants of Christ ^band stewards of the mysteries of God. ²Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. ³But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human ¹court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. ⁴For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. ^5cTherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to ^dlight the hidden things of darkness and ^ereveal the ²counsels of the hearts. ^fThen each one’s praise will come from God.

Fools for Christ’s Sake

⁶Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be ³puffed up on behalf of one against the other. ⁷For who ⁴makes you differ from another? And ^gwhat do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

⁸You are already full! ^hYou are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! ⁹For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a ⁱspectacle ⁵to the world, both to angels and to men. ¹⁰We are ^jfools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! ^kWe are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! ¹¹To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. ^12lAnd we labor, working with our own hands. ^mBeing reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; ¹³being defamed, we ⁶entreat. ⁿWe have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

Paul’s Paternal Care

¹⁴I do not write these things to shame you, but ^oas my beloved children I warn you. ¹⁵For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for ^pin Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.