1 Corinthians 4

“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” Naming Moreover keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own…” The line’s distinctive content terms include judge, judged, judgment. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we…” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain…” Naming Even keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.” Naming Being keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.” The line’s distinctive content terms include beloved, shame, sons. Its relationship to verses 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.” The line’s distinctive content terms include puffed, some. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the…” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.