1 Corinthians 4

1 This is how a person should count us: as attendants of Christ and managers of God’s secrets. [a] 2 Here, then, what is looked for in managers is that one be found faithful. 3 But to me it is a very small thing that I should be examined by you, or by a human day; but neither do I examine myself. [c] 4 For I am aware of nothing against myself, but I am not set right by this; the one who examines me is the Lord. [d] † 5 So do not judge anything before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of the darkness and make plain the purposes of the hearts; and then the praise will come to each from God.

6 Now these things, brothers, I have applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn the “Nothing beyond what is written,” so that you may not be puffed up, one for the one against the other. [e] 7 For who distinguishes you? And what do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you had not received it? [g]

8 Already you have had your fill! Already you have grown rich! Without us you came to reign! And I do wish you had come to reign, so that we also might reign with you. 9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on show last of all, as men under sentence of death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to messengers and to people. [h] 10 We are foolish for Christ’s sake, but you are discerning in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are held in honor, but we are without honor.

11 Up to this present hour we both hunger and thirst and are ill-clothed and are struck with fists and have no settled place, [j] 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we bear it; 13 when slandered, we appeal. We have become like the scum of the world, the scrapings of everything, right up to now. [k]

14 I am not writing these things to shame you, but warning you as my beloved children; 15 for even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, yet not many fathers — for in Christ Jesus I fathered you through the good news. [l] 16 So I urge you, become imitators of me. 17 For this reason I sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every gathering. [m]

18 Now some have become puffed up, as though I were not coming to you; 19 but I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will know not the speech of those who are puffed up but the power; 20 for the kingdom of God is not in speech but in power. 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness? [n]