1 T hink of us as servants who are owned by Christ. It is our job to share the secrets of God.

So then, let us be looked upon as ministering servants of Christ and stewards (trustees) of the mysteries (the secret purposes) of God.

2 A servant must be faithful to his owner. This is expected of him.

Moreover, it is required of stewards that a man should be found faithful.

3 I t is not the most important thing to me what you or any other people think of me. Even what I think of myself does not mean much.

But it matters very little to me that I should be put on trial by you, 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.

4 A s for me, my heart tells me I am not guilty of anything. But that does not prove I am free from guilt. It is the Lord Who looks into my life and says what is wrong.

I 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 Who examines and judges me.

5 D o not be quick to say who is right or wrong. Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring into the light the things that are hidden in men’s hearts. He will show why men have done these things. Every man will receive from God the thanks he should have.

So do not make any hasty or premature judgments before the time when the Lord comes, for He will both bring to light the secret things that are in darkness and disclose and expose the aims (motives and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his commendation from God.

6 C hristian brothers, I have used Apollos and myself to show you what I am talking about. This is to help you so you will not think more of men than what God’s Word will allow. Never think more of one of God’s servants than another.

Now I have applied all this to myself and Apollos for your sakes, brethren, so that from what I have said of us, you may learn 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 against another.

7 W ho made you better than your brother? Or what do you have that has not been given to you? If God has given you everything, why do you have pride? Why do you act as if He did not give it to you?

For who separates you from the others ? What have you that was not given to you? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you had not received ?

8 Y ou are full. You are rich. You live like kings and we do not. I wish you were kings and we could be leaders with you.

'> You behave as if] you are already filled and think you have enough! Already you have become rich!, 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!

9 I think that God has made a show of us missionaries. We are the last and the least among men. We are like men waiting to be put to death. The whole world, men and angels alike, are watching us.

For it seems to me that God has made an exhibit of us apostles, exposing us to view last sentenced to death. For we have become a spectacle to the world with both men and angels.

10 W e are thought of as fools because of Christ. But you are thought of as wise Christians! We are weak. You are strong. People respect you. They have no respect for us.

We are fools on account of Christ and for His sake, but you are so amazingly wise and prudent in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are highly esteemed, but we are in disrepute and contempt!

11 T o this hour we are hungry and thirsty, and our clothes are worn out. People hurt us. We have no homes.

To this hour we have gone both hungry and thirsty; we '> habitually] wear but one undergarment; we are roughly knocked about and wander around homeless.

12 W e work with our hands to make a living. We speak kind words to those who speak against us. When people hurt us, we say nothing.

And we still toil unto weariness, 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.

13 W hen people say bad things about us, we answer with kind words. People think of us as dirt that is worth nothing and as the worst thing on earth to this day. Follow Paul’s Way of Life

When we are slandered and defamed, we answer softly and bring comfort. We have been made and are now the rubbish and filth of the world.

14 I do not write these things to shame you. I am doing this to help you know what you should do. You are my much-loved children.

I do not write this to shame you, but to warn and counsel you as my beloved children.

15 Y ou may have 10, 000 Christian teachers. But remember, I am the only father you have. You became Christians when I preached the Good News to you.

After 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).

16 S o I ask you with all my heart to follow the way I live.

So I urge and implore you, be imitators of me.

17 F or this reason I have sent Timothy to you. He is my much-loved child and a faithful Christian. He will tell you how I act as a Christian. This is the kind of life I teach in the churches wherever I go.

For 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.

18 S ome of you are full of pride. You think that I am not coming to visit you.

Some of you have become conceited and arrogant and pretentious, counting on my not coming to you.

19 I f the Lord wants me to, I will come soon. I will find out when I come if these proud people have God’s power, or if they just use a lot of big words.

But I will come to you 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).

20 T he holy nation of God is not made up of words. It is made up of power.

For the kingdom of God consists of and is based on not talk but power ( moral power and excellence of soul).

21 W hat do you want? Do you want me to come with a stick to whip you? Or do you want me to come with love and a gentle spirit?

Now which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of correction, or with love and in a spirit of gentleness?