New Testament · Letters

1 Corinthians chapter 4

So here’s how you should think of us: as of and people with God’s .Now, the one thing required of someone who’s been entrusted with something is that they prove .But for me, it matters very little if I’m by you or by any . I don’t even evaluate myself.My is clear, but that doesn’t mean I’ve been . The one who evaluates me is the Lord.So don’t on anything before the right time — wait until the Lord comes. He’ll bring what’s hidden in the dark into the light and expose what people really . And then each person will receive their from God.Now, brothers and sisters, I’ve applied all of this to myself and for your benefit, so you can learn from us the meaning of “.” That way, none of you will be in favor of one leader against another.Who says you’re better than anyone else? What do you have that you didn’t receive as a gift? And if you received it, why do you brag as though you earned it yourself?Already you have everything you want! Already you’ve become rich! You’ve started — and without us! I really wish you had started ruling, so we could rule alongside you.Because it seems to me that God has put us on display at the very — like prisoners sentenced to death in the arena. We’ve become a for the whole universe to watch, both angels and humans.We are for The One, but you are so wise in The One. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are looked down on.Right up to this very moment we go hungry and thirsty. We’re poorly clothed, , and have .We . When people curse us, we for them. When we’re persecuted, we endure it.When we’re slandered, we respond gently. We’ve been treated like the , the — and it’s still that way right now.I’m not writing this to make you feel ashamed. I’m writing as a father would — to lovingly set his straight.Because even if you had ten thousand in The One, you don’t have many fathers. I became your father through The One Jesus when I brought you the .So I’m urging you: .That’s exactly why I’ve sent to you. He’s my child in the Lord — someone I love and trust completely. He’ll remind you of how I live my life in The One Jesus, the same way I teach everywhere in every .Some of you have gotten , as if I wasn’t actually coming to see you.But I will come to you soon — if the Lord is willing — and then I’ll find out not just what these arrogant people are saying, but what kind of they actually have.Because the isn’t about talk — it’s about power.What do you want? Should I come to you with a , or with love and a ?