Chapter 4
| 1 Corinthians: -1- -2- -3- -4- -5- -6- -7- -8- -9- -10- -11- -12- -13- -14- -15- -16- |
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| 4:1 Let people regard us as being servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Yet in this it is required of stewards, that they be found faithful. 3 It is inconsequential to me, however, that I be investigated by you or by a human court. In fact, I never investigate or examine myself. 4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet this fact does not justify me. • Rather, the One who examines me is the Lord. 5 For that reason, do not judge anything before the proper time, until the Lord comes, who will make evident the hidden things of darkness as well as make visible and clear the motives of the hearts. Then the praise and approval will be from God to each. 6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things figuratively to myself and to Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may not learn beyond what has been written, that you be not puffed up or arrogant, one over the other. 7 For who makes you different? What have you now which you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if it was not received? 8 You are already satiated; you have already become wealthy [f]. Apart from us you have reigned as kings, and I wish that you truly reigned, so that we might also reign together with you. 9 For I think God has demonstrated us apostles last, as condemned to death, because we have become a theater on the stage, a spectacle to the world-cosmos, to angels as well as humans. 10 We are fools through Christ, yet you are wise inside of Christ. We are weak, yet you are strong. You are honored, but we are without honor and unrecognized. 11 Into the present time, we hunger and thirst and are poorly clothed. We are struck hard from all sides and wander as homeless vagabonds. 12 We toil, working with our own hands. When we are abused to our faces, we speak good words and bless. When we are driven out, we continue with patience. 13 When we are slandered, we comfort and encourage. Even until now, we have become as the scum and filth wiped off of the earth. 14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to place them into your minds, as you are my beloved children. 15 You might have ten thousand teachers or guardians inside of Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For inside of Christ Jesus and through the gospel, I have conceived you and brought you forth. 16 I encourage you, therefore; become imitators of me. 17 It is for this reason that I sent Timothy to you, who is also my child, beloved and faithful inside of the Lord, who will remind you of my ways that are inside of Christ Jesus, as I teach everywhere in every assembly. 18 Because I have not yet come to you, some have become arrogant. 19 I will come to you soon, however, as the Lord desires, and I will know, not the words of those who are arrogant, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in [arrogant] word, but in power. 21 What do you want? That I should come to you with a rod or in love and in a spirit of gentleness? |
| Gospel Word | Notes |
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| • Ruling Verse 7: As Jesus examines every part of our lives, so He causes us to be justly innocent inside of God. We bring every part of our present selves to Jesus and every moment of our past, into the Fire. We are part of Christ as we are confident that we are part of Christ (see Hebrews 3:14). | f. Satiated - filled with all-Salvation. Made rich - all the riches of Christ. |