The Nature of True Apostleship

4 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants^(A) of Christ and as those entrusted^(B) with the mysteries^(C) God has revealed.

¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,^(A) as faithful^(B) stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

⁷ Since an overseer^(A) manages God’s household,^(B) he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.^(C)

⁹ They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.^(A)

⁵ For what we preach is not ourselves,^(A) but Jesus Christ as Lord,^(B) and ourselves as your servants^(C) for Jesus’ sake.

²⁵ I have become its servant^(A) by the commission God gave me^(B) to present to you the word of God^(C) in its fullness— ²⁶ the mystery^(D) that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known^(E) among the Gentiles the glorious riches^(F) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,^(G) the hope of glory.

¹⁹ Pray also for me,^(A) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly^(B) make known the mystery^(C) of the gospel,

² My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart^(A) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery^(B) of God, namely, Christ,

¹⁶ For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach.^(A) Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! ¹⁷ If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward;^(B) if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.^{(C) 18} What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge,^(D) and so not make full use of my rights^(E) as a preacher of the gospel.