1 Corinthians 4 — Clausal Layout (English)

independentparticipialrelativepurposecausecomparativecontentconditionalphrase modifierdashed = verbless / suspended

Flush-left = a main (independent) clause. Each dependent line begins directly beneath the word it attaches to in the line above — the anchor word is dotted-underlined, and lights up when you hover its dependent clause; each tag also names the attachment. A dashed border marks verbless, elliptical, or suspended lines. Where a long sentence's staircase runs wider than the page, the diagram scrolls sideways. (In print, or without JavaScript, lines fall back to stepped indent columns.)

Stewards of God's mysteries — judged only by the Lord 4:1–5

vv. 1–2 — the right estimate, and the one thing required

This is how a person should regard us:independent — the thesis — Οὕτως points forward to the ὡς phrase

as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.comparative — the estimate — under-rowers and household managers, not party-heads

In this case, moreover, it is required of stewardsindependent — reading ὧδε λοιπόν (over the later ὃ δὲ λοιπόν) — the standing demand

that one be found faithful.content — content-ἵνα, not telic — fidelity the steward's single criterion

vv. 3–5 — examined by no court before the Day

But to me it is a very small thingindependent — ἐμοὶ δέ fronted — Paul's own weighing of their verdict

that I be examined by you, or by any human court;content — substantival ἵνα (the subject of ἐστιν) — 'human day' = tribunal, against the Lord's Day

in fact, I do not even examine myself.independent — ascensive οὐδέ — no self-tribunal either

For I am conscious of nothing against myself,cause — γάρ — the clear conscience grounding the refusal

but I am not acquitted by this;cause — the adversative rider within the ground — conscience is not acquittal

the one who examines me is the Lord.independent — the competent examiner named — the master, not fellow servants

So then, do not pronounce judgment on anything before the time,independent — ὥστε + imperative — the inference: κρίνω reserved, where ἀνακρίνω was preliminary

until the Lord comes,phrase modifier — temporal ἕως ἄν — the καιρός defined as the parousia

who will both bring to light the hidden things of darknessrelative — καὶ … καί — the first floodlight: what darkness concealed

and disclose the intentions of the hearts;relative — coordinate relative — motives, not just deeds, exposed

and then each will have his praise from God.independent — τότε — the verdict at last, and strikingly it is praise

Not beyond what is written — all you have is gift 4:6–7

Now these things, brothers, I have applied to myself and Apollos for your sake,independent — μετασχηματίζω — the rhetorical figure disclosed: the lesson worn by Paul and Apollos

that in us you might learnpurpose — the aim of the figure — the apostles as the object-lesson

the 'Not beyond what is written,'content — the elliptical slogan, nominalized by τό — read without the later-inserted φρονεῖν

so that none of you be puffed up for the one against the other.purpose — the climactic second ἵνα, chained on the learning — φυσιόω, the chapter's disease-word

For who makes you different?independent — diatribe — singular σε presses each conscience; the implied answer: God

And what do you haveindependent — the second question — possession probed

that you did not receive?relative — the decisive verb — all is received, hence gift

But if you did receive it,conditional — protasis — leans on the question below; first-class, granted for argument

why do you boastindependent — apodosis — the boast made absurd

as though you had not received it?comparative — ὡς μή + participle — the false pose of the self-made

Last of all — the spectacle of the apostles 4:8–13

vv. 8–9 — enthroned already vs. exhibited last

Already you are filled!independent — the first ἤδη — irony at an over-realized eschatology

Already you have become rich!independent — the second drumbeat — ingressive aorist

Without us you have begun to reign!independent — the climax and the barb — χωρὶς ἡμῶν, reigning without your founders

And would that you did reign,independent — ὄφελον — the unattainable wish; sarcasm softens into longing

so that we also might reign with you!purpose — the wish's aim — co-reigning is future hope, not present possession

For I thinkindependent — the wry δοκῶ — governing the content clause without ὅτι

that God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men sentenced to death,content — asyndetic content — the procession's doomed finale, and God the exhibitor

because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.cause — ὅτι-causal — θέατρον: the cosmic audience, heavenly and earthly

v. 10 — three antitheses, flush-left and verbless

We are fools for Christ's sake,independent — verbless — the world's verdict on the cross-preachers (1:18–25)

but you are wise in Christ;independent — the pointed swap of prepositions — fools διὰ Χριστόν, wise ἐν Χριστῷ

we are weak,independent — the second pair — strength in weakness

but you are strong;independent — the Corinthians' supposed potency

you are held in honor,independent — the third pair reverses the order — ὑμεῖς now first

but we in dishonor.independent — ἄτιμοι — the column ends on the apostles' shame

vv. 11–13 — the hardship catalogue, to this very hour

To the present hour we both hungerindependent — the catalogue opens — present tenses, polysyndeton

and thirstindependent — the second privation

and are poorly clothedindependent — γυμνιτεύω — threadbare destitution, not nudity

and are buffetedindependent — κολαφίζω — struck with fists

and are homeless,independent — ἀστατέω — the rootless, wandering life

and we toil, working with our own hands.independent — self-support — the participle of means kept inline (cf. Acts 18:3)

When reviled, we bless;independent — first participle-pair — each blow answered with its opposite (cf. Lk 6:28)

when persecuted, we endure;independent — second pair — forbearance under pursuit

when slandered, we entreat.independent — third pair — gentle appeal for defamation

We have become like the refuse of the world,independent — the harshest image — περικάθαρμα, the filth scoured away

the scum of all things, to this present moment.phrase modifier — verbless apposition — περίψημα; ἕως ἄρτι seals the catalogue as unrelieved

A father's appeal — rod or love 4:14–21

vv. 14–17 — not shame but admonition: the one father and his envoy

Not to shame you do I write these things,independent — the negated purpose-participle kept with its verb — the disclaimer after the sarcasm

but I admonish you as my beloved children.independent — νουθετέω — correction in a father's key; ὑμᾶς understood

For though you have countless guardians in Christ,conditional — concessive protasis — leans on the line below; the paidagogos a custodian, not a parent

yet not many fathers;independent — elliptical apodosis — ἔχετε understood; myriads of tutors, one father

for in Christ Jesus, through the gospel, I became your father.independent — emphatic ἐγώ — the begetting, with sphere and instrument fronted; order Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ read

I urge you, then:independent — οὖν — the inference from fatherhood

become imitators of me.content — the appeal's content — asyndetic imperative (cf. 11:1)

For this reason I have sent Timothy to you,independent — epistolary aorist — the envoy who carries the appeal

who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord;relative — the credential — πιστός, the steward's word of v. 2, embodied

who will remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus,relative — second coordinate relative — the mission: remembrance of the 'ways'

just as I teach everywhere in every church.comparative — on τὰς ὁδούς — the consistency claim: Corinth gets no special version

vv. 18–21 — the coming visit: talk, power, rod or love

Now as though I were not coming to you,participial — genitive absolute, ὡς of alleged reason — protasis-style, leaning on the clause below

some have become puffed up.independent — φυσιόω again — v. 6's disease come to a head in Paul's absence

But I will come to you soon,independent — the flat contradiction of their assumption

if the Lord wills,conditional — trailing protasis — anchored back on the promise; the pious proviso (cf. Jas 4:15)

and I will find out not the talk of these puffed-up people but their power.independent — the test — λόγος vs. δύναμις; the perfect participle: chronically inflated

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.cause — verbless aphorism — the criterion behind the test (cf. 2:4–5)

What do you want?independent — the choice put squarely to them

Shall I come to you with a rod,independent — deliberative subjunctive — the father's rod of correction

or in love and a spirit of gentleness?independent — the alternative — elliptical, ἔλθω carried over; the tenor of the visit is theirs to decide

Analysis. 1 Corinthians 4 reads as four distinct textures, and the layout lets each show. Verses 1–5 are judicial and measured: two short main clauses each carrying one hanging content line (the ὡς-estimate under λογιζέσθω, the ἵνα-of-fidelity under ζητεῖται), then Paul's own case — the ἵνα of being examined hanging as the subject of ἐστιν, the twin γάρ-lines of v. 4 (clear conscience / but not acquitted) sharing one anchor on ἀνακρίνω, and the section closing on flush-left verdicts: the Lord is the examiner, judge nothing before the time, then praise. Verses 6–7 shift to diatribe: the disclosed figure (μετεσχημάτισα) with the quoted slogan τὸ Μὴ ὑπὲρ ἃ γέγραπται dashed and suspended under μάθητε, then three rapid flush-left questions with one forward-leaning protasis. Verses 8–13 are the ironic column: three ἤδη-exclamations, the ὄφελον wish with its ἵνα, the spectacle sentence stepping down δοκῶ → content → ὅτι-causal, six verbless antithesis lines at depth 0 (the eye sees the seesaw ἡμεῖς/ὑμεῖς), and the hardship catalogue as coordinate one-verb lines with the three participle-pairs kept whole so each blow and its gospel answer sit on a single line, ending in the verbless περίψημα apposition. Verses 14–21 are the father's appeal, ending in three flush-left question lines. Choices the layout takes a side on: ὧδε λοιπόν is read (v. 2) over ὃ δὲ λοιπόν; the ἵνα-clauses of vv. 2 and 3 are content/subject, not purpose; the slogan of v. 6 is kept elliptical without the later φρονεῖν, and the second ἵνα of v. 6 is chained on μάθητε as the climactic aim rather than made parallel to the first; δοκῶ (v. 9) is treated as governing an asyndetic content clause with the following ὅτι causal, not as content-ὅτι; the genitive absolute of v. 18 is laid out protasis-style, leaning forward without an anchor; ἐὰν ὁ κύριος θελήσῃ (v. 19) trails and anchors back on ἐλεύσομαι; and the kingdom-maxim of v. 20 hangs as a verbless γάρ-ground on δύναμιν, the very word it defines.