1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 4:1

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

And, as for us, let men account us as we are, without all flattering and partial respects, even as the ministers of Christ, and the stewards or dispensers of the great mysteries of God; not as the masters or owners thereof.

1 Corinthians 4:2

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

And ye know it is a principal quality required in a steward, that he be faithful to his lord; laying forth that which is committed to him, with all due care and fidelity.

1 Corinthians 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.

So have I done, howsoever I am censured by some emulous accusers: but I regard it not: with me it is a very small thing,

1 Corinthians 4:4

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

For I have, indeed, carried myself, as near as I could, inoffensively in my ministry; neither do I know any flaw or blemish in my demeanour, this way: but yet, I may not stand stiffly upon mine own justification; but I must leave myself to the favourable sentence of my Lord and Master.

1 Corinthians 4:5

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, &c.

Much less, therefore, do ye presume to judge of others, before the time of the clear revelation of all things, which shall be at the coming of the Lord, who &c.

1 Corinthians 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.

And, as for these particulars, brethren, I have instanced in the names of myself and Apollos, purposely, though we have made no such challenges nor have had such sides taken, for your sakes; that ye might learn, by this example and instance of ours, not to overvalue men, above that rate which is commended unto us by the written charge of Christ; and that no man be puffed up with a proud conceit of being under one teacher rather than another, or of more worthiness in himself than another.

1 Corinthians 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, &c.

For, O vain man, whosoever thou art, that vauntest of thine own excellencies or better parts, tell me, who makes thee to differ from another? how comest thou to be better than others? and what hast thou, that thou hast not received, as of free gift, from God? &c.

1 Corinthians 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.

And as for you, Corinthians, I take no pleasure to see you thus affected: ye are, in your own conceits, full fed, and have no need of our wholesome nourishment; ye are rich in grace and virtue; yea, ye are, in your own opinion, already glorious kings, without any help of ours: Alas, I would to God it were thus with you! So far am I from envying your happiness, that I could earnestly wish ye did indeed reign over your corruptions, and were possessed of the assurance of glory and blessedness with Christ, that we might take our part and share with you in that your happy estate.

1 Corinthians 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.

For, as for our condition, it is here no other than very miserable: for I think that God hath set and singled out us, who are his last Apostles or messengers, as men destined and appointed to death in the public theatre of the world; wherein we are made a spectacle to all eyes, even to the whole world of beholders, both angels and men.

1 Corinthians 4:10

We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; &c.

What a difference there is between you and us! We are accounted, and willing so to be accounted, fools for Christ’s sake; but ye think yourselves wise in Christ; &c.

1 Corinthians 4:13

We are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

We are made so contemptible as the very dirt under the feet of men; and as the scrapings, and parings, and base offal of all creatures, unto this day, cast out as loathsome and unprofitable.

1 Corinthians 4:14

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

I write not these things to shame you, by upbraiding you with your own error; but, by this touch which I have given you, to admonish and warn you of so offending.

1 Corinthians 4:15

For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers.

For I do justly challenge more right in you, than any other teacher whatsoever; for if you have ten thousand schoolmasters and instructors, to read divine lectures unto you, yet have ye no more spiritual fathers, besides myself.

1 Corinthians 4:17

Who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

Who shall put you in mind of both my strict conversation and holy doctrine, which I propound to all the Churches of Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:18

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

Now some take upon them, at pleasure, as if it were sure that I would not come to control them.

1 Corinthians 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.

And will make trial of these boasters: not of their eloquence and good words, wherein I know they excel; but of their power and evidence of the spirit, wherein I know I shall find them defective.

1 Corinthians 4:20

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

For the praise, and glory, and efficacy of the Gospel, which is the kingdom of God, doth not stand in words, but in power.

1 Corinthians 4:21

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

Let it be your own choice then, after what manner I shall come unto you: my carriage must be directed by your deserts and dispositions: will you, that I shall come to you with a rod of censure, to correct your exorbitances; or, in love and in the spirit of meekness, to commend and cherish your holy proceedings and Christian carriage? I shall do either of them, as I shall receive occasion from you.