Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers

1 Corinthians 4:6-21

Now, brothers and sisters, 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 be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. 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?

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! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.

I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?

Why?

Paul works hard because he hopes he could be their sample, they may learn from Paul. All of us received the gospel, it is the grace of the Lord, why do we boast it?

We have many guardians in Christ but do not have many fathers, so we do not say we belong to anyone, but belong to Christ only. 

Paul put effort into them and suffered much trouble for the gospel, why did the members of Corinthians divide themselves into different parties?

We have one God, one faith, and one Holy Spirit.

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傚法聖經是唯一的，保羅、彼得……都是搖槳的人，使船前進，每個人也都很重要。

你們已經豐富了，反諷的話。自己好像演員，好像死刑犯，等著被人看出糗。教會傳道人對於會眾，教會對鄰居，同事朋友們對每個基督徒都是等著看好戲，我們是被渺視的。若你們真的豐富，我們也可以沾光，這當然也是反諷！我們的家人也是一樣，你去信耶穌，我看著你會如何?不會認為是蒙福的道路。所以我們不用在乎人如何看我們，我們又何必在乎別人的評價?

最後用為父的心來勸大家。此父親是負責看顧有錢人生活起居、教育小孩的老師，這個人有權柄來照顧這個孩子，同樣保羅有此權柄來要求哥林多教會的人。用愛來教導，而不是用權柄來壓迫，像父親、像師傅，權柄來自服事，來自愛，來自神！傚法我如何愛基督的心，所付出的作為。

我們做任何事都是在主的手中，主若許我！

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How?

May my life could be a light of truth in this world. I was chosen to complete the mission of the Lord in my life.