The First Letter of St. Paul
to
The Corinthians
Chapter
4
¹ Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 1)
Oh bothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, even though I am neither a consecrated person, or an apostle, I have been given this assignment of sharing my prayers to Him by means of this blog. As I have repeated many times, my aim is simply to share my prayers and not to proclaim a new theology or interpretation of the Word of God. There are already many versions and interpretations there is no need for another one. Amen.
² Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trust worthy
² Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trust worthy
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 2)
Oh God my beloved Father, may I be found to be a trust-worthy steward, even though I am not free of error and weakness. You are aware of myself, needs and current situation, I pray that You continue to intervene and help me to become more trust-worthy Amen.
³ But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. ⁴ I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verses 3 to 4)
Oh God my Father even to say the words that You may judge me sends tremors of fear running up and down my spine and my teeth also chatter, for I remember Your voice when You first called me, and nobody can stand such a majestic and powerful presence. In this sense I prefer to be judged by humans even though at heart they are evil, however on the other hand You are more merciful, loving and just Amen.
⁵ Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 5)
Oh God my beloved Father, as You are well aware, in my situation I cannot wait till the day of Your judgment, which on the other hand can be any day. I am feeling depressed but eager to start a new life with You as a separated person, to be only Yours. Amen.
⁶ I have applied all this to Apollos and myself for your benefit, brothers and sisters, so that you may learn through us the meaning of the saying, "Nothing beyond what is written," so that none of you will be puffed up in favor of one against another.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 6)
Oh God my Father my conduct is to be in favour and according to all that is written in Your Word, however right now it is very hard for me to follow. My crosses are very hard to carry especially when I have one on each shoulder. Their weight is becoming at times unbearable. I pray that You continue to assist me with the needed support Amen.
⁷ For who sees anything different in you?" What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 7)
Oh God my beloved Father when I receive the gift of the Holy Spirit Your presence starts reflecting in me. When I speak about You with others it becomes evident that we have a relationship together I pray that that tie continues to be strengthened Amen.
⁸ Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Quite apart from us you have become kings! Indeed, I wish that you had become kings, so that we might be kings with you!
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 8)
Oh God my Father, we are already, sons and daughters of nobility, for we are the sons and daughters of the Kings of Kings and therefore we are lacking in nothing, because all we need is to talk to our Father, and You will grant us all that we need and all that is for our own good Amen.
⁹ For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, as though sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to mortals. ¹⁰ We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in in honor, but we in disrepute.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verses 9 to 10)
Oh God my beloved Father, those who side and accept the sinful ways of the world, are popular and approved of, by the world, however people such as myself, who are against such ways appear as being boring and worthy of neglect. I prefer to appear boring in the eyes of the world my God and Father Amen.
¹¹ To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed and beaten and homeless, ¹² and we grow weary from the work of our own hands. When reviled we bless; when persecuted, we endure; ¹³ when slandered, we speak kindly. We have become like the rubbish of the world, the dregs of all things, to this very day.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verses 11 to 13)
Oh God my Father, even though my wife is saying alot of lies against me to many people, You know the truth about me, and I will stick only to that truth. I pray for the humility to defend this truth in a calm and humble way that reflects Your presence in me Amen.
¹⁴ I am not writing this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 14)
Oh God you are my beloved Father and I am one of Your many sons. I thank You for every verse in the Bible, for it is a guideline that I must follow. I pray for the strength to do so for at times the will is there but the strength is not. Therefore I pray that You continue to teach me like a Father, teaches his son Amen. Thank You, Jesus.
¹⁵ For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 15)
Dear Brothers and Sisters who are following this blog or who maybe just passing by browsing and happen to click on this blog, kindly note that we are related in the Lord our God and as relatives, you are all free to communicate with me as freely as possible Amen.
¹⁶ I appeal to you, then, be imitators of me.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 16)
Oh, brothers and sisters, I urge you all to be imitators of Jesus Christ my God and Father. Pray like Him, think like Him, forgive like Him, act out of love like Him and conquer yourselves by taking control of the sinful self and subdue it to obedience so that we be masters of the flesh and not its victim or slave, because when we behave according to the flesh we may not be acting according to the will and grace of God my Father Amen.
¹⁷ For this reason I sent you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the LORD, to remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, as I teach them everywhere in every church.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 17)
Oh God, my beloved Father, I thank You for the many role models that You have sent me during these 46 years of my life. By means of such people You have taught me a lot and You are still doing so to this very day Amen. I pray that You give me the strength to imitate such role models and not my natural self Amen.
¹⁸ But some of you, thinking that I am not coming to you, have become arrogant. ¹⁹ But I will come to you soon, if the LORD wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verses 18 to 19)
Oh God my beloved Father I thank You for assuring me that the battle and struggle of life is not in vain. Thank You for assuring me that there is the gift of heaven awaiting me after the trials of this life Amen. I thank You for once again igniting in me the flame of hope Amen.
²⁰ For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power. ²¹ What would you prefer? Am I to come to you with a stick, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verses 20 to 21)
Oh God my beloved Father, today You are giving us the same choice or option. How do we want You to be when You come again? What role do we wish that You undertake, that of a loving Father, who is caring and empathetic and loving, or the role of the Judge who comes with the role of discipline law and order to implement justice with an iron fist.? The choice is ours.. Amen
Oh God my beloved Father, I would like to end this fourth chapter of St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians with the following prayer:-
Today my God and Father You have placed before us an important question to answer. How do we want You to be when You come again, the loving Father, or the harsh judge. Our behaviour my God and Father is an answer to this question, for what we aim for we will get Amen.
Oh God my beloved Father, may I be found to be a trust-worthy steward, even though I am not free of error and weakness. You are aware of myself, needs and current situation, I pray that You continue to intervene and help me to become more trust-worthy Amen.
³ But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. ⁴ I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verses 3 to 4)
Oh God my Father even to say the words that You may judge me sends tremors of fear running up and down my spine and my teeth also chatter, for I remember Your voice when You first called me, and nobody can stand such a majestic and powerful presence. In this sense I prefer to be judged by humans even though at heart they are evil, however on the other hand You are more merciful, loving and just Amen.
⁵ Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 5)
Oh God my beloved Father, as You are well aware, in my situation I cannot wait till the day of Your judgment, which on the other hand can be any day. I am feeling depressed but eager to start a new life with You as a separated person, to be only Yours. Amen.
⁶ I have applied all this to Apollos and myself for your benefit, brothers and sisters, so that you may learn through us the meaning of the saying, "Nothing beyond what is written," so that none of you will be puffed up in favor of one against another.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 6)
Oh God my Father my conduct is to be in favour and according to all that is written in Your Word, however right now it is very hard for me to follow. My crosses are very hard to carry especially when I have one on each shoulder. Their weight is becoming at times unbearable. I pray that You continue to assist me with the needed support Amen.
⁷ For who sees anything different in you?" What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 7)
Oh God my beloved Father when I receive the gift of the Holy Spirit Your presence starts reflecting in me. When I speak about You with others it becomes evident that we have a relationship together I pray that that tie continues to be strengthened Amen.
⁸ Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Quite apart from us you have become kings! Indeed, I wish that you had become kings, so that we might be kings with you!
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 8)
Oh God my Father, we are already, sons and daughters of nobility, for we are the sons and daughters of the Kings of Kings and therefore we are lacking in nothing, because all we need is to talk to our Father, and You will grant us all that we need and all that is for our own good Amen.
⁹ For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, as though sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to mortals. ¹⁰ We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in in honor, but we in disrepute.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verses 9 to 10)
Oh God my beloved Father, those who side and accept the sinful ways of the world, are popular and approved of, by the world, however people such as myself, who are against such ways appear as being boring and worthy of neglect. I prefer to appear boring in the eyes of the world my God and Father Amen.
¹¹ To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed and beaten and homeless, ¹² and we grow weary from the work of our own hands. When reviled we bless; when persecuted, we endure; ¹³ when slandered, we speak kindly. We have become like the rubbish of the world, the dregs of all things, to this very day.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verses 11 to 13)
Oh God my Father, even though my wife is saying alot of lies against me to many people, You know the truth about me, and I will stick only to that truth. I pray for the humility to defend this truth in a calm and humble way that reflects Your presence in me Amen.
¹⁴ I am not writing this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 14)
Oh God you are my beloved Father and I am one of Your many sons. I thank You for every verse in the Bible, for it is a guideline that I must follow. I pray for the strength to do so for at times the will is there but the strength is not. Therefore I pray that You continue to teach me like a Father, teaches his son Amen. Thank You, Jesus.
¹⁵ For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 15)
Dear Brothers and Sisters who are following this blog or who maybe just passing by browsing and happen to click on this blog, kindly note that we are related in the Lord our God and as relatives, you are all free to communicate with me as freely as possible Amen.
¹⁶ I appeal to you, then, be imitators of me.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 16)
Oh, brothers and sisters, I urge you all to be imitators of Jesus Christ my God and Father. Pray like Him, think like Him, forgive like Him, act out of love like Him and conquer yourselves by taking control of the sinful self and subdue it to obedience so that we be masters of the flesh and not its victim or slave, because when we behave according to the flesh we may not be acting according to the will and grace of God my Father Amen.
¹⁷ For this reason I sent you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the LORD, to remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, as I teach them everywhere in every church.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 17)
Oh God, my beloved Father, I thank You for the many role models that You have sent me during these 46 years of my life. By means of such people You have taught me a lot and You are still doing so to this very day Amen. I pray that You give me the strength to imitate such role models and not my natural self Amen.
¹⁸ But some of you, thinking that I am not coming to you, have become arrogant. ¹⁹ But I will come to you soon, if the LORD wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power.
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verses 18 to 19)
Oh God my beloved Father I thank You for assuring me that the battle and struggle of life is not in vain. Thank You for assuring me that there is the gift of heaven awaiting me after the trials of this life Amen. I thank You for once again igniting in me the flame of hope Amen.
²⁰ For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power. ²¹ What would you prefer? Am I to come to you with a stick, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 4 verses 20 to 21)
Oh God my beloved Father, today You are giving us the same choice or option. How do we want You to be when You come again? What role do we wish that You undertake, that of a loving Father, who is caring and empathetic and loving, or the role of the Judge who comes with the role of discipline law and order to implement justice with an iron fist.? The choice is ours.. Amen
Oh God my beloved Father, I would like to end this fourth chapter of St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians with the following prayer:-
Today my God and Father You have placed before us an important question to answer. How do we want You to be when You come again, the loving Father, or the harsh judge. Our behaviour my God and Father is an answer to this question, for what we aim for we will get Amen.
