Servants of Christ
1 So let people think of us as Christ’s servants and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Now what is required of stewards is that they are found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing for me, that I should be judged by you, or by any man’s judgment. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself. Yet this does not justify me, but the one who judges me is the Lord.
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will reveal the motives of hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.
Do Not Be Proud
6 Now in these things, brothers, I have used myself and Apollos as examples for your sake, that through us you might learn not to go beyond what is written, so that none of you would be puffed up against one another. 7 For who makes you different? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
8 You are already full. You have already become rich. You have come to reign without our help. Yes, and I wish that you did reign, that we also might reign with you. 9 For, I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor. 11 Even to this present hour we hunger, thirst, are naked, are beaten, and have no assurance of a place to live. 12 We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure. 13 Being defamed, we entreat. Even now, we are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by everyone.
Paul Warns his Spiritual Children
14 I do not write these things to shame you but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have 10,000 tutors in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Gospel. 16 I beg you therefore, be imitators of me. 17 Because of this I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every assembly.
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 is willing. And I will know, not the talk of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?