4:1  Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

4:2   In this case, moreover, we require of stewards that one should prove trustworthy.

4:3   But to me it seems a very small thing that you may examine me, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself.

4:4  For I have not had consciousness of nothing against myself, yet I have not become acquitted by this; but Lord alone examines me.

4:5  Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes, Who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God.

4:6  Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what the scripture states, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.

4:7   For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

4:8   You have already become filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you.

4:9   For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.

4:10   We have become fools for Christ's sake, but you show prudence in Christ; we seem weak, but you seem strong; you seem distinguished, but we seem without honor.

4:11   To this present hour we have become both hungry and thirsty, and look poorly clothed, and receive rough treatment, and have no homes;

4:12   and we toil, working with our own hands; when we receive revilement, we bless; when we receive persecution, we endure;

4:13   when we suffer slander, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.

4:14   I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

4:15  For if you would have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

4:16   Therefore I exhort you, imitate me.

4:17  For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who has become my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which dwell in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.

4:18   Now some have become arrogant, as though I did not come to you.

4:19   But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who arrogantly use their power.

4:20   For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power.

4:21  What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?