1 Corinthians 4

1This is how people should regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2Now what is required of stewards is that they be found faithful.

3As for me, it matters very little 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 that does not make me justified. It is the Lord who judges me.

5So do not pass judgment on anything before the time, before the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his praise from God.

6I have applied all this to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers and sisters, so that you may learn from us the meaning of “Nothing beyond what is written,” so that none of you will be puffed up in favor of one person against another.

7For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

8Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! How I wish you really were kings, so that we could also reign with you!

9For I think that God has put us apostles on display last of all, like people condemned to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to human beings.

10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.

11To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are beaten, and we have no home.

12We work hard, laboring with our own hands. When we are insulted, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;

13when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things, even until now.

14I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children.

15For even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

16So I urge you, be imitators of me.

17That is why I have sent Timothy to you, who is my dear and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach them everywhere in every church.

18Some of you have become puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.

19But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and then I will find out not what these puffed-up people are saying but what power they have.

20For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

21Which do you want? Should I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?