The Nature of True Apostleship

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. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience(D) is clear, but that does not make me innocent.(E) It is the Lord who judges me.(F) Therefore judge nothing(G) before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes.(H) He will bring to light(I) what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.(J)

Read full chapter

The Faithful Manager

A person should consider us in this way: as servants(A) of Christ and managers(B) of God’s mysteries.(C) In this regard, it is expected of managers that each one of them be found faithful.(D) It is of little(E) importance to me that I should be evaluated(F) by you or by any human court.[a] In fact, I don’t even evaluate myself. For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified(G) by this. The One who evaluates me is the Lord. Therefore don’t judge(H) anything prematurely, before the Lord comes,(I) who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.(J)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 4:3 Lit a human day