1 Corinthians
Chapter 4
Overview
Paul continues addressing the rivalry that has divided the Corinthian believers. Some are treating Christian leaders like competing celebrities and taking pride in belonging to the “best” group. Paul reframes leadership as service: he and Apollos are caretakers responsible to God, not stars seeking applause. With sharp humor, he contrasts the Corinthians’ confidence with the apostles’ hardship. Then his tone becomes fatherly. He warns them without rejecting them, sends Timothy to remind them how he lives and teaches, and promises to visit. The chapter ends with a choice between firm correction and gentle affection.
1People should think of us as servants of the Messiah and as managers entrusted with truths that God has revealed.
2What is required of people given such responsibility is that they prove faithful.
3It matters very little to me whether I am judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself.
4I am not aware of anything against me, but that does not prove I am innocent. The Lord is the one who judges me.
5So do not pass judgment before the proper time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the purposes within people’s hearts. Then each person will receive appropriate praise from God.
6Brothers and sisters, for your sake I have used Apollos and myself as examples. I want you to learn from us the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then none of you will become arrogant, favoring one person over another.
7Who makes you superior to anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why boast as though you had not?
8You already have everything you want! You are already rich! You have become kings without us! I wish you really had become kings, so that we could rule with you!
9It seems to me that God has placed us apostles last, like prisoners condemned to die. We have become a public spectacle before the whole universe—before angels and human beings.
10We are fools because of the Messiah, but you are wise in the Messiah! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, but we are despised!
11To this very moment, we go hungry and thirsty. We are poorly clothed, beaten, and homeless.
12We exhaust ourselves by working with our own hands. When people insult us, we respond with kind words. When they persecute us, we endure it.
13When people speak against us, we answer gently. Until now, we have been treated like the world’s filth, like garbage everyone wants thrown away.
14I am not writing this to shame you. I am warning you as my dearly loved children.
15Even if you had countless guardians to guide you in the Messiah, you would not have many fathers. Through the good news, I became your father in Messiah Jesus.
16So I urge you to follow my example.
17That is why I sent Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved child and is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you how I live in union with Messiah Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every community of believers.
18Some of you have become arrogant because you think I am not coming to visit you.
19But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wants me to. Then I will find out not merely what these arrogant people can say, but what power they actually have.
20For God’s reign is demonstrated not by talk, but by power.
21Which do you want? Should I come ready to discipline you with a rod, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?