1 Corinthians Chapter 4


4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.



4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.



4:3 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.



4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.



4:5 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.



4:6 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.



4:7 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?



4:8 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.



4:9 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.



4:10 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.



4:11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;



4:12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:



4:13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.



4:14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you .



4:15 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.



4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.



4:17 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.



4:18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.



4:19 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.



4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.



4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?