哥林多前书 4

基督的使徒

1 因此，人应该把我们当作是基督的仆人，是上帝奥秘之事的管家。2 对管家的要求是忠心。3 我对你们或别人给我的评价毫不介意，我也不评价我自己。4 就算我今日问心无愧，也不能自以为义，因为评价我的是主。5 所以，时候未到，不可妄下断语。到主耶稣再来的时候，祂会揭开暗中的隐情，使人心里的动机显露。到时候上帝会给各人应得的称赞。

6 弟兄姊妺，为了你们的益处，我以亚波罗和自己作例子，好让你们效法我们不越过圣经的准则，免得有人自高自大、厚此薄彼。7 谁使你与众不同呢？你有哪一样不是领受的呢？既然一切都是领受的，你为什么还自夸，好像不是领受的？8 你们已经饱足了，富有了，不需要我们，自己已经做王了。我倒希望你们真的能做王，好让我们也和你们一同做王。9 我想，上帝把我们使徒排在队伍的末尾，好像被判了死罪的囚犯，让我们成了一台戏，给全宇宙看，就是给世人和天使观看。

10 我们为了基督的缘故被人看为愚昧，你们在基督里倒成了聪明人；我们软弱，你们倒强壮；你们受人尊敬，我们倒被人藐视。11 我们至今还是又饥又渴，衣不蔽体，遭受毒打，居无定所，12 还要亲手劳作。我们被人咒骂，就为对方祝福；受人迫害，就逆来顺受；13 被人毁谤，就好言相劝。人们至今仍将我们看作世上的废物，万物中的渣滓。

14 我之所以写这些事，并非是叫你们羞愧，而是像劝诫我亲爱的儿女一样劝诫你们。15 虽然有千万老师将基督的事教导你们，但父亲并不多，因为我借着福音在基督耶稣里成为你们的父亲。16 所以，我劝你们效法我。17 正因如此，我派了提摩太去你们那里。他在主里忠心耿耿，是我所爱的孩子。他会提醒你们我在基督里如何行事为人，在各地、各教会如何教导人。

18 你们当中有些人以为我不会再去你们那里，就傲慢自大起来。19 但主若许可，我会很快去你们那里。那时我要看看这些骄傲的人究竟是只会空谈，还是真有上帝的权能。20 因为上帝的国不在于空谈，而在于权能。21 到底你们要什么呢？要我带着刑杖去呢？还是要我带着温柔慈爱的心去呢？

1 Corinthians 4

The Apostles’ Ministry

1 Onet should think about us this way – as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.2 Now what is sought in stewards is that one be found faithful.3 So 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 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not acquitted because of this. The one who judges me is the Lord.

5 So then, do not judge anything before the time. Wait until the Lord comes. He willt bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the motives of hearts. Then each will receive recognitiont from God.
6 I have applied these things to myself and Apollos because of you, brothers and sisters,t 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.7 For 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?8 Already 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!9 For, 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.10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, we are dishonored!11 To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, brutally treated, and without a roof over our heads.12 We do hard work, toiling with our own hands. When we are verbally abused, we respond with a blessing, when persecuted, we endure,

13 when people lie about us, we answer in a friendly manner. We are the world’s dirt and scum, even now.

A Father’s Warning

14 I am not writing these things to shame you, but to correct you as my dear children.15 For 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.16 I encourage you, then, be imitators of me.17 For 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,s as I teach them everywhere in every church.18 Some have become arrogant,t as if I were not coming to you.19 But 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.20 For the kingdom of God is demonstrated not in idle talk but with power.

21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod of disciplinets or with love and a spirit of gentleness?