1 Corinthians 4 - Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

Apostles of Christ Jesus

4 You should think of us as servants of Christ, the ones God has trusted to do the work of making known his secret truths. 2 Those who are trusted with such an important work must show that they are worthy of that trust. 3 But I don’t consider your judgment on this point to be worth anything. Even an opinion from a court of law would mean nothing. I don’t even trust my own judgment. 4 I don’t know of any wrong I have done, but that does not make me right. The Lord is the one who must decide if I have done well or not. 5 So don’t judge anyone now. The time for judging will be when the Lord comes. He will shine light on everything that is now hidden in darkness. He will make known the secret purposes of our hearts. Then the praise each person should get will come from God.

6 Brothers and sisters, I have used Apollos and myself as examples for you. I did this so that you could learn from us the meaning of the words, “Follow what the Scriptures say.” Then you will not brag about one person and criticize another. 7 Who do you think you are? Everything you have was given to you. So, if everything you have was given to you, why do you act as if you got it all by your own power?

8 You think you have everything you need. You think you are rich. You think you have become kings without us. I wish you really were kings. Then we could rule together with you. 9 But it seems to me that God has given me and the other apostles the last place. We are like prisoners condemned to die, led in a parade for the whole world to see—not just people but angels too. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you think you are so wise in Christ. We are weak, but you think you are so strong. People give you honor, but they don’t honor us. 11 Even now we still don’t have enough to eat or drink, and we don’t have enough clothes. We often get beatings. We have no homes. 12 We work hard with our own hands to feed ourselves. When people insult us, we ask God to bless them. When people treat us badly, we accept it. 13 When people say bad things about us, we try to say something that will help them. But people still treat us like the world’s garbage—everyone’s trash.

14 I am not trying to make you feel ashamed, but I am writing this to counsel you as my own dear children. 15 You may have ten thousand teachers in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. Through the Good News I became your father in Christ Jesus. 16 So I beg you to be like me. 17 That is why I am sending Timothy to you. He is my son in the Lord. I love him and trust him. He will help you remember the way I live in Christ Jesus—a way of life that I teach in every meeting of the church wherever I am.

18 Some of you are acting so proud, it seems as though you think I won’t be coming there again. 19 But I will come to you very soon, the Lord willing. Then I will see if these proud talkers have the power to do anything more than talk. 20 God’s kingdom is not seen in talk but in power. 21 Which do you want: that I come to you with punishment, or that I come with love and gentleness?

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1 Corinthians 4 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

4 Let a man so reckon us as officers of Christ, and stewards of the secrets of God, 2 and as to the rest, it is required in the stewards that one may be found faithful, 3 and to me it is for a very little thing that by you I may be judged, or by man's day, but not even myself do I judge, 4 for of no...
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1 Corinthians 4 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

4 So a man guess us [So a man guess, or deem, us], as ministers of Christ, and dispensers of the mysteries of God. 2 Now it is sought here among the dispensers, that a man be found true. 3 And to me it is for the least thing, that I be deemed of you, or of man's day; but neither I deem myself. 4 ...
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1 Corinthians 4 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

4 People should look at us as men who are servants of Christ. We take care of the secret things of God. 2 A man who takes care of things must be a person his master can trust. 3 As for me, I care very little what you think about me or how any man judges me. I do not even judge myself. 4 I do not kno...
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1 Corinthians 4 - World English Bible (WEB)

4 So let a man think of us as Christ’s servants, and stewards of God’s mysteries. 2 Here, moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man’s judgment. Yes, I don’t judge my own self. 4 For I know not...
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1 Corinthians 4 - The Voice (VOICE)

4 Rather than power brokers, think of us as servants of the Anointed One, the Liberating King, caretakers of the mysteries of God. 2 Because we are in this particular role, it is especially important that we are people of fidelity and integrity. 3 It makes little difference to me how you or any hu...
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1 Corinthians 4 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Learning to Imitate Messiah’s Emissary4 So let each one think of us in this way—as Messiah’s helpers and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 In this case, moreover, what is required of stewards is to be found trustworthy. 3 But to me it matters very little to be judged by you or by any human court...
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1 Corinthians 4 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Ministry of the Apostles4 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not ev...
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1 Corinthians 4 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

4 Let a man so think of us, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 And as for the rest, it is required of the stewards that everyone be found faithful. 3 As for me, however, it is my least concern to be examined by you, or by mankind. I do not even examine myself. 4 For thoug...
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1 Corinthians 4 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

Judgment Then Rather Than Now4 This is how we should be thought of: as servants of the Messiah, and household managers for God’s mysteries. 2 And this is what follows: the main requirement for a manager is to be trustworthy. 3 Having said that, I regard it as a matter of minimal concern to think t...
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1 Corinthians 4 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Ministry of the Apostles4 Think of us in this way: as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.(A)2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myse...
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1 Corinthians 4 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

Those who preach are but servants. Judgment belongs to God only.4 Let people esteem us this way: as the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the secrets of God. 2 Furthermore, it is required of the stewards that they be found faithful. 3 With me it is but a very small thing if I am judged by you, ...
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1 Corinthians 4 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Paul’s Relationship with the Corinthians4 So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries. 2 Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. 3 As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any ...
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1 Corinthians 4 - New Life Version (NLV)

Servants of Christ4 Think of us as servants who are owned by Christ. It is our job to share the secrets of God. 2 A servant must be faithful to his owner. This is expected of him. 3 It is not the most important thing to me what you or any other people think of me. Even what I think of myself does ...
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1 Corinthians 4 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Stewards of the Mysteries of God4 Let a man so consider us, as (A)servants of Christ (B)and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human [a]court. In fact, I d...
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