哥林多前書 4
1 人應當以我們為基督的執事、為 神奧秘事的管家。
So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.
2 所求於管家的、是要他有忠心。
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
3 我被你們論斷、或被別人論斷、我都以為極小的事.連我自己也不論斷自己。
I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.
4 我雖不覺得自己有錯、卻也不能因此得以稱義。但判斷我的乃是主。
My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
5 所以時候未到、甚麼都不要論斷、只等主來、他要照出暗中的隱情、顯明人心的意念。那時各人要從 神那裡得著稱讚。
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till 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 弟兄們、我為你們的緣故、拿這些事轉比自己和亞波羅.叫你們效法我們不可過於聖經所記.免得你們自高自大、貴重這個、輕看那個。
Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.
7 使你與人不同的是誰呢.你有甚麼不是領受的呢.若是領受的、為何自誇、彷彿不是領受的呢。
For who makes you different from anyone else? 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 你們已經飽足了、已經豐富了、不用我們、自已就作王了.我願意你們果真作王、叫我們也得與你們一同作王。
Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings--and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you!
9 我想 神把我們使徒明明列在末後、好像定死罪的囚犯.因為我們成了一臺戲、獻給世人和天使觀看。
For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men.
10 我們為基督的緣故算是愚拙的、你們在基督裡倒是聰明的、我們軟弱、你們倒強壯.你們有榮耀、我們倒被藐視。
We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!
11 直到如今、我們還是又飢、又渴、又赤身露體、又挨打、又沒有一定的住處.
To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.
12 並且勞苦、親手作工.被人咒罵、我們就祝福.被人逼迫、我們就忍受.
We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
13 被人毀謗、我們就善勸.直到如今、人還把我們看作世界上的污穢、萬物中的渣滓。
when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
14 我寫這話、不是叫你們羞愧、乃是警戒你們、好像我所親愛的兒女一樣。
I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children.
15 你們學基督的、師傅雖有一萬、為父的卻是不多、因我在基督耶穌裡用福音生了你們。
Even though 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 所以我求你們效法我。
Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
17 因此我已打發提摩太到你們那裡去.他在主裡面、是我所親愛有忠心的兒子.他必題醒你們、記念我在基督裡怎樣行事、在各處各教會中怎樣教導人。
For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
18 有些人自高自大、以為我不到你們那裡去。
Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
19 然而主若許我、我必快到你們那裡去.並且我所要知道的、不是那些自高自大之人的言語、乃是他們的權能。
But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.
20 因為 神的國不在乎言語、乃在乎權能。
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
21 你們願意怎麼樣呢.是願意我帶著刑杖到你們那裡去呢、還是要我存慈愛溫柔的心呢。
What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?