1 Corinthians 4

₁This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. ₂Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. ₃But 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. ₄For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. ₅Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

₆I 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 be puffed up in favor of one against another. ₇For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

₈Already 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! ₉For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. ₁₀We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. ₁₁To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, ₁₂and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; ₁₃when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

₁₄I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. ₁₅For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. ₁₆I urge you, then, be imitators of me. ₁₇That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. ₁₈Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. ₁₉But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. ₂₀For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. ₂₁What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?