1 Corinthians 4

The Work of the Apostles

1 People should think of us as servants of Christ and managers who are entrusted with God’s mysteries.

2 Managers are required to be trustworthy.
3 It means very little to me that you or any human court should cross-examine me. I don’t even ask myself questions.4 I have a clear conscience, but that doesn’t mean I have God’s approval. It is the Lord who cross-examines me.

5 Therefore, don’t judge anything before the appointed time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will also bring to light what is hidden in the dark and reveal people’s motives. Then each person will receive praise from God.
6 Brothers and sisters, I have applied this to Apollos and myself for your sake. You should learn from us not to go beyond what is written in Scripture. Then you won’t arrogantly place one of us in opposition to the other.7 Who says that you are any better than other people? What do you have that wasn’t given to you? If you were given what you have, why are you bragging as if it weren’t a gift?8 You already have what you want! You’ve already become rich! You’ve become kings without us! I wish you really were kings so that we could be kings with you.9 As I see it, God has placed us apostles last in line, like people condemned to die. We have become a spectacle for people and angels to look at.10 We have given up our wisdom for Christ, but you have insight because of Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.11 To this moment, we are hungry, thirsty, poorly dressed, roughly treated, and homeless.12 We wear ourselves out doing physical labor. When people verbally abuse us, we bless them. When people persecute us, we endure it.

13 When our reputations are attacked, we remain courteous. Right now we have become garbage in the eyes of the world and trash in the sight of all people.
14 I’m not writing this to make you feel ashamed but to instruct you as my dear children.15 You may have countless Christian guardians, but you don’t have many spiritual fathers. I became your father in the Christian life by telling you the Good News about Christ Jesus.16 So I encourage you to imitate me.

17 That’s why I’ve sent Timothy to you to help you remember my Christian way of life as I teach it everywhere in every church. Timothy is my dear child, and he faithfully does the Lord’s work.
18 Some of you have become arrogant because you think I won’t pay you a visit.19 If it’s the Lord’s will, I’ll visit you soon. Then I’ll know what these arrogant people are saying and what power they have.

20 God’s kingdom is not just talk, it is power.
21 When I come to visit you, would you prefer that I punish you or show you love and a gentle spirit?

1 Corinthians 4

1 Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.2 Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.4 For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.5 Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.6 Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other.7 For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?8 Already are ye filled, already ye are become rich, ye have come to reign without us: yea and I would that ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.9 For, I think, God hath set forth us the apostles last of all, as men doomed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, both to angels and men.10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye have glory, but we have dishonor.11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;12 and we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;13 being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, even until now.14 I write not these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.15 For though ye have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel.16 I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me.17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall put you in remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every church.18 Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will; and I will know, not the word of them that are puffed up, but the power.20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?