New King James Version

New Living Translation

Stewards of the Mysteries of God

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Paul’s Relationship with the Corinthians

So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries.

2

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

2

Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.

3

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human [a]court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.

3

As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point.

4

For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.

4

My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.

5

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the [b]counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

5

So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time — before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.

6

Fools for Christ’s Sake

Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be [c]puffed up on behalf of one against the other.

6

Dear brothers and sisters,a I have used Apollos and myself to illustrate what I’ve been saying. If you pay attention to what I have quoted from the Scriptures,b you won’t be proud of one of your leaders at the expense of another.

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For who [d]makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

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For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?

8

You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us — and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you!

8

You think you already have everything you need. You think you are already rich. You have begun to reign in God’s kingdom without us! I wish you really were reigning already, for then we would be reigning with you.

9

For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle [e]to the world, both to angels and to men.

9

Instead, I sometimes think God has put us apostles on display, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade, condemned to die. We have become a spectacle to the entire world — to people and angels alike.

10

We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!

10

Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you claim to be so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honored, but we are ridiculed.

11

To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.

11

Even now we go hungry and thirsty, and we don’t have enough clothes to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home.

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And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

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We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us.

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being defamed, we [f]entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

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We appeal gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world’s garbage, like everybody’s trash — right up to the present moment.

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Paul’s Paternal Care

I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.

14

I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.

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For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

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For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you.

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Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

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So I urge you to imitate me.

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For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

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That’s why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go.

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Now some are [g]puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.

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Some of you have become arrogant, thinking I will not visit you again.

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But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.

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But I will come — and soon — if the Lord lets me, and then I’ll find out whether these arrogant people just give pretentious speeches or whether they really have God’s power.

20

For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

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For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

21

What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

21

Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?

Parallel

New King James Version

New Living Translation

1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 4