4Verse 1Let a man so consider us, as ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.Verse 2Now furthermore what is required among stewards, is that one be found faithful.Verse 3But to me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by a human court. Indeed, I do not even judge myself.Verse 4For I am conscious of nothing, but I have not been justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.Verse 5So then judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who also will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make clear the purposes of the hearts. Then each one's praise shall come from God.Verse 6Now these things, brothers, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, in order that you may learn in us not to think above what is written, and that none of you may become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.Verse 7For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? And if you did indeed receive what you have, why do you boast as though you did not receive it?Verse 8You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us; and I wish that indeed you did reign, in order that we also might reign with you!Verse 9For I think that God has exhibited us, the apostles, last, as men appointed to death; for we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.Verse 10We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are lauded, but we are despised!Verse 11Even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are naked, and beaten, and homeless.Verse 12And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;Verse 13being defamed, we encourage; we have become as the sweepings of the world, the offscouring of all things, to this day.Verse 14I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I admonish you.Verse 15For though you might have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.Verse 16Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.Verse 17Because of this I sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.Verse 18Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.Verse 19But I will come to you quickly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are arrogant, but the power.Verse 20For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.Verse 21What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love, and a spirit of gentleness?