1 Corinthians
Chapter 4
Ministers of Christ
Let everyone then see us as the servants of Christ and stewards of God’s secret plans.
As stewards, we will be accountable for being faithful.
I don’t mind if you or any human court judge me. I don’t even judge myself;
my conscience doesn’t accuse me of anything. However, that isn’t enough for me to be justified before God— it’s the Lord who judges me.
Therefore, don’t judge before the right time, until the Lord comes. He will reveal what is hidden in darkness and expose the secret thoughts of the heart. Then everyone will receive praise from God.
Brothers and sisters, I have used all this as an example for Apollos and myself to help you learn not to go beyond what is written, so that none of you becomes prideful by favoring one person over another.
How then are you better than others? What do you have that you didn’t receive? And if you did receive it, why are you proud as if you didn’t?
So, you’re already wealthy and satisfied, acting as if you’re kings without us! I wish you truly were kings so we could share in the kingship with you!
It seems to me that God has placed us, the apostles, at the lowest position—almost like condemned to death and as spectacles for the entire world—both for angels and humans.
We are fools for Christ, while you display the wisdom of Christ. We are weak, and you are strong. You are honored, while we are despised.
Until now, we have been hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, and badly treated as we travel from place to place.
We work hard, using our hands. People insult us, and we bless them; they persecute us, and we endure everything.
They speak evil of us, yet our actions are of peace. We have become like the scum of the earth, like the garbage of humankind, until now.
I do not write this to shame you, but to warn you as very dear children.
Because even if you have ten thousand guardians in the Christian life, you only have one father, and it was I who gave you life in Christ through the gospel.
Therefore, I ask you to follow my example.
With this purpose, I am sending Timothy, my dear and trustworthy son in the Lord’s service. He will remind you of how I live as a Christian, as I teach in all the churches everywhere.
Some of you thought I couldn’t visit you and became very proud.
But I will visit you soon, Lord willing, and I will see—not what those proud people say, but what they can do.
Because the kingdom of God is not about words but about power.
What do you prefer, for me to come with a stick or with love and gentleness?
Commentaries
Ministers of Christ.
Paul now speaks personally to the Corinthians. He responds to their criticisms with the strength and passion of his character. Here we see Paul, who is tough yet caring, ironic and sharp, wounded but not bitter, and above all, sincere. In the end, the caring Paul reappears, like a father who gently corrects his beloved children, whom he has led to Christ. He promises to visit them, and this time he will come to them not trembling and scared as before, but with the example of his life inspired by the power of the Gospel.