1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Expanded Bible

¹⁴ I am not writing this to make you feel ashamed, but to ·warn [admonish; correct] you as my own ·dear [beloved] children. ¹⁵ For though you may have ten thousand ·teachers [guardians; tutors] in Christ, you do not have many fathers. [^LFor; Because] Through the ·Good News [Gospel] I became your father in Christ Jesus, ¹⁶ so I ·beg [urge; encourage; exhort] you, ·please follow my example [^Lbe imitators of me]. ¹⁷ That is why I am sending to you Timothy, my ·dear [beloved] and faithful son in the Lord. He will ·help you remember [remind you about] my way of life in Christ Jesus, just as I teach it in all the churches everywhere.

¹⁸ Some of you have become ·proud [arrogant; puffed up], thinking that I will not come to you again. ¹⁹ But I will come to you very soon if the Lord ·wishes [wills; allows]. Then I will ·know [find out; learn] ·what the proud ones do, not what they say [^Lnot just the talk/word of these arrogant people, but also their power], ²⁰ because the kingdom of God ·is present [or consists] not in talk but in power. ²¹ Which do you want: that I come to you with ·punishment [^La rod] or with love and ·gentleness [or a gentle spirit]?