1 Corinthians 4

1 As for us Apostles, let any one take this view of us--we are Christ's officers, and stewards of God's secret truths.

LET a man so account of us, as the under servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2 This being so, it follows that fidelity is what is required in stewards.

Moreover it is expected of stewards, that a man be found faithful.

3 I however am very little concerned at undergoing your scrutiny, or that of other men; in fact I do not even scrutinize myself.

But it is my least consideration that I should be judged by you, or by human opinion: yea I decide not respecting myself.

4 Though I am not conscious of having been in any way unfaithful, yet I do not for that reason stand acquitted; but He whose scrutiny I must undergo is the Lord.

For though I am not conscious to myself of any unfaithfulness, yet am I not thereby justified; but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

5 Therefore form no premature judgements, but wait until the Lord returns. He will both bring to light the secrets of darkness and will openly disclose the motives that have been in people's hearts; and then the praise which each man deserves will come to him from God.

Wherefore judge nothing before the time until the Lord come, who also will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will manifest the counsels of men’s hearts; and then shall praise be given to each from God.

6 In writing this much, brethren, with special reference to Apollos and myself, I have done so for your sakes, in order to teach you by our example what those words mean, which say, "Nothing beyond what is written!" --so that you may cease to take sides in boastful rivalry, for one teacher against another.

But these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself, and Apollos for your sake; that in us ye might learn not to be attached, beyond what is written, lest one being for one minister, ye be puffed up with prejudice against another.

7 Why, who gives you your superiority, my brother? Or what have you that you did not receive? And if you really did receive it, why boast as if this were not so?

For who distinguisheth thee? and what hast thou which thou hast not received? But if thou also hast received it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

8 Every one of you already has all that heart can desire; already you have grown rich; without waiting for us, you have ascended your thrones! Yes indeed, would to God that you had ascended your thrones, that we also might reign with you!

Now ye are full, now ye have grown rich, ye have reigned without us: and I wish indeed that you may reign, that we also might reign together with you.

9 God, it seems to me, has exhibited us Apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; for we have come to be a spectacle to all creation--alike to angels and to men.

For I think that God hath exposed us his apostles the last as devoted unto death. For we have been made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men.

10 We, for Christ's sake, are labeled as "foolish"; you, as Christians, are men of shrewd intelligence. We are mere weaklings: you are strong. You are in high repute: we are outcasts.

We are counted fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are mighty; ye are honourable persons, but we despised.

11 To this very moment we endure both hunger and thirst, with scanty clothing and many a blow.

For even to this present hour we undergo hunger and thirst and nakedness, and are buffeted about, and have no settled abode;

12 Homes we have none. Wearily we toil, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we bear it patiently;

and work hard, labouring with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it;

13 when slandered, we try to conciliate. We have come to be regarded as the mere dirt and filth of the world--the refuse of the universe, even to this hour.

being injuriously spoken of, we entreat; we are made as the ordures of the world, as the sweepings of all things unto this day.

14 I am not writing all this to shame you, but I am offering you advice as my dearly-loved children.

I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I admonish you.

15 For even if you were to have ten thousand spiritual instructors--for all that you could not have several fathers. It is I who in Christ Jesus became your father through the Good News.

For though ye may have ten thousand teachers in Christ, yet not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus through the Gospel I have begotten you.

16 I entreat you therefore to become like me.

Now I conjure you, be followers of me.

17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you. Spiritually he is my dearly-loved and faithful child. He will remind you of my habits as a Christian teacher--the manner in which I teach everywhere in every Church.

For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my son beloved and faithful in Christ, who will remind you of my ways which are in Christ Jesus, as I teach every where in every church.

18 But some of you have been puffed up through getting the idea that I am not coming to Corinth.

Now some are puffed up, as though I would not really come to you.

19 But, if the Lord is willing, I shall come to you without delay; and then I shall know not the fine speeches of these conceited people, but their power.

But I will come shortly unto you, if the Lord please, and will know, not the prating of them that are puffed up, but the power.

20 For Apostolic authority is not a thing of words, but of power.

For the kingdom of God is not in talk, but in power.

21 Which shall it be? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in a loving and tender spirit?

What is your wish? That I should come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?