1 Corinthians Chapter 4
Let people view us as part of Christ's crew and the guardians of God's mysteries.
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
No cap, it's essential for stewards to be seen as trustworthy.
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
For real, your judgment or anyone else's doesn't faze me; I ain't even putting myself on blast.
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. {judgment: Gr. day}
I got no clue what's popping with me; still, that doesn’t mean I'm in the clear—only the Lord can hit me with the verdict.
For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. {know: or, I am not conscious of any fault}
So, chill on the judging until the right moment when the Lord uncovers what’s been kept secret and shows the heart vibes; then everyone will get their shoutout from God.
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Listen up, fam, I’m using myself and Apollos as examples so you don’t hype anyone more than what's in the script and stay humble.
And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and {to} Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think {of men} above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
For real, what sets you apart from anyone else? What do you have that you didn't receive? If you got it, why you showing off like you worked for it?
For who maketh thee to differ {from another}? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive {it}, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received {it}? {maketh...: Gr. distinguisheth thee}
Right now, you’re all feeling yourselves and living it up like royalty without us, and I wish you were ruling so we could roll with you.
Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
I think God put us apostles at the back of the line, like we’re supposed to be the underdogs; we’re a spectacle for the world, angels, and humanity.
For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. {us...: or, us the last apostles, as} {spectacle: Gr. theatre}
We come off as fools for Christ, but you guys are wise; we’re weak, while you’re the strong ones; you got it all while we’re taking the hits.
We {are} fools for Christ's sake, but ye {are} wise in Christ; we {are} weak, but ye {are} strong; ye {are} honourable, but we {are} despised.
Even now, we’re starving, thirsty, bare, beat up, and don’t have a solid spot to hang out.
Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
We’re hustling with our hands: when people come for us, we bless back; when they throw shade, we just take it.
And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
When they throw shade our way, we ask for peace; we’re like the world’s trash and leftovers still to this day.
Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, {and are} the offscouring of all things unto this day.
I’m not saying this to clown you, but as my beloved fam, I’m just giving you a heads up.
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn {you}.
You might have a bunch of teachers in Christ, but not many fathers; I brought you into the family through the gospel.
For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet {have ye} not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
So, I’m asking you to roll with my flow.
Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
That’s why I sent Timotheus, my beloved son and ride-or-die in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, which I preach everywhere in every church.
For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
Some of you are acting so high and mighty like I won't be rolling through.
Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
But I’m pulling up soon, if the Lord's cool with it, and I’ll check what's cracking, not just the chatter of the puffy, but the real deal.
But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
The kingdom of God ain’t just talk; it's all about that real power.
For the kingdom of God {is} not in word, but in power.
What do you want? Should I roll up with a stick or with love and chill vibes?
What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and {in} the spirit of meekness?