1 Corinthians 4

Paul describes apostles as “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God,” required to be found faithful, and warns against judging before the Lord comes to disclose all. In contrast to the Corinthians’ pride (“already you have become kings!”), the apostles are last of all, weak, hungry, reviled, and persecuted, “the scum of the world.” Yet Paul writes not to shame them but to admonish them as his beloved children, urging them to imitate him, and promising to come and deal with the arrogant.