1 Corinthians 4:1–21
Stewards of the Mysteries of God
4 Let a man so consider us, as aservants of Christ band stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But 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. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 cTherefore 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.
6 Now 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. 7 For 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?
8 You 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! 9 For 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. 10 We 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! 11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 lAnd we labor, working with our own hands. mBeing reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we 6entreat. nWe have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
14 I do not write these things to shame you, but oas my beloved children I warn you. 15 For 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. 16 Therefore I urge you, qimitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent rTimothy to you, swho is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will tremind you of my ways in Christ, as I uteach everywhere vin every church.
18 wNow some are 7puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19 xBut I will come to you shortly, yif the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For zthe kingdom of God is not in word but in apower. 21 What do you want? bShall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?