1 Let everyone then see us as the servants of Christ and stewards of the secret works of God.
2 Being stewards, faithfulness shall be demanded of us;
3 but I do not mind if you or any human court judges me. I do not even judge myself;
4 my conscience indeed does not accuse me of anything, but that is not enough for me to be set right with God: the Lord is the one who judges me.
5 Therefore, do not judge before the time, until the coming of the Lord. He will bring to light whatever was hidden in darkness and will disclose the secret intentions of the hearts. Then each one will receive praise from God.
6 Brothers and sisters, you forced me to apply these comparisons to Apollos and to myself. Learn by this example not to believe yourselves superior by siding with one against the other.
7 How then are you more than the others? What have you that you have not received? And if you received it, why are you proud, as if you did not receive it?
8 So, then, you are already rich and satisfied, and feel like kings without us! I wish you really were kings, so that we might enjoy the kingship with you!
9 It seems to me that God has placed us, the apostles, in the last place, as if condemned to death, and as spectacles for the whole world, for the angels as well as for mortals.
10 We are fools for Christ, while you show forth the wisdom of Christ. We are weak, you are strong. You are honored, while we are despised.
11 Until now we hunger and thirst, we are poorly clothed and badly treated, while moving from place to place.
12 We labor, working with our hands. People insult us and we bless them, they persecute us and we endure everything;
13 they speak evil against us, and ours are works of peace. We have become like the scum of the earth, like the garbage of humankind until now.
14 I do not write this to shame you, but to warn you as very dear children.
15 Because even though you may have ten thousand guardians in the Christian life, you have only one father; and it was I who gave you life in Christ through the Gospel.
16 Therefore I pray you to follow my example.
17 With this purpose I send to you Timothy, my dear and trustworthy son in the service of the Lord. He will remind you of my way of Christian life, as I teach it in all churches everywhere.
18 Some of you thought that I could not visit you and became very arrogant.
19 But I will visit you soon, the Lord willing, and I will see, not what those arrogant people say, but what they can do.
20 Because the kingdom of God is not a matter of words, but of power.
21 What do you prefer, for me to come with a stick or with love and gentleness?
Versículos relacionados com 1 Corinthians, 4:
1 Corinthians 4 addresses the role of Christian leaders in the church. Paul emphasizes that they must be faithful administrators of the message of Christ, and not seek their own glory or recognition. He also warns believers not to judge leaders hastily, but to wait for God's judgment, which is just and true.
Jeremiah 17:10: "I, the Lord, squad my heart and provoke thoughts; and this to give each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his actions." This verse points out that only God truly knows the human heart and judges it precisely.
Matthew 25:23: "His Lord said unto him, Very well, good and faithful servant; You were faithful in little, I will put you a lot; enter the joy of your Lord." This verse emphasizes the importance of fidelity and commitment in the administration of God's things.
2 Corinthians 10:18: "For it is not approved who to praise himself, but he to whom the Lord praises." This verse highlights the importance of not seeking one's own glory or recognition, but to be approved by God.
Matthew 7:1-2: "Do not judge, that you will not be judged. For with the judgment you will be judged, and with the measure with which you will measure you." This verse warns against the hasty judgment and emphasizes that the righteous judgment comes from God only.
1 Timothy 3:1: "This is a faithful word: if someone desires the episcopate, excellent work wishes." This verse highlights the importance of leadership in the church, and emphasizes that leaders should seek this role with a sincere heart and committed to the work of
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