The Ministry of Apostles

1 Corinthians 4

1 Let a man so consider us, as a servants of Christ b and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human 1 court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 c Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to d light the hidden things of darkness and e reveal the 2 counsels of the hearts. f Then each one's praise will come from God.

6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be 3 puffed up on behalf of one against the other. 7 For who 4 makes you differ from another? And g what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

8 You are already full! h You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us - and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! 9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a i spectacle 5 to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are j fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! k We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 l And we labor, working with our own hands. m Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we 6 entreat. n We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but o as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for p in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, q imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent r Timothy to you, s who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will t remind you of my ways in Christ, as I u teach everywhere v in every church. 18 w Now some are 7 puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19 x But I will come to you shortly, y if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For z the kingdom of God is not in word but in a power. 21 What do you want? b Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 24:45
    Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?
    Romans 13:6
    For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing.
    2 Corinthians 3:6
    Who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
    Colossians 1:25
    Of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God.
  2. Cross References
    Luke 12:42
    And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?
    1 Corinthians 9:17
    For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
    Titus 1:7
    For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money.
    1 Peter 4:10
    As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
  3. Cross References
    Matthew 7:1
    Judge not, that you be not judged.
    Romans 2:1
    Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.
    Revelation 20:12
    And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
  4. Cross References
    Matthew 10:26
    Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.
  5. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 3:13
    Each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.
  6. Cross References
    Romans 2:29
    But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.
    1 Corinthians 3:8
    Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
    2 Corinthians 5:10
    For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
  7. Cross References
    John 3:27
    John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.
    Romans 12:3
    For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
    Romans 12:6
    Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith.
    1 Peter 4:10
    As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
  8. Cross References
    Revelation 3:17
    Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' - and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked -
  9. Cross References
    Hebrews 10:33
    Partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated.
  10. Cross References
    Acts 17:18
    Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods," because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.
    Acts 26:24
    Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!
    1 Corinthians 1:18
    For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
  11. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 2:3
    I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
    2 Corinthians 13:9
    For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete.
  12. Cross References
    Acts 18:3
    So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.
    Acts 20:34
    Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.
  13. Cross References
    Matthew 5:44
    But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
  14. Cross References
    Lamentations 3:45
    You have made us an offscouring and refuse In the midst of the peoples.
  15. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 6:13
    Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.
    2 Corinthians 12:14
    Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
    1 Thessalonians 2:11
    As you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children.
    1 John 2:1
    My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
  16. Cross References
    Numbers 11:12
    Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,' to the land which You swore to their fathers?
    Acts 18:11
    And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
    1 Corinthians 3:8
    Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
    Galatians 4:19
    My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.
  17. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 11:1
    Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
    Philippians 3:17
    Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
    Philippians 4:9
    The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
    1 Thessalonians 1:6
    And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.
    2 Thessalonians 3:9
    Not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
  18. Cross References
    Acts 19:22
    So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.
    Philippians 2:19
    But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.
  19. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 4:14
    I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.
    1 Timothy 1:2
    To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
    1 Timothy 1:18
    This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare.
    2 Timothy 1:2
    To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
  20. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 11:2
    Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.
  21. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:17
    But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.
    Titus 1:5
    For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you -
  22. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:33
    For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
  23. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 5:2
    And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.
  24. Cross References
    Acts 19:21
    When these things were accomplished, Paul purpo...
    Acts 20:2
    Now when he had gone over that region and encou...
    1 Corinthians 11:34
    But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, l...
    1 Corinthians 16:5
    Now I will come to you when I pass through Mace...
    1 Corinthians 16:7 - 9
    For I do not wish to see you now on the way; bu...
    2 Corinthians 1:15
    And in this confidence I intended to come to yo...
  25. Cross References
    Acts 18:21
    But took leave of them, saying, "I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing." And he sailed from Ephesus.
    Hebrews 6:3
    And this we will do if God permits.
    James 4:15
    Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.
  26. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 1:5
    For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
  27. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 2:4
    And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.
  28. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 10:2
    But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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