1 Corinthians 4
The Ministry of Apostles
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and astewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 aFor I am not aware of anything against myself, bbut I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore ado not pronounce judgment before the time, bbefore the Lord comes, cwho will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. dThen each one will receive his commendation from God.
6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may abe puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? aWhat do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, alike men sentenced to death, because we bhave become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 aWe are fools for Christ’s sake, but byou are wise in Christ. cWe are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour awe hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and bbuffeted and chomeless, 12 and we alabor, working with our own hands. bWhen reviled, we bless; cwhen persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. aWe have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, bthe refuse of all things.
14 I do not write these things ato make you ashamed, but to admonish you bas my beloved children. 15 For athough you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For bI became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 I urge you, then, abe imitators of me. 17 That is why aI sent you Timothy, bmy beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, cas I teach them everywhere in every church. 18 Some are aarrogant, bas though I were not coming to you. 19 But aI will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For athe kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? aShall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway,
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.