1 Corinthians 4

Stewards of the Mysteries of God

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 ^aTherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to ^blight the hidden things of darkness and ^creveal the ¹counsels of the hearts. ^dThen each one’s praise will come from God.

Fools for Christ’s Sake

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 ¹puffed up on behalf of one against the other. 7 For who ¹makes you differ from another? And ^awhat 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! ^aYou 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 ^aspectacle ¹to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are ^afools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! ^bWe 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 ^aAnd we labor, working with our own hands. ^bBeing reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we ¹entreat. ^aWe have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

Paul’s Paternal Care

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but ^aas 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 ^ain Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, ^aimitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent ^aTimothy to you, ^bwho is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will ^cremind you of my ways in Christ, as I ^dteach everywhere ^ein every church.
18 ^aNow some are ¹puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19 ^aBut I will come to you shortly, ^bif the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For ^athe kingdom of God is not in word but in ^bpower. 21 What do you want? ^aShall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

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