歌林多前書 4
基督的使徒遭人輕視
1 這樣，人應該把我們看作基督的僕人， 神奧祕的事的管家。2 對於管家的要求，就是要他忠心。3 我被你們論斷，或被人間法庭審判，我都認為是極小的事，連我自己也不論斷自己。4 我雖然問心無愧，卻不能因此自以為義，因為判斷我的是主。
5 所以時候還沒有到，你們不要批評，直等到主來；他要照出黑暗中的隱情，顯明人心裡的動機。那時，各人要從 神那裡得著稱讚。
6 弟兄們，我為你們的緣故，拿了這些事來比擬自己和亞波羅，讓你們在我們身上學到的，不會超過聖經所記的，免得你們中間有人自高自大，看重這個輕視那個。7 使你與人不同的是誰呢？你有甚麼不是領受的呢？既然是領受的，為甚麼要自誇，好像不是領受的呢？8 你們已經滿足了，已經豐富了，不需要我們，自己作王了。我恨不得你們真的作了王，讓我們也可以跟你們一同作王！9 我想 神是把我們作使徒的列在最後，好像定了死刑的人，因為我們成了一臺戲給宇宙觀看，就是給天使和世人觀看！10 我們為基督的緣故，成了愚笨的；你們在基督裡，倒成了聰明的。我們軟弱，你們倒強壯；你們受人尊敬，我們倒被輕視。11 直到現在，我們還是又飢又渴，衣不蔽體，又挨打，又沒有棲身的地方，12 並且勞苦，親手作工。被人咒罵，我們就祝福；遭受迫害，我們就忍受；
13 被人毀謗，我們卻好好地勸導；直到現在，人還是把我們當作世上的垃圾，萬物的渣滓。
14 我寫這些話，不是要叫你們羞愧，而是把你們當作我親愛的兒女一樣勸戒你們。15 縱然你們在基督裡有上萬的?蒙教師，可是父親卻不多，因為是我在基督耶穌裡藉著福音生了你們。16 所以我勸你們要效法我。17 因此，我打發提摩太到你們那裡去。他是我在主裡親愛又忠心的兒子，他要提醒你們我在基督裡是怎樣行事為人，正如我在各處教會中所教導的一樣。18 有人以為我不會到你們那裡去，就自高自大。19 然而主若願意，我很快就要到你們那裡去；到時我要知道的，不是那些自高自大的人所講的，而是他們的能力。20 因為 神的國不在乎言語，而在乎權能。
21 你們願意怎麼樣呢？要我帶著刑杖到你們那裡去，還是以溫柔的靈，帶著愛心去呢？
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?
