1 Corinthians 4:14-21
English Standard Version
14 I do not write these things (A)to make you ashamed, but to admonish you (B)as my beloved children. 15 For (C)though you have countless[a] guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For (D)I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 I urge you, then, (E)be imitators of me. 17 That is why (F)I sent[b] you Timothy, (G)my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ,[c] (H)as I teach them everywhere in every church. 18 Some are (I)arrogant, (J)as though I were not coming to you. 19 But (K)I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For (L)the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? (M)Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Corinthians 4:15 Greek you have ten thousand
- 1 Corinthians 4:17 Or am sending
- 1 Corinthians 4:17 Some manuscripts add Jesus
1 Corinthians 4:14-21
International Standard Version
Fatherly Advice
14 I’m not writing this to make you feel ashamed, but to warn you as my dear children. 15 You may have 10,000 mentors who work for the Messiah,[a] but not many fathers. For in the Messiah[b] Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 So I urge you to imitate me. 17 That’s why I sent Timothy to you. He is my dear and dependable son in the Lord and will help you remember how I live for the Messiah[c] Jesus as I teach everywhere in every church.
18 Some of you have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to evaluate[d] you. 19 But I will come to you soon if it’s the Lord’s will. Then I’ll discover not only what these arrogant people are saying but also what power they have, 20 for the kingdom of God isn’t just talk, but also power. 21 Which do you prefer? Should I come to you with a stick, or with love and a gentle spirit?
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Corinthians 4:15 Or Christ
- 1 Corinthians 4:15 Or Christ
- 1 Corinthians 4:17 Or Christ
- 1 Corinthians 4:18 The Gk. lacks evaluate
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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