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)

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Faithful Servants of the Messiah

Think of us as servants of the Messiah[a] and as servant managers entrusted with God’s secrets. Now it is required of servant managers that each one should prove to be trustworthy.[b] It is a very small thing to me that I should be examined by you or by any human court. In fact, I don’t even evaluate myself. For my conscience is clear,[c] but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who examines me. Therefore, stop judging prematurely, before the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is now hidden in darkness and reveal the motives of our hearts. Then each person will receive his praise from God.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 4:1 Or Christ
  2. 1 Corinthians 4:2 Or should be found faithful
  3. 1 Corinthians 4:4 Lit. I don’t know of anything against myself