1This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants1 of Christ and as those entrusted2 with the mysteries3 God has revealed.
2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.
4My conscience1 is clear, but that does not make me innocent.2 It is the Lord who judges me.3
5Therefore judge nothing1 before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes.2 He will bring to light3 what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.4
6Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.”1 Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.2
7For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?1 And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
8Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich!1 You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you!
9For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die1 in the arena. We have been made a spectacle2 to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings.
10We are fools for Christ,1 but you are so wise in Christ!2 We are weak, but you are strong!3 You are honored, we are dishonored!
11To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.1
12We work hard with our own hands.1 When we are cursed, we bless;2 when we are persecuted,3 we endure it;
13when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage1 of the world—right up to this moment.
14I am writing this not to shame you1 but to warn you as my dear children.2
15Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father1 through the gospel.2
16Therefore I urge you to imitate me.1
17For this reason I have sent to you1 Timothy,2 my son3 whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.4
18Some of you have become arrogant,1 as if I were not coming to you.2
19But I will come to you very soon,1 if the Lord is willing,2 and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.
20For the kingdom of God is not a matter of1 talk but of power.2
21What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline,1 or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?