1And so, let everyone think of us as Christ’s servants and stewards1752 of God’s mysteries. 2Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful! 3But as far as I am concerned, it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or according to human judgment. Yes, I do not [even] judge my own self 4because I know1753 nothing against myself. Yet, I am not justified by this, but the one who judges me is the Lord. 5Therefore, judge nothing before the time, [that is] until the Lord comes. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the motives of every heart. Then each person will receive due praise from God.
6Brethren, I have figuratively applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that in us you might learn the meaning of ‘not beyond the things which are written,’ so that none of you will be puffed up against another. 7Indeed, who makes you different?1754 And what do you have that you have not received? But if you received it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? 8[But] you are already filled! You have already become rich and you have come to rule apart from us! Yes, and I wish that you would really be rulers, so that we also might reign with you. 9I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and people. 10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor. 11Even to this present hour, we hunger and thirst, we are naked, beaten, and [we] wander from place to place! 12We work hard, with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless [in return]. When we are persecuted, we endure. 13When we are defamed, we try to conciliate. We are made as the filth of the world, as the dirt wiped off by all, even until now. 14I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15For although you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet [you do] not [have] many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Good News. 16I beg you therefore, be imitators of me. 17For this reason, I have sent Timothy to you, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every Church. 18Now some of you, thinking that I am not coming to you, have become arrogant. 19Still, I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills! Then I will find out not so much what these arrogant people say, but what power they have. 20Truly, the Kingdom of God is not in speech, but in power.1755 21What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a spirit of gentleness?
A case of sexual immorality
- Or “guardians, keepers”
- Or “I am aware of”
- Or “superior”
- Greek duna,mei
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
