1 Corinthians 4:1-6

1This is how you should think about us, who are leaders in the church. We are Christ's servants. God has also given a special job to us. We must explain his message to people so that they understand it.

2Anyone who has that kind of job must do what his master wants. That is the important thing.

3So what you think about me does not matter to me. What you decide, or what any human authority decides, is not important. I do not even try to decide about myself.

4I am sure in my own mind that I have not done anything wrong. But that does not make me right. Only the Lord himself can judge me.

5So you should not decide about things before the time is right. Wait until the Lord comes again. He will show everything clearly. He will show the bad things that people have done secretly. He will show the secret purpose of people's thoughts. Then God will praise each person in a way that is right for them.

6My Christian friends, I want to help you to understand these things. That is why I have used Apollos and myself as examples. You should learn from us what this means: ‘Obey what is written in the Bible.’ None of you should be proud of one leader and not respect another leader.