OrthJBC - I Corinthians - 4

4:1  So let a man consider us as Gabba'im of Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach and mefakkechim (stewards, supervisors) of the sodot (mysteries) of Hashem [2:7].

4:2  Moreover, it is sought in mefakkechim that one be found that has ne'emanut (faithfulness).

4:3  But to me it is a very small thing that I be brought before your Bet Din, as it were, for mishpat (trial), or that I am judged by Bnei Adam on their merely human Yom haDin; I do not even act as Dayan (Judge of a Rabbinical Court) of myself.

4:4  I am aware of nothing against myself, but not in this have I been yitzdak (justified); it is the L-rd who is my Shofet (Judge--Bereshis 18:25; Daniel 7:13-14).

4:5  Therefore, do not judge anything before the time, until the Bias Adoneinu [Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach], who both will bring to Ohr (Light) the hidden things of the choshech (darkness) and manifest the motives of the levavot and then the tehillah (praise) each one will receive will be from Hashem. [Iyov 12:22; Tehillim 90:8] SECOND PRINCIPLE OR SHITA (GUIDING RULE) OF EXEGESIS IS THIS KLAL (FIXED RULE): DO NOT GO BEYOND WHAT STANDS WRITTEN BUT LIVE ACCORDING TO THE KITVEI HAKODESH, NO MORE, NO LESS

4:6  Now these things, Achim b'Moshiach, I made a dimyon (comparison) applied with respect to myself and Apollos for your sake, that through us you may learn not to go beyond what things have been written [2:13], lest you are puffed up as ba'alei ga'avah (conceited, haughty persons) in favor of one or against the other.

4:7  For who makes you so distinguished? And, by the way, what do you have which you did not receive? And if indeed you were given it, why this ga'avah boastfulness as if you had not received it? ALREADY YOU ARE MECHUBADIK! SECHI UMAOS TESIMEINU BEKEREV HA'AMMIM (EKHAH 3:45)

4:8  Already you have so much, already you ascended to osher (riches)--and without us [Shluchim]! You became molechim (kings); I would that you did indeed become molechim that also we might reign as molechim with you.

4:9  For I omein believe that Hashem has exhibited us, the Shluchim of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, as last in the program, condemned to death, because, like wretches under a mishpat mavet (death sentence), we became displayed at the arena for the eyes of Olam Hazeh, malachim as well as Bnei Adam. [Tehillim 71:7]

4:10  We are kesilim (fools) because of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, but you are chachamim in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach; we are weak, but you are bnei chayil ("able" men--1:27); you stride to the kehillah seat of kibbud but we are given the shul boot of a dishonor.

4:11  Until the present hour we both hunger and thirst and are naked and are beaten and homeless.

4:12  And we have parnasah, toiling with our own hands, we labor working with the our own hands; being reviled, we make a beracha to the revilers; being persecuted, we endure it;

4:13  being defamed by loshon hora, we conciliate. We have become what the earth wants swept out the door, something considered trash the Olam Hazeh wants removed. [Yirmeyah 20:18; Ekhah 3:45] IT IS NOT THE TACHLIS OF REBBE, MELECH HAMOSHIACH'S SHLIACH TO BRING THE CORINTHIAN GOYIM UNDER BUSHAH BUT TO EXHORT THEM IN THE RUACH HAKODESH TO BE AS YELADIM IMITATING THEIR ABBA

4:14  The purpose of this iggeret is not to bring you under bushah (shame). I write these things as admonishing my beloved yeladim.

4:15  For, though you may have in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach morei derech numbering ten thousand, you have not many Avot: for in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach through the Besuras HaGeulah I became your abba.

4:16  Therefore, I encourage you, imitate me.

4:17  Because of this very thing, I sent Timotiyos to you-- Timotiyos, who is my beni haahuv (beloved son) and ne'eman (faithful) trustworthy in Hashem, who will remind you of my derech baKodesh in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, even as natati shiurim (I give lessons) everywhere in every kehillah (congregation).

4:18  Now as to my coming to you, some were puffed up, [Yirmeyah 43:2]

4:19  but I will come shortly to you, im yirtzeh Hashem (if the L-rd wills), and I will find out not the lashon of the ones having been puffed up, but the ko'ach (power).

4:20  For the Malchut Hashem depends not on the talk [of the ish safatayim (the eloquent speaker)] but on ko'ach (power).

4:21  What do you want? That I should come to you, so to speak, with an abba's switch or in ahavah and a anavat ruach (a Ruach Hakodesh of meekness)?