04:01 .. Let a man regard us in this manner .. as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God 04:02 .. In this case .. moreover .. it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy 04:03 .. but to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you .. or by any human court .. ......... in fact .. I do not even examine myself 04:04 .. for I am conscious of nothing against myself .. yet I am not by this acquitted .. but the one who examines me is the Lord 04:05 .. therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time .. but wait until the Lord comes who will ......... both bring to light the things hidden in the ......... darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts .. and then each man’s praise will come to him from God
04:06 .. now these things .. brethren .. I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes .. ......... so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written .. ......... so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other 04:07 .. for who regards you as superior .. what do you have that you did not receive .. and if you did receive it .. ......... why do you boast as if you had not received it 04:08 .. you are already filled .. you have already become rich .. you have become kings without us .. and indeed .. ......... I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you 04:09 .. for .. I think .. God has exhibited us apostles last of all .. as men condemned to death .. because we have become a spectacle to the world .. ......... both to angels and to men 04:10 .. we are fools for Christ’s sake .. but byou are prudent in Christ .. we are weak .. but you are strong .. you are distinguished .. ......... but we are without honor 04:11 .. to this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty .. and are poorly clothed .. and are roughly treated .. ......... and are homeless 04:12 .. and we toil .. working with our own hands .. when we are reviled .. we bless .. when we are persecuted .. we endure 04:13 .. when we are slandered .. we try to conciliate .. we have become as the scum of the world .. ......... the dregs of all things .. even until now
04:14 .. I do not write these things to shame you .. but to admonish you as my beloved children 04:15 .. for if you were to have countless tutors in Christ .. yet you would not have many fathers .. ......... for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel 04:16 .. therefore I exhort you .. be imitators of me 04:17 .. for this reason I have sent to you Timothy .. who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord .. ......... and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ .. ......... just as I teach everywhere in every church 04:18 .. now some have become arrogant .. as though I were not coming to you 04:19 .. but I will come to you soon .. if the Lord wills .. and I shall find out .. not the words of those who are arrogant but their power 04:20 .. for the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power 04:21 .. what do you desire .. shall I come to you with a rod .. or with love and a spirit of gentleness
God’s steward awaits no Judgment of man .. but stands or falls by his Master’s judgment .. his standard being fidelity to God .. not popularity with men