14 I do not write these things to (A)shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved (B)children. 15 For if you were to have countless (C)tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in (D)Christ Jesus I (E)became your father through the (F)gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, be (G)imitators of me. 17 For this reason I (H)have sent to you (I)Timothy, who is my (J)beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, (K)just as I teach everywhere in every church. 18 Now some have become [a](L)arrogant, as though I were not (M)coming to you. 19 But I (N)will come to you soon, (O)if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the [b]words of those who are (P)arrogant, but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God is (Q)not in [c]words, but in power. 21 What do you desire? (R)That I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 4:18 Lit puffed up
  2. 1 Corinthians 4:19 Lit word
  3. 1 Corinthians 4:20 Lit word

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?

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 4:15 Or Christ
  2. 1 Corinthians 4:15 Or Christ
  3. 1 Corinthians 4:17 Or Christ
  4. 1 Corinthians 4:18 The Gk. lacks evaluate