1 Corinthians 4

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

1Think of us this way. We are servants who work for Christ. God trusted us to take care of his secret truths.

2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

2Anyone trusted with something must be someone who can be trusted.

3But 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.

3It matters very little to me if you judge me. It matters little if any court judges me. I do not even judge myself.

4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

4I do not know of any wrong I have done. But that does not prove I am right. The Lord is the one who judges me.

Note"I know nothing by myself" is old English for "I know nothing against myself." Paul means his conscience is clear, not that he knows nothing.

5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

5So do not judge anyone too soon. Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring hidden things out into the light. He will show what people really wanted inside. Then God will give each person the praise they should get.

6And 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.

6Brothers and sisters, I used myself and Apollos as examples. I did this to help you. Learn from us not to go past what the Bible says. Then you will not puff up with pride over one leader and put down another.

7For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

7Who made you better than anyone else? Everything you have was given to you. So why brag, as if you got it on your own?

8Now 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.

8You act like you already have all you want. You act like you are rich. You act like kings, and you left us out. I wish you really were kings! Then we could be kings with you.

9For 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.

9It seems to me that God has put us apostles last of all. Apostles are the men Jesus sent out to teach about him. We look like prisoners marched out to die. The whole world watches us, both angels and people.

NotePaul is picturing a Roman parade. Prisoners who were going to be killed came last, where everyone could stare at them.

10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.

10We look like fools because we belong to Christ. You think you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. People honor you, but they look down on us.

11Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;

11Even right now we are hungry and thirsty. Our clothes are worn out. People beat us. We have no home of our own.

12And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

12We work hard with our own hands. When people say mean things, we say kind things back. When people hurt us, we put up with it.

13Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

13When people tell lies about us, we answer gently. People treat us like trash. To this day we are like dirt swept off the floor.

14I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

14I am not writing this to make you feel ashamed. I am warning you, because I love you like my own children.

15For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

15You may have ten thousand teachers who watch over you in Christ. But you do not have many fathers. I became your father when I told you the good news about Jesus.

Note"Instructors" here means guardians. In Paul's day, a trusted servant walked a child to school and looked after him. Helpful, but not the child's father.

16Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

16So I am asking you: live the way I live.

17For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

17That is why I sent Timothy to you. I love him like a son, and he is faithful to the Lord. He will remind you how I live for Christ. I teach the same thing in every church, everywhere.

18Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

18Some of you have grown proud. You act like I am never coming to see you.

19But 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.

19But I will come soon, if the Lord wants me to. Then I will find out more than what these proud people say. I will find out if they have any real power.

20For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

20God's kingdom is not just talk. It is power.

21What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

21Which do you want? Should I come with a stick to punish you? Or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?