1 Corinthians 4:8-21

New International Version

⁸Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich!^(A) You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! ⁹For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die^(B) in the arena. We have been made a spectacle^(C) to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. ¹⁰We are fools for Christ,^(D) but you are so wise in Christ!^(E) We are weak, but you are strong!^(F) You are honored, we are dishonored! ¹¹To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.^(G) ¹²We work hard with our own hands.^(H) When we are cursed, we bless;^(I) when we are persecuted,^(J) we endure it; ¹³when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage^(K) of the world—right up to this moment.

Paul’s Appeal and Warning

¹⁴I am writing this not to shame you^(L) but to warn you as my dear children.^(M) ¹⁵Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father^(N) through the gospel.^(O) ¹⁶Therefore I urge you to imitate me.^(P) ¹⁷For this reason I have sent to you^(Q) Timothy,^(R) my son^(S) whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.^(T)

¹⁸Some of you have become arrogant,^(U) as if I were not coming to you.^(V) ¹⁹But I will come to you very soon,^(W) if the Lord is willing,^(X) and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. ²⁰For the kingdom of God is not a matter of^(Y) talk but of power.^(Z) ²¹What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline,^(AA) or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?