1 Corinthians 4
ESV Parallel BSB [BSB CSB ESV HCS KJV ISV NAS NET NIV NLT GRK]
English Standard VersionBerean Study Bible
1This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.1So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.2Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.3I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
4For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.4My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.
5Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
6I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.6Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another.
7For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?7For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
8Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!8Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings. How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you!
9For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.9For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men.
10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.10We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.
11To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless,11To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.
12and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;12We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
13when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.13when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
14I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.14I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
15For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.15Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
16I urge you, then, be imitators of me.16Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
17That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.17That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church.
18Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.18Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
19But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power.19But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have.
20For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.20For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
21What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?21Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.The Berean Bible (Berean Study Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved.
1 Corinthians 3
Top of Page
Top of Page