Add parallel Print Page Options

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. In Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 So then, I want you to follow me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my dear son and faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways, which I have in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in all congregations.

18 Some swell, as though I will not be coming to you any more. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if God so wills, and will know not the words of those who swell, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in words, but in power. 21 What would you have? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and in the spirit of gentleness?

Read full chapter

14 [a]I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I admonish you.

15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel.

16 Wherefore, I pray you, be followers of me.

17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, which is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, which shall put you in remembrance of my [b]ways in Christ as I teach everywhere in every Church.

18 [c]Some are puffed up as though I would not come unto you.

19 But I will come to you shortly, (A)if the Lord will, and I will know, not the [d]words of them which are puffed up, but the power.

20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

21 [e]What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the [f]spirit of meekness?

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 4:14 Moderating the sharpness of his mock, he putteth them in mind to remember of whom they were begotten in Christ, and that they should not doubt to follow him for an example, although he seem vile according to the outward show, in respect of others, yet mighty by the efficacy of God’s Spirit, as they had trial thereof in themselves.
  2. 1 Corinthians 4:17 What way and rule I follow everywhere in teaching the Churches.
  3. 1 Corinthians 4:18 Last of all he descendeth also to Apostolic threatenings, but yet chiding them as a father, lest by their disorder he be constrained to come to punish some among them.
  4. 1 Corinthians 4:19 By words, he meaneth their painted and colored kind of eloquence, against which he setteth the virtue of the Spirit.
  5. 1 Corinthians 4:21 A passing over to another part of this Epistle, wherein he reprehended more sharply a very heinous offence, showing the use of ecclesiastical correction.
  6. 1 Corinthians 4:21 Meekly affected towards you.

14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. 18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. 19 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 power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

Read full chapter