1 Thus a person must count us as servants of Christ {Christos, Sovereign Master} and as stewards of God’s {Theos, Gracious Revealer} mysteries.
2 In this matter, what is required among the stewards {oikonomoi: Entrusted Managers} is that a person be found faithful {pistos: Trustworthy Character}.
3 But to me it is a very small thing that I should be examined {anakrino: weighed and tested} by you or by any human day {hemera: human judgment}; but I do not even examine myself.
4 For I am aware of nothing against myself, yet I am not thereby acquitted {dedikaiomai: cleared of charge}; rather, the One who judges me is the Lord {Kyrios, Supreme Judge}.
5 Therefore do not judge anything ahead of the appointed time, but wait until the Lord {Kyrios, Righteous Judge} comes. He will bring into the light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the purposes of the hearts; then praise will come to each one from God {Theos, Giver Of Praise}.
6 But these things, brothers, I have applied to myself and Apollos {Apollon: co-worker example} for your sake, so that in us you may learn the rule not to go beyond what is written, so that none of you may be puffed up {physiousthe: inflated with pride} for one against another.
7 Who then is it that distinguishes {diakrinei: sets apart} you from another? And what do you have that you did not receive {elabes: freely given}? But if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as though you had not received it?
8 Already you are filled {kekoresmenoi: completely satisfied}; already you have become rich; without us you have reigned as kings {ebasileusate: assuming royal status}. Indeed, I wish that you truly were reigning, so that we also might reign together with you.
9 For I think that God {Theos, Sovereign Arranger} has displayed us, the apostles, at the very end, like men condemned to death, because we have become a spectacle {theatron: public display} to the world, to angels, and to men.
10 We are fools for the sake of Christ {Christos, Suffering Messiah}, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honored, but we are despised {atimoi: treated without respect}.
11 Up to this very hour {horas: current time} we are hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed and struck, and without a settled home {astatoumen: no fixed residence}.
12 And we labor {kopiomen: strenuous ongoing effort}, working with our own hands {chersin: personal manual work}; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure.
13 Being slandered, we entreat {parakaloumen: earnest appeal}; as the scum of the world, we have become the refuse {peripsema: thoroughly discarded} of all things up to this present time.
14 I am not writing these things to shame you, but rather, as my beloved children {agapeta: deeply loved}, I am admonishing {noutheton: gentle corrective instruction} you.
15 For even if you have ten thousand instructors in Christ {Christos, Sphere Of New Birth}, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus {Iesous, Saving Lord} I have begotten you through the gospel.
16 Therefore I urge {parakalo: strong appeal} you: become imitators {mimetai: pattern followers} of me.
17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord {Kyrios, Faithful Master}, who will remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus {Christos Iesous, Pattern of Life}, just as I teach everywhere in every church.
18 Some have become arrogant {ephusiothesan: inflated with pride}, as though I were not coming to you {hymas: the gathered church}.
19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord {Kyrios, Sovereign Master} wills, and I will find out not the words of those who are puffed up {pephysiōmenōn: arrogant, inflated}, but the power.
20 For the kingdom of God {Theos, Reigning King} is not in word, but in power {dynamei: effective strength}.
21 What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod {rhabdos: disciplinary authority}, or with love and a spirit of gentleness {prautetos: humble mildness}?