1 Corinthians 4 - International Standard Version (ISV)

Faithful Servants of the Messiah

4 Think of us as servants of the Messiah[a] and as servant managers entrusted with God’s secrets. 2 Now it is required of servant managers that each one should prove to be trustworthy.[b] 3 It is a very small thing to me that I should be examined by you or by any human court. In fact, I don’t even evaluate myself. 4 For my conscience is clear,[c] but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who examines me. 5 Therefore, stop judging prematurely, before the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is now hidden in darkness and reveal the motives of our hearts. Then each person will receive his praise from God.

Fools for the Messiah’s Sake

6 Brothers, I have applied all this to Apollos and myself for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what the Scriptures say.[d] Then you will stop boasting about one person at the expense of another.

7 For who makes you superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not receive it? 8 You already have all you want! You have already become rich! You have become kings without us! I wish you really were kings so that we could be kings with you! 9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display in last place, like men condemned to death. We have become a spectacle for the world, for angels, and for people to stare at. 10 We are fools for the Messiah’s[e] sake, but you are wise in the Messiah.[f] We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. 11 We are hungry, thirsty, dressed in rags, brutally treated, and homeless, right up to the present. 12 We wear ourselves out from working with our own hands. When insulted, we bless. When persecuted, we endure. 13 When slandered, we answer with kind words. Even now we have become the filth of the world, the scum of the universe.

Fatherly Advice

14 I’m not writing this to make you feel ashamed, but to warn you as my dear children. 15 You may have 10,000 mentors who work for the Messiah,[g] but not many fathers. For in the Messiah[h] Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 So I urge you to imitate me. 17 That’s why I sent Timothy to you. He is my dear and dependable son in the Lord and will help you remember how I live for the Messiah[i] Jesus as I teach everywhere in every church.

18 Some of you have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to evaluate[j] you. 19 But I will come to you soon if it’s the Lord’s will. Then I’ll discover not only what these arrogant people are saying but also what power they have, 20 for the kingdom of God isn’t just talk, but also power. 21 Which do you prefer? Should I come to you with a stick, or with love and a gentle spirit?

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 4:1 Or Christ
  2. 1 Corinthians 4:2 Or should be found faithful
  3. 1 Corinthians 4:4 Lit. I don’t know of anything against myself
  4. 1 Corinthians 4:6 Lit. what is written
  5. 1 Corinthians 4:10 Or Christ’s
  6. 1 Corinthians 4:10 Or Christ
  7. 1 Corinthians 4:15 Or Christ
  8. 1 Corinthians 4:15 Or Christ
  9. 1 Corinthians 4:17 Or Christ
  10. 1 Corinthians 4:18 The Gk. lacks evaluate

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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)

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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)

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