1Corinthians:4

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Seeker Overlay ON

* As for us Apostles , let any one take this view of us –we are Christ 's officers , and stewards of God 's secret truths . * This being so , it follows that fidelity is what is required in stewards . * I however am very little concerned at undergoing your scrutiny , or that of other men ; in fact I do not even scrutinize myself . * Though I am not conscious of having been in any way unfaithful , yet I do not for that reason stand acquitted ; but He whose scrutiny I must undergo is the Lord . * Therefore form no premature judgements , but wait until the Lord returns . He will both bring to light the secrets of darkness and will openly disclose the motives that have been in people 's hearts ; and then the praise which each man deserves will come to him from God . * In writing this much , brethren , with special reference to Apollos and myself , I have done so for your sakes , in order to teach you by our example what those words mean , which say , »Nothing beyond what is written !« –so that you may cease to take sides in boastful rivalry , for one teacher against another . * Why , who gives you your superiority , my brother ? Or what have you that you did not receive ? And if you really did receive it , why boast as if this were not so ? * Every one of you already has all that heart can desire ; already you have grown rich ; without waiting for us , you have ascended your thrones ! Yes indeed , would to God that you had ascended your thrones , that we also might reign with you ! * God , it seems to me , has exhibited us Apostles last of all , as men condemned to death ; for we have come to be a spectacle to all creation –alike to angels and to men . * We , for Christ 's sake , are labeled as »foolish «; you , as Christians , are men of shrewd intelligence . We are mere weaklings : you are strong . You are in high repute : we are outcasts . * To this very moment we endure both hunger and thirst , with scanty clothing and many a blow . * Homes we have none . Wearily we toil , working with our own hands . When reviled , we bless ; when persecuted , we bear it patiently ; * when slandered , we try to conciliate . We have come to be regarded as the mere dirt and filth of the world –the refuse of the universe , even to this hour . * I am not writing all this to shame you , but I am offering you advice as my dearly-loved children . * For even if you were to have ten thousand spiritual instructors –for all that you could not have several fathers . It is I who in Christ Jesus became your father through the Good News . * I entreat you therefore to become like me . * For this reason I have sent Timothy to you . Spiritually he is my dearly-loved and faithful child . He will remind you of my habits as a Christian teacher –the manner in which I teach everywhere in every Church . * But some of you have been puffed up through getting the idea that I am not coming to Corinth . * But , if the Lord is willing , I shall come to you without delay ; and then I shall know not the fine speeches of these conceited people , but their power . * For Apostolic authority is not a thing of words , but of power . * Which shall it be ? Shall I come to you with a rod , or in a loving and tender spirit ?

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