1Let a man so account of us , as of ministers of Christ , and stewards of the mysteries of God . 2Here , moreover , it is required in stewards , that a man be found faithful . 3But 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 . 4For I know nothing against myself ; yet am I not hereby justified : but he that judgeth me is the Lord . 5Wherefore 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 .
The Danger of Pride
6Now 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 . 7For 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 ? 8Already 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 . 9For , 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 . 10We 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. 11Even unto this present hour we both hunger , and thirst , and are naked , and are buffeted , and have no certain dwelling-place; 12and we toil , working with our own hands : being reviled , we bless ; being persecuted , we endure; 13being defamed, we entreat : we are made as the filth of the world , the offscouring of all things , even until now .
Paul's Fatherly Role
14I write not these things to shame you , but to admonish you as my beloved children . 15For though ye have ten thousand tutors in Christ , yet have ye not many fathers ; for in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel . 16I beseech you therefore , be ye imitators of me . 17For 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 . 18Now some are puffed up , as though I were not coming to you . 19But 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 . 20For the kingdom of God is not in word , but in power . 21What will ye ? shall I come unto you with a rod , or in love and a spirit of gentleness ?