Servants of Christ 1 UDB A person should consider us as servants of Christ and as those to whom God entrusted the hidden truths in the good news. BSB BSB: So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 UDB We must faithfully do the work that God has given us to do because he trusts us to do it. BSB BSB: Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
3 UDB If a human being or even a court of law judges my life, I think little about it. I do not consider it worthwhile to judge myself. BSB BSB: I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
4 UDB I am not aware of anyone who accuses me of doing wrong. But that does not mean that I am innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. BSB BSB: My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.
5 UDB So then, you should not judge anyone before it is time. The Lord will do that when he returns. He is the one who can bring to light everything that is hidden even in total darkness, and he can make a right judgment because he knows what each person truly thinks. When he comes, everyone will receive whatever honor they deserve from the Lord. BSB BSB: Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
6 UDB Now, brothers and sisters, the rule we follow is "Do not go beyond what they have written in the scriptures." Apollos and I live by it. For your sakes we teach only in this way, so that you can learn from us. It keeps you from being too proud about the people who are teaching you, whether it is I or Apollos. BSB BSB: Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another.
7 UDB There is no difference between you and any other believer. All of you have received everything as a gift. None of you is better than any other. None of you should boast like you are different from all the rest. We are all just the same. BSB BSB: For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
8 UDB But you act as if you have everything you want! You live as if you were rich! And you live as if you were reigning kings and queens—even without our help. Well, I wish you really had become kings and queens, for then we could have ruled with you! BSB BSB: Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings. How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you!
9 UDB But in reality, it seems that God has put us apostles on display at the end of a line of prisoners being paraded after a battle. We are like men who have been sentenced to death; we have been put on display for the whole world to see, both angels and human beings. BSB BSB: For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men.
10 UDB Others think of us apostles as fools because we live for Christ, and yet you see yourselves as wise people. We appear weak, but you seem to be the strong ones! You praise and honor yourselves, but we apostles are the ones whom other people hate. BSB BSB: We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.
11 UDB Up to this present time, we apostles have gone around hungry and thirsty. We have been so poor that we could not afford our own clothing. Officials have brutally beaten us again and again. We have no place to call our home. BSB BSB: To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.
12 UDB We work hard with our hands to make a living. When others curse us, we bless them in return. When others make us suffer, we endure it. BSB BSB: We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
13 UDB When people tell lies about us, we answer by being kind to them. And yet they treat us like the garbage of the world and like the filth that people want to throw into a garbage heap. BSB BSB: when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
Paul’s Fatherly Warning 14 UDB I am not trying to shame you, but I want to correct you as a loving parent would correct a child. BSB BSB: I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
15 UDB If you had ten thousand teachers telling you about Christ, you would still have only one spiritual father. I became your father in Christ when you believed the good news that I preached to you. BSB BSB: Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
16 UDB So I urge you to follow my example. BSB BSB: Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
17 UDB That is why I sent Timothy to you. I love him, and he is my faithful child. He will remind you of how I live as I am joined to Christ. I teach the same things everywhere we go and in every church we visit. BSB BSB: That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church.
18 UDB Some of you have become proud. You live as though I might not come back to you soon. BSB BSB: Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
19 UDB But if the Lord wants me to come, I will come to you soon. Then I will learn not only how these arrogant people talk, but I will find out whether they have God's power in them. BSB BSB: But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have.
20 UDB God's kingdom is not about what you say; it is about God's power. BSB BSB: For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
21 UDB What would you want me to do? Should I come to punish you with harsh discipline, or should I come so you can see how much I love you by how gentle I am to you? BSB BSB: Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.