1 Corinthians 4:14-21

New King James Version

Paul’s Paternal Care

¹⁴ I do not write these things to shame you, but ^(A)as my beloved children I warn you. ¹⁵ For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for ^(B)in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. ¹⁶ Therefore I urge you, ^(C)imitate me. ¹⁷ For this reason I have sent ^(D)Timothy to you, ^(E)who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will ^(F)remind you of my ways in Christ, as I ^(G)teach everywhere ^(H)in every church.

^18 (I)Now some are ^[a]puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. ^19 (J)But I will come to you shortly, ^(K)if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. ²⁰ For ^(L)the kingdom of God is not in word but in ^(M)power. ²¹ What do you want? ^(N)Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?