1 Corinthians 4:14-21
Christian Standard Bible
Paul’s Fatherly Care
14 I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children.(A) 15 For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. For I became your father(B) in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 This is why I have sent(C) Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved and faithful(D) child in the Lord. He will remind you about my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every church.
18 Now some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon,(E) if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk, but the power of those who are arrogant. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you want? Should I come to you with a rod,(F) or in love and a spirit of gentleness?(G)
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1 Corinthians 4:14-21
New Living Translation
14 I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. 15 For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. 16 So I urge you to imitate me.
17 That’s why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go.
18 Some of you have become arrogant, thinking I will not visit you again. 19 But I will come—and soon—if the Lord lets me, and then I’ll find out whether these arrogant people just give pretentious speeches or whether they really have God’s power. 20 For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. 21 Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?
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