1 Corinthians 4:6-17

New International Version

⁶ Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.”^(A) Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.^{(B) 7} For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?^(C) And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

⁸ Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich!^(D) 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! ⁹ For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die^(E) in the arena. We have been made a spectacle^(F) to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. ¹⁰ We are fools for Christ,^(G) but you are so wise in Christ!^(H) We are weak, but you are strong!^(I) You are honored, we are dishonored! ¹¹ To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.^{(J) 12} We work hard with our own hands.^(K) When we are cursed, we bless;^(L) when we are persecuted,^(M) we endure it; ¹³ when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage^(N) of the world—right up to this moment.

Paul’s Appeal and Warning

¹⁴ I am writing this not to shame you^(O) but to warn you as my dear children.^{(P) 15} Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father^(Q) through the gospel.^{(R) 16} Therefore I urge you to imitate me.^{(S) 17} For this reason I have sent to you^(T) Timothy,^(U) my son^(V) 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.^(W)