1 Corinthians 4:1 – 4:21

  1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
  2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
  3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
  4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
  5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
  6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and [to] Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think [of men] above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
  7 For who maketh thee to differ [from another]? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive [it], why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received [it]?
  8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
  9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
  10 We [are] fools for Christ’s sake, but ye [are] wise in Christ; we [are] weak, but ye [are] strong; ye [are] honourable, but we [are] despised.
  11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
  12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
  13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, [and are] the offscouring of all things unto this day.
  14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn [you].
  15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
  16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
  17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
  18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
  19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
  20 For the kingdom of God [is] not in word, but in power.
  21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and [in] the spirit of meekness?