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?