Stewards of the Mysteries of God
1 Let a man so consider us, asservants of Christand stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring tolight the hidden things of darkness andreveal the counsels of the hearts.Then each one’s praise will come from God.
Fools for Christ’s Sake
6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
7 For who makes you differfromanother?Andwhat do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receiveit,why do you boast as if you had not receivedit?
8 You are already full!You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you!
9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made aspectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.
10 Wearefools for Christ’s sake, but youarewise in Christ!Weareweak, but youarestrong! Youaredistinguished, but wearedishonored!
11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.
12 And we labor, working with our own hands.Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;
13 being defamed, we entreat.We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
Paul’s Paternal Care
14 I do not write these things to shame you, butas my beloved children I warnyou.
15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yetyoudonothavemany fathers; forin Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16 Therefore I urge you,imitate me.
17 For this reason I have sentTimothy to you,who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who willremind you of my ways in Christ, as Iteach everywherein every church.
18 Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.
19 But I will come to you shortly,if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.
20 Forthe kingdom of Godisnot in word but inpower.
21 What do you want?Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?