I Corinthians 4
4
Stewards of the Mysteries of God
1Let a man so consider us, as #Matt. 24:45; Rom. 13:6; 2 Cor. 3:6; Col. 1:25servants of Christ #Luke 12:42; 1 Cor. 9:17; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 4:10and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5#Matt. 7:1; Rom. 2:1; (Rev. 20:12)Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to #Matt. 10:26light the hidden things of darkness and #1 Cor. 3:13reveal the counsels of the hearts. #Rom. 2:29; 1 Cor. 3:8; (2 Cor. 5:10)Then each one’s praise will come from God.
Fools for Christ’s Sake
6Now 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 puffed up on behalf of one against the other. 7For who makes you differ from another? And #John 3:27; Rom. 12:3, 6; 1 Pet. 4:10what 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?
8You are already full! #Rev. 3:17You 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! 9For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a #Heb. 10:33spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10We are #Acts 17:18; 26:24; 1 Cor. 1:18fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! #1 Cor. 2:3; 2 Cor. 13:9We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12#Acts 18:3; 20:34And we labor, working with our own hands. #Matt. 5:44Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13being defamed, we entreat. #Lam. 3:45We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
Paul’s Paternal Care
14I do not write these things to shame you, but #2 Cor. 6:13; 12:14; 1 Thess. 2:11; 1 John 2:1; 3 John 4as my beloved children I warn you. 15For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for #Num. 11:12; Acts 18:11; 1 Cor. 3:8; Gal. 4:19; Philem. 10in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16Therefore I urge you, #(1 Cor. 11:1); Phil. 3:17; 4:9; (1 Thess. 1:6); 2 Thess. 3:9imitate me. 17For this reason I have sent #Acts 19:22; Phil. 2:19Timothy to you, #1 Cor. 4:14; 1 Tim. 1:2, 18; 2 Tim. 1:2who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will #1 Cor. 11:2remind you of my ways in Christ, as I #1 Cor. 7:17; Titus 1:5teach everywhere #1 Cor. 14:33in every church.
18#1 Cor. 5:2Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19#Acts 19:21; 20:2; 1 Cor. 11:34; 16:5, 7–9; 2 Cor. 1:15But I will come to you shortly, #Acts 18:21; Heb. 6:3; James 4:15if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20For #1 Thess. 1:5the kingdom of God is not in word but in #1 Cor. 2:4power. 21What do you want? #2 Cor. 10:2Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
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I Corinthians 4: NKJV
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
1 Corinthians 4
4
The Work of the Apostles
1People should think of us as servants of Christ and managers who are entrusted with God’s mysteries. 2Managers are required to be trustworthy.
3It means very little to me that you or any human court should cross-examine me. I don’t even ask myself questions. 4I have a clear conscience, but that doesn’t mean I have God’s approval. It is the Lord who cross-examines me. 5Therefore, 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.
6Brothers 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.
7Who 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?
8You 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.
9As 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. 10We 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. 11To this moment, we are hungry, thirsty, poorly dressed, roughly treated, and homeless. 12We wear ourselves out doing physical labor. When people verbally abuse us, we bless them. When people persecute us, we endure it. 13When 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.
14I’m not writing this to make you feel ashamed but to instruct you as my dear children. 15You 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. 16So I encourage you to imitate me. 17That’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.
18Some of you have become arrogant because you think I won’t pay you a visit. 19If 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. 20God’s kingdom is not just talk, it is power.
21When I come to visit you, would you prefer that I punish you or show you love and a gentle spirit?
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