1 Corinthians 3:16-4:5

New International Version

¹⁶ Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple^(A) and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?^{(B) 17} If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

¹⁸ Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise^(C) by the standards of this age,^(D) you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness^(E) in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”^[a];^{(F) 20} and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”^{[b](G) 21} So then, no more boasting about human leaders!^(H) All things are yours,^{(I) 22} whether Paul or Apollos^(J) or Cephas^[c](K) or the world or life or death or the present or the future^(L)—all are yours, ²³ and you are of Christ,^(M) and Christ is of God.

The Nature of True Apostleship

4 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants^(N) of Christ and as those entrusted^(O) with the mysteries^(P) God has revealed. ² Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. ³ I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. ⁴ My conscience^(Q) is clear, but that does not make me innocent.^(R) It is the Lord who judges me.^{(S) 5} Therefore judge nothing^(T) before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes.^(U) He will bring to light^(V) what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.^(W)