4SO THEN, let us [apostles] be looked upon as ministering servants of Christ and stewards (trustees) of the mysteries (the secret purposes) of God.G3049G444G3779G3049G2248G5613G5257G5547G2532G3623G3466G23162Moreover, it is [essentially] required of stewards that a man should be found faithful [proving himself worthy of trust].G3739G1161G3063G2212G1722G3623G2443G5100G2147G41033But [as for me personally] it matters very little to me that I should be put on trial by you [on this point], {and} that you or any other human tribunal should investigate {and} question {and} cross-question me. I do not even put myself on trial {and} judge myself.G1161G1698G2076G1519G1646G2443G350G5259G5216G2228G5259G442G2250G235G350G3761G16834I am not conscious of anything against myself, {and} I feel blameless; but I am not vindicated {and} acquitted before God on that account. It is the Lord [Himself] Who examines {and} judges me.G1063G4894G3762G1683G235G1344G3756G1722G5129G1344G1161G350G3165G2076G29625So do not make any hasty {or} premature judgments before the time when the Lord comes [again], for He will both bring to light the secret things that are [now hidden] in darkness and disclose {and} expose the [secret] aims (motives and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his [due] commendation from God.G5620G2919G3361G5100G4253G2540G2193G302G2962G2064G3739G2532G5461G2927G4655G2532G5319G1012G2588G2532G5119G1538G1096G1868G575G23166Now I have applied all this [about parties and factions] to myself and Apollos for your sakes, brethren, so that from what I have said of us [as illustrations], you may learn [to think of men in accordance with Scripture and] not to go beyond that which is written, that none of you may be puffed up {and} inflated with pride {and} boast in favor of one [minister and teacher] against another.G1161G5023G80G3345G1519G1683G2532G625G1223G5209G2443G3129G1722G2254G3361G5426G5228G2443G3739G1125G3363G1520G5448G5228G1520G2596G20877For who separates you from the others [as a faction leader]? [Who makes you superior and sets you apart from another, giving you the preeminence?] What have you that was not given to you? If then you received it [from someone], why do you boast as if you had not received [but had gained it by your own efforts]?G1063G5101G1252G4571G1252G1161G5101G2192G3739G2983G3756G2983G1161G1499G2983G5101G2744G5613G2983G3361G29838[You behave as if] you are already filled {and} think you have enough [you are full and content, feeling no need of anything more]! Already you have become rich [in spiritual gifts and graces]! [Without any counsel or instruction from us, in your conceit], you have ascended your thrones {and} come into your kingdom without including us! And would that it were true {and} that you did reign, so that we might be sharing the kingdom with you!G2235G2075G2880G2235G4147G936G5565G2257G2532G3785G1065G936G2443G2249G2532G4821G52139For it seems to me that God has made an exhibit of us apostles, exposing us to view last [of all, like men in a triumphal procession who are] sentenced to death [and displayed at the end of the line]. For we have become a spectacle to the world [a show in the world's amphitheater] with both men and angels [as spectators].G1063G1380G3754G2316G584G2248G652G2078G5613G1935G3754G1096G2302G2889G2532G32G2532G44410We are [looked upon as] fools on account of Christ {and} for His sake, but you are [supposedly] so amazingly wise {and} prudent in Christ! We are weak, but you are [so very] strong! You are highly esteemed, but we are in disrepute {and} contempt!G2249G3474G1223G5547G1223G1161G5210G5429G1722G5547G2249G772G1161G5210G2478G5210G1741G1161G2249G82011To this hour we have gone both hungry and thirsty; we [habitually] wear but one undergarment [and shiver in the cold]; we are roughly knocked about and wander around homeless.G891G737G5610G3983G2532G3983G2532G1372G2532G1130G2532G2852G2532G79012And we still toil unto weariness [for our living], working hard with our own hands. When men revile us [wound us with an accursed sting], we bless them. When we are persecuted, we take it patiently {and} endure it.G2532G2872G2038G2398G5495G3058G2127G1377G43013When we are slandered {and} defamed, we [try to] answer softly {and} bring comfort. We have been made and are now the rubbish {and} filth of the world [the offscouring of all things, the scum of the earth].G987G3870G1096G5613G4027G2889G4067G3956G2193G73714I do not write this to shame you, but to warn {and} counsel you as my beloved children.G1125G3756G5023G1788G5209G235G5613G3450G27G5043G356015After all, though you should have ten thousand teachers (guides to direct you) in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the glad tidings (the Gospel).G1063G1437G2192G3463G3807G1722G5547G235G3756G4183G3962G1063G1722G5547G2424G1473G1080G5209G1223G209816So I urge {and} implore you, be imitators of me.G3767G3870G5209G1096G3402G345017For this very cause I sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and trustworthy child in the Lord, who will recall to your minds my methods of proceeding {and} course of conduct {and} way of life in Christ, such as I teach everywhere in each of the churches.G1223G5124G1223G3992G5213G5095G3739G2076G3450G27G5043G2532G4103G1722G2962G3739G363G5209G363G3450G3598G3588G1722G5547G2531G1321G3837G1722G3956G157718Some of you have become conceited {and} arrogant {and} pretentious, counting on my not coming to you.G1161G5100G5448G5613G3450G2064G3361G2064G4314G520919But I will come to you [and] shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will perceive {and} understand not what the talk of these puffed up {and} arrogant spirits amount to, but their force (the moral power and excellence of soul they really possess).G1161G2064G4314G5209G5030G1437G2962G2309G2532G1097G3756G3056G5448G235G141120For the kingdom of God consists of {and} is based on not talk but power (moral power and excellence of soul).G1063G932G2316G3756G1722G3056G235G1722G141121Now which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of correction, or with love and in a spirit of gentleness?G5101G2309G2064G4314G5209G1722G4464G2228G1722G26G5037G4151G4236
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