1 Bringing in the definition of a true Apostle, 7 he showeth that humility ought rather to be an honor than a shame unto him. 9 He bringeth in proof, whereby it may evidently appear, 10 that he neither had care of glory, 11 nor of his belly. 17 He commendeth Timothy.

Let [a]a [b]man so think of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and disposers of the secrets of God:

[c]And as for the rest, it is required of the disposers, that every man be found faithful.

[d]As touching me, I pass very little to be judged of you, [e]or of man’s [f]judgment: no, [g]I judge not mine own self.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 4:1 He concludeth the duty of the hearers towards their ministers: that they esteem them not as lords: and yet notwithstanding, that they give ear unto them, as to them that are sent from Christ, sent I say to this end and purpose, that they may receive as it were at their hands, the treasure of salvation which is drawn out of the secrets of God.
  2. 1 Corinthians 4:1 Every man.
  3. 1 Corinthians 4:2 Last of all, he warneth the ministers that they also behave themselves not as lords, but as faithful servants, because they must render an account of their stewardship unto God.
  4. 1 Corinthians 4:3 Because in reprehending others, he set himself for an example, he useth a preoccupation or preventing of an objection, and using the gratuity of an Apostle, he showeth that he careth not for the contrary judgments that they have of him, in that they esteemed him as a vile person, because he did not set forth himself as they did. And he bringeth good reasons why he was nothing moved with the judgments which they had of him.
  5. 1 Corinthians 4:3 First, because that that which men judge in these cases of their own brains, is no more to be accounted of, than when the unlearned do judge of wisdom.
  6. 1 Corinthians 4:3 Word for word, Day, after the manner of speech of the Cilicians.
  7. 1 Corinthians 4:3 Secondly, saith he, how can you judge how much or how little I am to be accounted of, seeing that I myself which know myself better than you do, and which dare profess that I have walked in my vocation with a good conscience, dare not yet notwithstanding challenge anything to myself? for I know that I am not unblameable, all this notwithstanding: much less therefore should I please myself as you do.

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