1 Corinthians 4:1-21 King James Version (KJV)

¹ Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

² Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

³ But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

⁴ For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

⁵ Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

⁶ And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

⁷ For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

⁸ Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

⁹ For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

¹⁰ We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.

¹¹ Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;

¹² And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

¹³ Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

¹⁴ I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

¹⁵ For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

¹⁶ Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

¹⁷ For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

¹⁸ Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

¹⁹ But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.

²⁰ For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

²¹ What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

1 Corinthians 4:1-21 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

¹ Let ^G3049 a man ^G444 so ^G3779 account ^G3049 of us, ^G2248 as ^G5613 of the ministers ^G5257 of Christ, ^G5547 and ^G2532 stewards ^G3623 of the mysteries ^G3466 of God. ^G2316

² ^G3739 ^G1161 Moreover ^G3063 it is required ^G2212 in ^G1722 stewards, ^G3623 that ^G2443 a man ^G5100 be found ^G2147 faithful. ^G4103

³ But ^G1161 with me ^G1698 it is ^G2076 a very small thing ^G1519 ^G1646 that ^G2443 I should be judged ^G350 of ^G5259 you, ^G5216 or ^G2228 of ^G5259 man's ^G442 judgment: ^G2250 yea, ^G235 I judge ^G350 not ^G3761 mine own self. ^G1683

⁴ For ^G1063 I know ^G4894 nothing ^G3762 by myself; ^G1683 yet ^G235 am I ^G1344 not ^G3756 hereby ^G1722 ^G5129 justified: ^G1344 but ^G1161 he that judgeth ^G350 me ^G3165 is ^G2076 the Lord. ^G2962

⁵ Therefore ^G5620 judge ^G2919 nothing ^G3361 ^G5100 before ^G4253 the time, ^G2540 until ^G2193 ^G302 the Lord ^G2962 come, ^G2064 who ^G3739 both ^G2532 will bring to light ^G5461 the hidden things ^G2927 of darkness, ^G4655 and ^G2532 will make manifest ^G5319 the counsels ^G1012 of the hearts: ^G2588 and ^G2532 then ^G5119 shall every man ^G1538 have ^G1096 praise ^G1868 of ^G575 God. ^G2316

⁶ And ^G1161 these things, ^G5023 brethren, ^G80 I have in a figure transferred ^G3345 to ^G1519 myself ^G1683 and ^G2532 to Apollos ^G625 for ^G1223 your sakes; ^G5209 that ^G2443 ye might learn ^G3129 in ^G1722 us ^G2254 not ^G3361 to think ^G5426 of men above ^G5228 that ^G2443 which ^G3739 is written, ^G1125 that no ^G3363 one ^G1520 of you be puffed up ^G5448 for ^G5228 one ^G1520 against ^G2596 another. ^G2087

⁷ For ^G1063 who ^G5101 maketh ^G1252 thee ^G4571 to differ ^G1252 from another? and ^G1161 what ^G5101 hast thou ^G2192 that ^G3739 thou didst ^G2983 not ^G3756 receive? ^G2983 ^G1161 now if ^G1499 thou didst receive ^G2983 it, why ^G5101 dost thou glory, ^G2744 as ^G5613 if thou hadst ^G2983 not ^G3361 received ^G2983 it?

⁸ Now ^G2235 ye are ^G2075 full, ^G2880 now ^G2235 ye are rich, ^G4147 ye have reigned as kings ^G936 without ^G5565 us: ^G2257 and ^G2532 I would to God ^G3785 ^G1065 ye did reign, ^G936 that ^G2443 we ^G2249 also ^G2532 might reign with ^G4821 you. ^G5213

⁹ For ^G1063 I think ^G1380 that ^G3754 God ^G2316 hath set forth ^G584 us ^G2248 the apostles ^G652 last, ^G2078 as ^G5613 it were appointed to death: ^G1935 for ^G3754 we are made ^G1096 a spectacle ^G2302 unto the world, ^G2889 and ^G2532 to angels, ^G32 and ^G2532 to men. ^G444

¹⁰ We ^G2249 are fools ^G3474 for ^G1223 Christ's ^G5547 sake, ^G1223 but ^G1161 ye ^G5210 are wise ^G5429 in ^G1722 Christ; ^G5547 we ^G2249 are weak, ^G772 but ^G1161 ye ^G5210 are strong; ^G2478 ye ^G5210 are honourable, ^G1741 but ^G1161 we ^G2249 are despised. ^G820

¹¹ Even ^G891 unto this present ^G737 hour ^G5610 we ^G3983 both ^G2532 hunger, ^G3983 and ^G2532 thirst, ^G1372 and ^G2532 are naked, ^G1130 and ^G2532 are buffeted, ^G2852 and ^G2532 have no certain dwellingplace; ^G790

¹² And ^G2532 labour, ^G2872 working ^G2038 with our own ^G2398 hands: ^G5495 being reviled, ^G3058 we bless; ^G2127 being persecuted, ^G1377 we suffer it: ^G430

¹³ Being defamed, ^G987 we intreat: ^G3870 we are made ^G1096 as ^G5613 the filth ^G4027 of the world, ^G2889 and are the offscouring ^G4067 of all things ^G3956 unto ^G2193 this day. ^G737

¹⁴ I write ^G1125 not ^G3756 these things ^G5023 to shame ^G1788 you, ^G5209 but ^G235 as ^G5613 my ^G3450 beloved ^G27 sons ^G5043 I warn ^G3560 you.

¹⁵ For ^G1063 though ^G1437 ye have ^G2192 ten thousand ^G3463 instructors ^G3807 in ^G1722 Christ, ^G5547 yet ^G235 have ye not ^G3756 many ^G4183 fathers: ^G3962 for ^G1063 in ^G1722 Christ ^G5547 Jesus ^G2424 I ^G1473 have begotten ^G1080 you ^G5209 through ^G1223 the gospel. ^G2098

¹⁶ Wherefore ^G3767 I beseech ^G3870 you, ^G5209 be ye ^G1096 followers ^G3402 of me. ^G3450

¹⁷ For ^G1223 this ^G5124 cause ^G1223 have I sent ^G3992 unto you ^G5213 Timotheus, ^G5095 who ^G3739 is ^G2076 my ^G3450 beloved ^G27 son, ^G5043 and ^G2532 faithful ^G4103 in ^G1722 the Lord, ^G2962 who ^G3739 shall bring ^G363 you ^G5209 into remembrance ^G363 of my ^G3450 ways ^G3598 which ^G3588 be in ^G1722 Christ, ^G5547 as ^G2531 I teach ^G1321 every where ^G3837 in ^G1722 every ^G3956 church. ^G1577

¹⁸ Now ^G1161 some ^G5100 are puffed up, ^G5448 as though ^G5613 I ^G3450 would ^G2064 not ^G3361 come ^G2064 to ^G4314 you. ^G5209

¹⁹ But ^G1161 I will come ^G2064 to ^G4314 you ^G5209 shortly, ^G5030 if ^G1437 the Lord ^G2962 will, ^G2309 and ^G2532 will know, ^G1097 not ^G3756 the speech ^G3056 of them which are puffed up, ^G5448 but ^G235 the power. ^G1411

²⁰ For ^G1063 the kingdom ^G932 of God ^G2316 is not ^G3756 in ^G1722 word, ^G3056 but ^G235 in ^G1722 power. ^G1411

²¹ What ^G5101 will ye? ^G2309 shall I come ^G2064 unto ^G4314 you ^G5209 with ^G1722 a rod, ^G4464 or ^G2228 in ^G1722 love, ^G26 and ^G5037 in the spirit ^G4151 of meekness? ^G4236

1 Corinthians 4:1-21 American Standard (ASV)

¹ Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

² Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

³ But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

⁴ For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

⁵ Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.

⁶ Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not `to go' beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other.

⁷ For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?

⁸ Already are ye filled, already ye are become rich, ye have come to reign without us: yea and I would that ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

⁹ For, I think, God hath set forth us the apostles last of all, as men doomed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, both to angels and men.

¹⁰ We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye have glory, but we have dishonor.

¹¹ Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;

¹² and we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

¹³ being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, even until now.

¹⁴ I write not these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

¹⁵ For though ye have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet `have ye' not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel.

¹⁶ I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me.

¹⁷ For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall put you in remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every church.

¹⁸ Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.

¹⁹ But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will; and I will know, not the word of them that are puffed up, but the power.

²⁰ For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

²¹ What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

1 Corinthians 4:1-21 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

¹ Let a man so reckon us as officers of Christ, and stewards of the secrets of God,

² and as to the rest, it is required in the stewards that one may be found faithful,

³ and to me it is for a very little thing that by you I may be judged, or by man's day, but not even myself do I judge,

⁴ for of nothing to myself have I been conscious, but not in this have I been declared right -- and he who is discerning me is the Lord:

⁵ so, then, nothing before the time judge ye, till the Lord may come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of the darkness, and will manifest the counsels of the hearts, and then the praise shall come to each from God.

⁶ And these things, brethren, I did transfer to myself and to Apollos because of you, that in us ye may learn not to think above that which hath been written, that ye may not be puffed up one for one against the other,

⁷ for who doth make thee to differ? and what hast thou, that thou didst not receive? and if thou didst also receive, why dost thou glory as not having received?

⁸ Already ye are having been filled, already ye were rich, apart from us ye did reign, and I would also ye did reign, that we also with you may reign together,

⁹ for I think that God did set forth us the apostles last -- as appointed to death, because a spectacle we became to the world, and messengers, and men;

¹⁰ we `are' fools because of Christ, and ye wise in Christ; we `are' ailing, and ye strong; ye glorious, and we dishonoured;

¹¹ unto the present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and wander about,

¹² and labour, working with `our' own hands; being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer;

¹³ being spoken evil of, we entreat; as filth of the world we did become -- of all things an offscouring -- till now.

¹⁴ Not `as' putting you to shame do I write these things, but as my beloved children I do admonish,

¹⁵ for if a myriad of child-conductors ye may have in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus, through the good news, I -- I did beget you;

¹⁶ I call upon you, therefore, become ye followers of me;

¹⁷ because of this I sent to you Timotheus, who is my child, beloved and faithful in the Lord, who shall remind you of my ways in Christ, according as everywhere in every assembly I teach.

¹⁸ And as if I were not coming unto you certain were puffed up;

¹⁹ but I will come quickly unto you, if the Lord may will, and I will know not the word of those puffed up, but the power;

²⁰ for not in word is the reign of God, but in power?

²¹ what do ye wish? with a rod shall I come unto you, or in love, with a spirit also of meekness?

1 Corinthians 4:1-21 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

¹ Let a man so account of us as servants of Christ, and stewards of [the] mysteries of God.

² Here, further, it is sought in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

³ But for me it is the very smallest matter that I be examined of you or of man's day. Nor do I even examine myself.

⁴ For I am conscious of nothing in myself; but I am not justified by this: but he that examines me is the Lord.

⁵ So that do not judge anything before [the] time, until the Lord shall come, who shall also both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and shall make manifest the counsels of hearts; and then shall each have [his] praise from God.

⁶ Now these things, brethren, I have transferred, in their application, to myself and Apollos, for your sakes, that ye may learn in us the [lesson of] not [letting your thoughts go] above what is written, that ye may not be puffed up one for [such a] one against another.

⁷ For who makes thee to differ? and what hast thou which thou hast not received? but if also thou hast received, why boastest thou as not receiving?

⁸ Already ye are filled; already ye have been enriched; ye have reigned without us; and I would that ye reigned, that *we* also might reign with you.

⁹ For I think that God has set us the apostles for the last, as appointed to death. For we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men.

¹⁰ *We* [are] fools for Christ's sake, but *ye* prudent in Christ: *we* weak, but *ye* strong: *ye* glorious, but *we* in dishonour.

¹¹ To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are in nakedness, and buffeted, and wander without a home,

¹² and labour, working with our own hands. Railed at, we bless; persecuted, we suffer [it];

¹³ insulted, we entreat: we are become as [the] offscouring of the world, [the] refuse of all, until now.

¹⁴ Not [as] chiding do I write these things to you, but as my beloved children I admonish [you].

¹⁵ For if ye should have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus *I* have begotten you through the glad tidings.

¹⁶ I entreat you therefore, be my imitators.

¹⁷ For this reason I have sent to you Timotheus, who is my beloved and faithful child in [the] Lord, who shall put you in mind of my ways [as] they [are] in Christ, according as I teach everywhere in every assembly.

¹⁸ But some have been puffed up, as if I were not coming to you;

¹⁹ but I will come quickly to you, if the Lord will; and I will know, not the word of those that are puffed up, but the power.

²⁰ For the kingdom of God [is] not in word, but in power.

²¹ What will ye? that I come to you with a rod; or in love, and [in] a spirit of meekness?

1 Corinthians 4:1-21 World English Bible (WEB)

¹ So let a man think of us as Christ's servants, and stewards of God's mysteries.

² Here, moreover, it is required of stewards, that they be found faithful.

³ But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man's judgment. Yes, I don't judge my own self.

⁴ For I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord.

⁵ Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.

⁶ Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to think beyond the things which are written, that none of you be puffed up against one another.

⁷ For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn't receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

⁸ You are already filled. You have already become rich. You have come to reign without us. Yes, and I wish that you did reign, that we also might reign with you.

⁹ For, I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men.

¹⁰ We 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.

¹¹ Even to this present hour we hunger, thirst, are naked, are beaten, and have no certain dwelling place.

¹² We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.

¹³ Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now.

¹⁴ I don't write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

¹⁵ For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Gospel.

¹⁶ I beg you therefore, be imitators of me.

¹⁷ Because of this I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every assembly.

¹⁸ Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.

¹⁹ But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing. And I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.

²⁰ For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

²¹ What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

1 Corinthians 4:1-21 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

¹ Let us be judged as servants of Christ, and as those who are responsible for the secret things of God.

² And it is right for such servants to be safe persons.

³ But it is a small thing to me that I am judged by you or by man's judging; I am not even a judge of myself.

⁴ For I am not conscious of any wrong in myself; but this does not make me clear, for it is the Lord who is my judge.

⁵ For this reason let there be no judging before the time, till the Lord comes, who will make clear the secret things of the dark, and the designs of the heart; and then will every man have his praise from God.

⁶ My brothers, it is because of you that I have taken Apollos and myself as examples of these things, so that in us you might see that it is not wise to go farther than what is in the holy Writings, so that no one of you may be lifted up against his brother.

⁷ For who made you better than your brother? or what have you that has not been given to you? but if it has been given to you, what cause have you for pride, as if it had not been given to you?

⁸ For even now you are full, even now you have wealth, you have been made kings without us: truly, I would be glad if you were kings, so that we might be kings with you.

⁹ For it seems to me that God has put us the Apostles last of all, as men whose fate is death: for we are put on view to the world, and to angels, and to men.

¹⁰ We are made to seem foolish for Christ, but you are wise in Christ; we are feeble, but you are strong; you have glory, but we have shame.

¹¹ Even to this hour we are without food, drink, and clothing, we are given blows and have no certain resting-place;

¹² And with our hands we do the hardest work: when they give us curses we give blessings, when we undergo punishment we take it quietly;

¹³ When evil things are said about us we give gentle answers: we are made as the unclean things of the world, as that for which no one has any use, even till now.

¹⁴ I am not saying these things to put you to shame, but so that, as my dear children, you may see what is right.

¹⁵ For even if you had ten thousand teachers in Christ, you have not more than one father: for in Christ Jesus I have given birth to you through the good news.

¹⁶ So my desire is that you take me as your example.

¹⁷ For this cause I have sent Timothy to you, who is my dear and true child in the Lord; he will make clear to you my ways in Christ, even as I am teaching everywhere in every church.

¹⁸ Now some are full of pride, as if I was not coming to you.

¹⁹ But I will come to you in a short time, if it is pleasing to the Lord, and I will take note, not of the word of those who are full of pride, but of the power.

²⁰ For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

²¹ What is your desire? is my coming to be with punishment, or is it to be in love and a gentle spirit?

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 4 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Chapter 4

In this chapter the apostle,

I. Directs them how to account of him and his fellow-ministers, and therein, tacitly at least, reproves them for their unworthy carriage towards him (v. 1-6).
II. He cautions them against pride and self-elation, and hints at the many temptations they had to conceive too highly of themselves, and despise him and other apostles, because of the great diversity in their circumstances and condition (v. 7-13).
III. He challenges their regard to him as their father in Christ (v. 14-16).
IV. He tells them of his having sent Timothy to them, and of his own purpose to come to them shortly, however some among them had pleased themselves, and grown vain, upon the quite contrary expectation (v. 17-21).

1Cr 4:1-6

Here,

I. The apostle challenges the respect due to him on account of his character and office, in which many among them had at least very much failed: Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God (v. 1), though possibly others might have valued them too highly, by setting him up as the head of a party, and professing to be his disciples. In our opinion of ministers, as well as all other things, we should be careful to avoid extremes. Apostles themselves were,
- 1. Not to be overvalued, for they were ministers, not masters; stewards, not lords. They were servants of Christ, and no more, though they were servants of the highest rank, that had the care of his household, that were to provide food for the rest, and appoint and direct their work. Note, It is a very great abuse of their power, and highly criminal in common ministers, to lord it over their fellow-servants, and challenge authority over their faith or practice. For even apostles were but servants of Christ, employed in his work, and sent on his errand, and dispensers of the mysteries of God, or those truths which had been hidden from the world in ages and generations past. They had no authority to propagate their own fancies, but to spread Christian faith.
- 2. Apostles were not to be undervalued; for, though they were ministers, they were ministers of Christ. The character and dignity of their master put an honour on them. Though they are but stewards, they are not stewards of the common things of the world, but of divine mysteries. They had a great trust, and for that reason had an honourable office. They were stewards of God's household, high-stewards in his kingdom of grace. They did not set up for masters, but they deserved respect and esteem in this honourable service. Especially,
II. When they did their duty in it, and approved themselves faithful: It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful (v. 2), trustworthy. The stewards in Christ's family must appoint what he hath appointed. They must not set their fellow-servants to work for themselves. They must not require any thing from them without their Master's warrant. They must not feed them with the chaff of their own inventions, instead of the wholesome food of Christian doctrine and truth. They must teach what he hath commanded, and not the doctrines and commandments of men. They must be true to the interest of their Lord, and consult his honour. Note, The ministers of Christ should make it their hearty and continual endeavour to approve themselves trustworthy; and when they have the testimony of a good conscience, and the approbation of their Master, they must slight the opinions and censures of their fellow-servants: But with me, saith the apostle, it is a small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment, v. 3. Indeed, reputation and esteem among men are a good step towards usefulness in the ministry; and Paul's whole argument upon this head shows he had a just concern for his own reputation. But he that would make it his chief endeavour to please men would hardly approve himself a faithful servant of Christ, Gal. 1:10. He that would be faithful to Christ must despise the censures of men for his sake. He must look upon it as a very little thing (if his Lord approves him) what judgment men form of him. They may think very meanly or very hardly of him, while he is doing his duty; but it is not by their judgment that he must stand or fall. And happy is it for faithful ministers that they have a more just and candid judge than their fellow-servants; one who knows and pities their imperfections, though he has none of his own. It is better to fall into the hands of God than into the hands of men, 2 Sa. 24:14. The best of men are too apt to judge rashly, and harshly, and unjustly; but his judgment is always according to truth. It is a comfort that men are not to be our final judges. Nay, we are not thus to judge ourselves: "Yea, I judge not myself. For though I know nothing by myself, cannot charge myself with unfaithfulness, yet I am not thereby justified, this will not clear me of the charge; but he that judgeth me is the Lord. It is his judgment that must determine me. By his sentence I must abide. Such I am as he shall find and judge me to be.' Note, It is not judging well of ourselves, justifying ourselves, that will prove us safe and happy. Nothing will do this but the acceptance and approbation of our sovereign Judge. Not he that commendeth himself is approved, but he whom the Lord commendeth, 2 Co. 10:18.
III. The apostle takes occasion hence to caution the Corinthians against censoriousness-the forward and severe judging of others: Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, v. 5. It is judging out of season, and judging at an adventure. He is not to be understood of judging by persons in authority, within the verge of their office, nor of private judging concerning facts that are notorious; but of judging persons' future state, or the secret springs and principles of their actions, or about facts doubtful in themselves. To judge in these cases, and give decisive sentence, is to assume the seat of God and challenge his prerogative. Note, How bold a sinner is the forward and severe censurer! How ill-timed and arrogant are his censures! But there is one who will judge the censurer, and those he censures, without prejudice, passion, or partiality. And there is a time coming when men cannot fail judging aright concerning themselves and others, by following his judgment. This should make them now cautious of judging others, and careful in judging themselves. There is a time coming when the Lord will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts-deeds of darkness that are now done in secret, and all the secret inclinations, purposes, and intentions, of the hidden man of the heart. Note, There is a day coming that will dispel the darkness and lay open the face of the deep, will fetch men's secret sins into open day and discover the secrets of their hearts: The day shall declare it. The judge will bring these things to light. The Lord Jesus Christ will manifest the counsels of the heart, of all hearts. Note, The Lord Jesus Christ must have the knowledge of the counsels of the heart, else he could not make them manifest. This is a divine prerogative (Jer. 17:10), and yet it is what our Saviour challenges to himself in a very peculiar manner (Rev. 2:23): All the churches shall know that I am HE who searcheth the reins and hearts, and I will give to every one of you according to your works. Note, We should be very careful how we censure others, when we have to do with a Judge from whom we cannot conceal ourselves. Others do not lie open to our notice, but we lie all open to his: and, when he shall come to judge, every man shall have praise of God. Every man, that is, every one qualified for it, every one who has done well. Though none of God's servants can deserve any thing from him, though there be much that is blamable even in their best services, yet shall their fidelity be commended and crowned by him; and should they be condemned, reproached, or vilified, by their fellow-servants, he will roll away all such unjust censures and reproaches, and show them in their own amiable light. Note, Christians may well be patient under unjust censures, when they know such a day as this is coming, especially when they have their consciences testifying to their integrity. But how fearful should they be of loading any with reproaches now whom their common Judge shall hereafter commend.
IV. The apostle here lets us into the reason why he had used his own name and that of Apollos in this discourse of his. He had done it in a figure, and he had done it for their sakes. He chose rather to mention his own name, and the name of a faithful fellow-labourer, than the names of any heads of factions among them, that hereby he might avoid what would provoke, and so procure for his advice the greater regard. Note, Ministers should use prudence in their advices and admonitions, but especially in their reproofs, lest they lose their end. The advice the apostle would by this means inculcate was that they might learn not to think of men above what is written (above what he had been writing), nor be puffed up for one against another (v. 6). Apostles were not to be esteemed other than planters or waterers in God's husbandry, master-builders in his building, stewards of his mysteries, and servants of Christ. And common ministers cannot bear these characters in the same sense that apostles did. Note, We must be very careful not to transfer the honour and authority of the Master to his servant. We must call no man Master on earth; one is our Master, even Christ, Mt. 23:8, 10. We must not think of them above what is written. Note, The word of God is the best rule by which to judge concerning men. And again, judging rightly concerning men, and not judging more highly of them than is fit, is one way to prevent quarrels and contentions in the churches. Pride commonly lies at the bottom of these quarrels. Self-conceit contributes very much to our immoderate esteem of our teachers, as well as ourselves. Our commendation of our own taste and judgment commonly goes along with our unreasonable applause, and always with a factious adherence to one teacher, in opposition to others that may be equally faithful and well qualified. But to think modestly of ourselves, and not above what is written of our teachers, is the most effectual means to prevent quarrels and contests, sidings and parties, in the church. We shall not be puffed up for one against another if we remember that they are all instruments employed by God in his husbandry and building, and endowed by him with their various talents and qualifications.

1Cr 4:7-13

Here the apostle improves the foregoing hint to a caution against pride and self-conceit, and sets forth the temptations the Corinthians had to despise him, from the difference of their circumstances.

I. He cautions them against pride and self-conceit by this consideration, that all the distinction made among them was owing to God: Who maketh thee to differ? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? v. 7. Here the apostle turns his discourse to the ministers who set themselves at the head of these factions, and did but too much encourage and abet the people in those feuds. What had they to glory in, when all their peculiar gifts were from God? They had received them, and could not glory in them as their own, without wronging God. At the time when they reflected on them to feed their vanity, they should have considered them as so many debts and obligations to divine bounty and grace. But it may be taken as a general maxim: We have no reason to be proud of our attainments, enjoyments, or performances; all that we have, or are, or do, that is good, is owing to the free and rich grace of God. Boasting is for ever excluded. There is nothing we have that we can properly call our own: all is received from God. It is foolish in us therefore, and injurious to him, to boast of it; those who receive all should be proud of nothing, Ps. 115:1. Beggars and dependents may glory in their supports; but to glory in themselves is to be proud at once of meanness, impotence, and want. Note, Due attention to our obligations to divine grace would cure us of arrogance and self-conceit.
II. He presses the duty of humility upon them by a very smart irony, or at least reproves them for their pride and self-conceit: "You are full, you are rich, you have reigned as kings without us. You have not only a sufficiency, but an affluence, of spiritual gifts; nay, you can make them the matter of your glory without us, that is, in my absence, and without having any need of me.' There is a very elegant gradation from sufficiency to wealth, and thence to royalty, to intimate how much the Corinthians were elated by the abundance of their wisdom and spiritual gifts, which was a humour that prevailed among them while the apostle was away from them, and made them forget what an interest he had in all. See how apt pride is to overrate benefits and overlook the benefactor, to swell upon its possessions and forget from whom they come; nay, it is apt to behold them in a magnifying-glass: "You have reigned as kings,' says the apostle, "that is, in your own conceit; and I would to God you did reign, that we also might reign with you. I wish you had as much of the true glory of a Christian church upon you as you arrogate to yourselves. I should come in then for a share of the honour: I should reign with you: I should not be overlooked by you as now I am, but valued and regarded as a minister of Christ, and a very useful instrument among you.' Note, Those do not commonly know themselves best who think best of themselves, who have the highest opinion of themselves. The Corinthians might have reigned, and the apostle with them, if they had not been blown up with an imaginary royalty. Note, Pride is a great prejudice to our improvement. He is stopped from growing wiser or better who thinks himself at the height; not only full, but rich, nay, a king.
III. He comes to set forth his own circumstances and those of the other apostles, and compares them with theirs.
- 1. To set forth the case of the apostles: For I think it hath pleased God to set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. Paul and his fellow-apostles were exposed to great hardships. Never were any men in this world so hunted and worried. They carried their lives in their hands: God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death, v. 9. An allusion is made to some of the bloody spectacles in the Roman amphitheatres, where men were exposed to fight with wild beasts, or to cut one another to pieces, to make diversion for the populace, where the victor did not escape with his life, though he should destroy his adversary, but was only reserved for another combat, and must be devoured or cut in pieces at last; so that such wretched criminals (for they were ordinarily condemned persons that were thus exposed) might very properly be called epithanatioi-persons devoted or appointed to death. They are said to be set forth last, because the meridian gladiators, those who combated one another in the after-part of the day, were most exposed, being obliged to fight naked; so that (as Seneca says, epist. 7) this was perfect butchery, and those exposed to beasts in the morning were treated mercifully in comparison with these. The general meaning is that the apostles were exposed to continual danger of death, and that of the worst kinds, in the faithful discharge of their office. God had set them forth, brought them into view, as the Roman emperors brought their combatants into the arena, the place of show, though not for the same purposes. They did it to please the populace, and humour their own vanity, and sometimes a much worse principle. The apostles were shown to manifest the power of divine grace, to confirm the truth of their mission and doctrine, and to propagate religion in the world. These were ends worthy of God-noble views, fit to animate them to the combat. But they had like difficulties to encounter, and were in a manner as much exposed as these miserable Roman criminals. Note, The office of an apostle was, as an honourable, so a hard and hazardous one: "For we are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men, v. 9. A show. We are brought into the theatre, brought out to the public view of the world. Angels and men are witnesses to our persecutions, sufferings, patience, and magnanimity. They all see that we suffer for our fidelity to Christ, and how we suffer; how great and imminent are our dangers, and how bravely we encounter them; how sharp our sufferings, and how patiently we endure them, by the power of divine grace and our Christian principles. Ours is hard work, but honourable; it is hazardous, but glorious. God will have honour from us, religion will be credited by us. The world cannot but see and wonder at our undaunted resolution, our invincible patience and constancy.' And how contentedly could they be exposed, both to sufferings and scorn, for the honour of their Master! Note, The faithful ministers and disciples of Christ should contentedly undergo any thing for his sake and honour.
- 2. He compares his own case with that of the Corinthians: "We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honourable, but we are despised, v. 10. We are fools for Christ's sake; such in common account, and we are well content to be so accounted. We can pass for fools in the world, and be despised as such, so that the wisdom of God and the honour of the gospel may by this means be secured and displayed.' Note, Faithful ministers can bear being despised, so that the wisdom of God and the power of his grace be thereby displayed. "But you are wise in Christ. You have the fame of being wise and learned Christians, and you do not a little value yourselves upon it. We are under disgrace for delivering the plain truths of the gospel, and in as plain a manner: you are in reputation for your eloquence and human wisdom, which among many make you pass for wise men in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. We are suffering for Christ's sake' (so being weak plainly signifies, 2 Co. 12:10), "when you are in easy and flourishing circumstances.' Note, All Christians are not alike exposed. Some suffer greater hardships than others who are yet engaged in the same warfare. The standard-bearers in an army are most struck at. So ministers in a time of persecution are commonly the first and greatest sufferers. Or else, "We pass upon the world for persons of but mean endowments, mere striplings in Christianity; but you look upon yourselves, and are looked upon by others, as men, as those of a much more advanced growth and confirmed strength.' Note, Those are not always the greatest proficients in Christianity who think thus of themselves, or pass for such upon others. It is but too easy and common for self-love to commit such a mistake. The Corinthians may think themselves, and be esteemed by others, as wiser and stronger men in Christ than the apostles themselves. But O! how gross is the mistake!
IV. He enters into some particularities of their sufferings: Even to this present hour; that is, after all the service we have been doing among you and other churches, we hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place, and labour, working with our own hands, v. 11, 12. Nay, they were made as the filth of the world, and the off-scouring of all things, v. 13. They were forced to labour with their own hands to get subsistence, and had so much, and so much greater, business to mind, that they could not attend enough to this, to get a comfortable livelihood, but were exposed to hunger, thirst, and nakedness-many times wanted meat, and drink, and clothes. They were driven about the world, without having any fixed abode, any stated habitation. Poor circumstances indeed, for the prime ministers of our Saviour's kingdom to have no house nor home, and to be destitute of food and raiment! But yet no poorer than his who had not where to lay his head, Lu. 9:58. But O glorious charity and devotion, that would carry them through all these hardships! How ardently did they love God, how vehemently did they thirst for the salvation of souls! Theirs was voluntary, it was pleasing poverty. They thought they had a rich amends for all the outward good things they wanted, if they might but serve Christ and save souls. Nay, though they were made the filth of the world, and the off-scouring of all things. They were treated as men not fit to live, perikatharmata. It is reasonably thought by the critics that an allusion is here made to a common custom of many heathen nations, to offer men in sacrifice in a time of pestilence, or other like grievous calamity. These were ordinarily the vilest of men, persons of the lowest rank and worst character. Thus, in the first ages, Christians were counted the source of all public calamities, and were sacrificed to the people's rage, if not to appease their angry deities. And apostles could not meet with better usage. They suffered in their persons and characters as the very worst and vilest men, as the most proper to make such a sacrifice: or else as the very dirt of the world, that was to be swept away: nay, as the off-scouring of all things, the dross, the filings of all things. They were the common-sewer into which all the reproaches of the world were to be poured. To be the off-scouring of any thing is bad, but what is it to be the off-scouring of all things! How much did the apostles resemble their Master, and fill up that which was behind of his afflictions, for his body's sake, which is the church! Col. 1:24. They suffered for him, and they suffered after his example. Thus poor and despised was he in his life and ministry. And every one who would be faithful in Christ Jesus must prepare for the same poverty and contempt. Note, Those may be very dear to God, and honourable in his esteem, whom men may think unworthy to live, and use and scorn as the very dirt and refuse of the world. God seeth not as man seeth, 1 Sa. 16:7.
V. We have here the apostles' behaviour under all; and the return they made for this mal-treatment: Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we entreat, v. 12, 13. They returned blessings for reproaches, and entreaties and kind exhortations for the rudest slanders and defamation, and were patient under the sharpest persecutions. Note, The disciples of Christ, and especially his ministers, should hold fast their integrity, and keep a good conscience, whatever opposition of hardships they meet with from the world. Whatever they suffer from men, they must follow the example, and fulfil the will and precepts, of their Lord. They must be content, with him and for him, to be despised and abused.

1Cr 4:14-16

Here Paul challenges their regard to him as their father. He tells them,

1. That what he had written was not for their reproach, but admonition; not with the gall of an enemy, but the bowels of a father (v. 14): I write not to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. Note, In reproving for sin, we should have a tender regard to the reputation, as well as the reformation, of the sinner. We should aim to distinguish between them and their sins, and take care not to discover any spite against them ourselves, nor expose them to contempt and reproach in the world. Reproofs that expose commonly do but exasperate, when those that kindly and affectionately warn are likely to reform. When the affections of a father mingle with the admonitions of a minister, it is to be hoped that they may at once melt and mend; but to lash like an enemy or executioner will provoke and render obstinate. To expose to open shame is but the way to render shameless.
2. He shows them upon what foundation he claimed paternal relation to them, and called them his sons. They might have other pedagogues or instructors, but he was their father; for in Christ Jesus he had begotten them by the gospel, v. 15. They were made Christians by his ministry. He had laid the foundation of a church among them. Others could only build upon it. Whatever other teachers they had, he was their spiritual father. He first brought them off from pagan idolatry to the faith of the gospel and the worship of the true and living God. He was the instrument of their new birth, and therefore claimed the relation of a father to them, and felt the bowels of a father towards them. Note, There commonly is, and always ought to be, an endeared affection between faithful ministers and those they beget in Christ Jesus through the gospel. They should love like parents and children.
3. We have here the special advice he urges on them: Wherefore I beseech you be you followers of me, v. 16. This he elsewhere explains and limits (ch. 11:1): "Be you followers of me, as I also am of Christ. Follow me as far as I follow Christ. Come up as close as you can to my example in those instances wherein I endeavour to copy after his pattern. Be my disciples, as far as I manifest myself to be a faithful minister and disciple of Christ, and no further. I would not have you be my disciples, but his. But I hope I have approved myself a faithful steward of the mysteries of Christ, and a faithful servant of my master Christ; so far follow me, and tread in my steps.' Note, Ministers should so live that their people may take pattern from them, and live after their copy. They should guide them by their lives as well as their lips, go before them in the way to heaven, and not content themselves with pointing it out. Note, As ministers are to set a pattern, others must take it. They should follow them as far as they are satisfied that they follow Christ in faith and practice.

1Cr 4:17-21