Parallel Bible results for "1 corinthians 4"

1 Corinthians 4

Common English Bible CEB

1 So a person should think about us this way—as servants of Christ and managers of God's secrets.

2 In this kind of situation, what is expected of a manager is that they prove to be faithful.

3 I couldn't care less if I'm judged by you or by any human court; I don't even judge myself.

4 I'm not aware of anything against me, but that doesn't make me innocent, because the Lord is the one who judges me.

5 So don't judge anything before the right time—wait until the Lord comes. He will bring things that are hidden in the dark to light, and he will make people's motivations public. Then there will be recognition for each person from God.

6 Brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit. I've done this so that you can learn what it means not to go beyond what has been written and so none of you will become arrogant by supporting one of us against the other.

7 Who says that you are better than anyone else? What do you have that you didn't receive? And if you received it, then why are you bragging as if you didn't receive it?

8 You've been filled already! You've become rich already! You rule like kings without us! I wish you did rule so that we could be kings with you!

9 I suppose that God has shown that we apostles are at the end of the line. We are like prisoners sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle in the world, both to angels and to humans.

10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise through Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, but we are dishonored!

11 Up to this very moment we are hungry, thirsty, wearing rags, abused, and homeless.

12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are insulted, we respond with a blessing; when we are harassed, we put up with it;

13 when our reputation is attacked, we are encouraging. We have become the scum of the earth, the waste that runs off everything, up to the present time.

14 I'm not writing these things to make you ashamed but to warn you, since you are my loved children.

15 You may have ten thousand mentors in Christ, but you don't have many fathers. I gave birth to you in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

16 so I encourage you to follow my example.

17 This is why I've sent Timothy to you; he's my loved and trusted child in the Lord; he'll remind you about my way of life in Christ Jesus. He'll teach the same way as I teach everywhere in every church.

18 Some have become arrogant as if I'm not coming to see you.

19 But, if the Lord is willing, I'll come to you soon. Then I won't focus on what these arrogant people say, but I'll find out what power they possess.

20 God's kingdom isn't about words but about power.

21 Which do you want? Should I come to you with a big stick to punish you, or with love and a gentle spirit?

GOD'S WORD Translation GW

1 People should think of us as servants of Christ and managers who are entrusted with God's mysteries.

2 Managers are required to be trustworthy.

3 It means very little to me that you or any human court should cross-examine me. I don't even ask myself questions.

4 I have a clear conscience, but that doesn't mean I have God's approval. It is the Lord who cross-examines me.

5 Therefore, don't judge anything before the appointed time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will also bring to light what is hidden in the dark and reveal people's motives. Then each person will receive praise from God.

6 Brothers and sisters, I have applied this to Apollos and myself for your sake. You should learn from us not to go beyond what is written in Scripture. Then you won't arrogantly place one of us in opposition to the other.

7 Who says that you are any better than other people? What do you have that wasn't given to you? If you were given what you have, why are you bragging as if it weren't a gift?

8 You already have what you want! You've already become rich! You've become kings without us! I wish you really were kings so that we could be kings with you.

9 As I see it, God has placed us apostles last in line, like people condemned to die. We have become a spectacle for people and angels to look at.

10 We have given up our wisdom for Christ, but you have insight because of Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.

11 To this moment, we are hungry, thirsty, poorly dressed, roughly treated, and homeless.

12 We wear ourselves out doing physical labor. When people verbally abuse us, we bless them. When people persecute us, we endure it.

13 When our reputations are attacked, we remain courteous. Right now we have become garbage in the eyes of the world and trash in the sight of all people.

14 I'm not writing this to make you feel ashamed but to instruct you as my dear children.

15 You may have countless Christian guardians, but you don't have many [spiritual] fathers. I became your father in the Christian life by telling you the Good News about Christ Jesus.

16 So I encourage you to imitate me.

17 That's why I've sent Timothy to you to help you remember my Christian way of life as I teach it everywhere in every church. Timothy is my dear child, and he faithfully does the Lord's work.

18 Some of you have become arrogant because you think I won't pay you a visit.

19 If it's the Lord's will, I'll visit you soon. Then I'll know what these arrogant people are saying and what power they have.

20 God's kingdom is not just talk, it is power.

21 When I come to visit you, would you prefer that I punish you or show you love and a gentle spirit?