1 Corinthians Chapter 4 (NIV)
undefined
Apostles of ChristSo then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.
undefined
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
undefined
I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.
undefined
My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
undefined
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
undefined
Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.
undefined
For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
undefined
Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings—and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you!
undefined
For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men.
undefined
We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!
undefined
To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.
undefined
We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
undefined
when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
undefined
I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children.
undefined
Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
undefined
Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
undefined
For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
undefined
Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
undefined
But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.
undefined
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
undefined
What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
Deepen Your Study
Use AI-powered tools to understand this passage better
Ask AI About This Chapter Search Related Verses