the world or life or death, things present or future--
everything belongs to you;
003:023 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
004:001 As for us Apostles, let any one take this view of us--
we are Christ's officers, and stewards of God's secret truths.
004:002 This being so, it follows that fidelity is what is
required in stewards.
004:003 I however am very little concerned at undergoing your scrutiny,
or that of other men; in fact I do not even scrutinize myself.
004:004 Though I am not conscious of having been in any way unfaithful,
yet I do not for that reason stand acquitted; but He whose
scrutiny I must undergo is the Lord.
004:005 Therefore form no premature judgements, but wait until
the Lord returns. He will both bring to light the secrets
of darkness and will openly disclose the motives that have
been in people's hearts; and then the praise which each man
deserves will come to him from God.
004:006 In writing this much, brethren, with special reference to
Apollos and myself, I have done so for your sakes, in order
to teach you by our example what those words mean, which say,
"Nothing beyond what is written!"--so that you may cease to take
sides in boastful rivalry, for one teacher against another.
004:007 Why, who gives you your superiority, my brother?
Or what have you that you did not receive? And if you really
did receive it, why boast as if this were not so?
004:008 Every one of you already has all that heart can desire;
already you have grown rich; without waiting for us, you have
ascended your thrones! Yes indeed, would to God that you
had ascended your thrones, that we also might reign with you!
004:009 God, it seems to me, has exhibited us Apostles last of all,