4:1  SO THEN, let us [apostles] be looked upon as ministering servants of Christ and stewards (trustees) of the mysteries (the secret purposes) of God.

4:2  Moreover, it is [essentially] required of stewards that a man should be found faithful [proving himself worthy of trust].

4:3  But [as for me personally] it matters very little to me that I should be put on trial by you [on this point], {and} that you or any other human tribunal should investigate {and} question {and} cross-question me. I do not even put myself on trial {and} judge myself.

4:4  I am not conscious of anything against myself, {and} I feel blameless; but I am not vindicated {and} acquitted before God on that account. It is the Lord [Himself] Who examines {and} judges me.

4:5  So do not make any hasty {or} premature judgments before the time when the Lord comes [again], for He will both bring to light the secret things that are [now hidden] in darkness and disclose {and} expose the [secret] aims (motives and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his [due] commendation from God.

4:6  Now I have applied all this [about parties and factions] to myself and Apollos for your sakes, brethren, so that from what I have said of us [as illustrations], you may learn [to think of men in accordance with Scripture and] not to go beyond that which is written, that none of you may be puffed up {and} inflated with pride {and} boast in favor of one [minister and teacher] against another.

4:7  For who separates you from the others [as a faction leader]? [Who makes you superior and sets you apart from another, giving you the preeminence?] What have you that was not given to you? If then you received it [from someone], why do you boast as if you had not received [but had gained it by your own efforts]?

4:8  [You behave as if] you are already filled {and} think you have enough [you are full and content, feeling no need of anything more]! Already you have become rich [in spiritual gifts and graces]! [Without any counsel or instruction from us, in your conceit], you have ascended your thrones {and} come into your kingdom without including us! And would that it were true {and} that you did reign, so that we might be sharing the kingdom with you!

4:9  For it seems to me that God has made an exhibit of us apostles, exposing us to view last [of all, like men in a triumphal procession who are] sentenced to death [and displayed at the end of the line]. For we have become a spectacle to the world [a show in the world's amphitheater] with both men and angels [as spectators].

4:10  We are [looked upon as] fools on account of Christ {and} for His sake, but you are [supposedly] so amazingly wise {and} prudent in Christ! We are weak, but you are [so very] strong! You are highly esteemed, but we are in disrepute {and} contempt!

4:11  To this hour we have gone both hungry and thirsty; we [habitually] wear but one undergarment [and shiver in the cold]; we are roughly knocked about and wander around homeless.

4:12  And we still toil unto weariness [for our living], working hard with our own hands. When men revile us [wound us with an accursed sting], we bless them. When we are persecuted, we take it patiently {and} endure it.

4:13  When we are slandered {and} defamed, we [try to] answer softly {and} bring comfort. We have been made and are now the rubbish {and} filth of the world [the offscouring of all things, the scum of the earth].

4:14  I do not write this to shame you, but to warn {and} counsel you as my beloved children.

4:15  After all, though you should have ten thousand teachers (guides to direct you) in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the glad tidings (the Gospel).

4:16  So I urge {and} implore you, be imitators of me.

4:17  For this very cause I sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and trustworthy child in the Lord, who will recall to your minds my methods of proceeding {and} course of conduct {and} way of life in Christ, such as I teach everywhere in each of the churches.

4:18  Some of you have become conceited {and} arrogant {and} pretentious, counting on my not coming to you.

4:19  But I will come to you [and] shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will perceive {and} understand not what the talk of these puffed up {and} arrogant spirits amount to, but their force (the moral power and excellence of soul they really possess).

4:20  For the kingdom of God consists of {and} is based on not talk but power (moral power and excellence of soul).

4:21  Now which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of correction, or with love and in a spirit of gentleness?