1 Corinthians 4:1-13 ▼

1 Let each one so think of us as ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2 Now it is required in stewards, that each one be found faithful.

3 But with me, it matters very little, that I should be judged by you, or by the judgment of men: indeed, I do not judge myself.

4 For, though I am conscious of no wrong, yet by this I am not justified: but he that judges me is the Lord.

5 So, then, judge nothing be fore the time, till the Lord comes, who will bring to light the secret works of darkness, and will also make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall each have his praise from God.

6 And these things, brethren, I have, in figure, applied to myself and Apollos, for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think more of teachers than what has been written; and that no one of you be vain of one to the injury of another.

7 For who gave you distinction, as a teacher ? And what have you as a teacher , that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast, as if you had not received it?

8 You, Corinthians, are already full; you are already rich; you have reigned as kings independently of us. And that you did indeed reign, that we also might reign with you!

9 For I think that God has appointed us the apostles, to the lowest place, as under sentence of death; for we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.

10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honored, but we are despised.

11 Even to this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are poorly clothed, and are maltreated, and wander about without a home,

12 and labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;

13 when defamed, we entreat; we have become like the outcasts of the world, the offscouring of all things to this day.