1 Corinthians 4

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The true character of gospel ministers

Let us be judged as servants of Christ, and as those who are responsible for the secret things of God. Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
And it is right for such servants to be safe persons. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
But it is a small thing to me that I am judged by you or by man's judging; I am not even a judge of myself. 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.
For I am not conscious of any wrong in myself; but this does not make me clear, for it is the Lord who is my judge. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
For this reason let there be no judging before the time, till the Lord comes, who will make clear the secret things of the dark, and the designs of the heart; and then will every man have his praise from God. 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.
My brothers, it is because of you that I have taken Apollos and myself as examples of these things, so that in us you might see that it is not wise to go farther than what is in the holy Writings, so that no one of you may be lifted up against his brother. 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.

Gives warning against despising the apostle

For who made you better than your brother? or what have you that has not been given to you? but if it has been given to you, what cause have you for pride, as if it had not been given to you? 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?
For even now you are full, even now you have wealth, you have been made kings without us: truly, I would be glad if you were kings, so that we might be kings with you. 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.
For it seems to me that God has put us the Apostles last of all, as men whose fate is death: for we are put on view to the world, and to angels, and to men. 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.
We are made to seem foolish for Christ, but you are wise in Christ; we are feeble, but you are strong; you have glory, but we have shame. 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.
Even to this hour we are without food, drink, and clothing, we are given blows and have no certain resting-place; Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
And with our hands we do the hardest work: when they give us curses we give blessings, when we undergo punishment we take it quietly; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
When evil things are said about us we give gentle answers: we are made as the unclean things of the world, as that for which no one has any use, even till now. Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

He claims their regard as their spiritual father in Christ, and makes clear his concern for them

I am not saying these things to put you to shame, but so that, as my dear children, you may see what is right. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
For even if you had ten thousand teachers in Christ, you have not more than one father: for in Christ Jesus I have given birth to you through the good news. 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.
So my desire is that you take me as your example. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
For this cause I have sent Timothy to you, who is my dear and true child in the Lord; he will make clear to you my ways in Christ, even as I am teaching everywhere in every church. 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.
Now some are full of pride, as if I was not coming to you. Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
But I will come to you in a short time, if it is pleasing to the Lord, and I will take note, not of the word of those who are full of pride, but of the power. 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.
For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
What is your desire? is my coming to be with punishment, or is it to be in love and a gentle spirit? What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
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