Paul’s Paternal Care

¹⁴ I do not write these things to shame you, but ^(A)as my beloved children I warn you.

¹¹ as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and ^[a]charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,

⁴ I have no greater ^(A)joy than to hear that ^(B)my children walk in ^[a]truth.

¹⁵ But ^(A)I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for ^(B)it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void.

¹⁵ For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for ^(A)in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

¹⁴ Now we ^[a]exhort you, brethren, ^(A)warn those who are ^[b]unruly, ^(B)comfort the fainthearted, ^(C)uphold the weak, ^(D)be patient with all.

²⁸ Him we preach, ^(A)warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, ^(B)that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

^19 (A)Again, ^[a]do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? ^(B)We speak before God in Christ. ^(C)But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.

Love for the Church

^14 (A)Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for ^(B)I do not seek yours, but you. ^(C)For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. ¹⁵ And I will very gladly spend and be spent ^(D)for your souls; though ^(E)the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.