Let a manregardus in this manner,as servantsof Christand stewardsof the mysteriesof God.
Jesus answeredthem, "To you it has been grantedto knowthe mysteriesof the kingdomof heaven,but to them it has not been granted.
"Whothenis the faithfuland sensibleslavewhomhis masterput in chargeof his householdto givethem their foodat the proper time?
And He was sayingto them, "To you has been giventhe mysteryof the kingdomof God,but thosewho are outsidegeteverythingin parables,
justas they were handed downto us by thosewho from the beginningwere eyewitnessesand servantsof the word,
And the Lordsaid,"Whothenis the faithfuland sensiblesteward,whomhis masterwill put in chargeof his servants,to givethem their rationsat the proper time?
And He said,"To you it has been grantedto knowthe mysteriesof the kingdomof God,but to the rest[it is] in parables,sothat SEEINGTHEY MAY NOT SEE,AND HEARINGTHEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.
For I do not wantyou, brethren,to be uninformedof thismystery--sothat you will not be wisein your own estimation--that a partialhardeninghas happenedto Israeluntilthe fullnessof the Gentileshas comein;
Nowto Him who is ableto establishyou accordingto my gospeland the preachingof JesusChrist,accordingto the revelationof the mysterywhich has been kept secretfor long agespast,
but we speakGod'swisdomin a mystery,the hidden[wisdom] whichGodpredestinedbeforethe agesto our glory;
Whatthenis Apollos?And whatis Paul?Servantsthroughwhomyou believed,evenas the Lordgave[opportunity] to each one.
when we are slandered,we try to conciliate;we have becomeas the scumof the world,the dregsof all things,[even] untilnow.
In this case,moreover,it is requiredof stewardsthat onebe foundtrustworthy.
Are they servantsof Christ?--I speakas if insane--I more so;in far morelabors,in far moreimprisonments,beatentimes without number,oftenin danger of death.
For ifI do wishto boastI will not be foolish,for I will be speakingthe truth;but I refrain[from] [this], so that noonewill creditme with more thanhe sees[in] me orhearsfrom me.
For we do not preachourselvesbut ChristJesusas Lord,and ourselvesas your bond-servantsfor Jesus'sake.
but in everythingcommendingourselvesas servantsof God,in muchendurance,in afflictions,in hardships,in distresses,
He made knownto us the mysteryof His will, accordingto His kind intentionwhichHe purposedin Him
and [pray] on my behalf,that utterancemay be givento me in the openingof my mouth,to make knownwith boldnessthe mysteryof the gospel,
that their heartsmay be encouraged,having been knit togetherin love,and [attaining] to allthe wealththat comes from the full assuranceof understanding,[resulting] in a true knowledgeof God'smystery,[that is], Christ[Himself],
prayingat the same timefor us as well,that Godwill openup to us a doorfor the word,so that we may speak forththe mysteryof Christ,for whichI have alsobeen imprisoned;
By common confession,greatis the mysteryof godliness:He whowas revealedin the flesh,Was vindicatedin the Spirit,Seenby angels,Proclaimedamongthe nations,Believedon in the world,Takenup in glory.
[and] not a new convert,sothat he will not become conceitedand fallinto the condemnationincurred by the devil.
[but] holdingto the mysteryof the faithwith a clearconscience.
For the overseermustbe above reproachas God'ssteward,not self-willed,not quick-tempered,not addicted to wine,not pugnacious,not fond of sordid gain,
As each onehas receiveda [special] gift,employ it in servingone anotheras goodstewardsof the manifoldgraceof God.