1 Corinthians 4:14-21
New English Translation
A Father’s Warning
14 I am not writing these things to shame you, but to correct you as my dear children. 15 For though you may have 10,000 guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, because I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 I encourage you, then, be imitators of me. 17 For this reason, I have sent Timothy to you, who is my dear and faithful son in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways in Christ,[a] as I teach them everywhere in every church. 18 Some have become arrogant,[b] as if I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord is willing, and I will find out not only the talk of these arrogant people, but also their power. 20 For the kingdom of God is demonstrated not in idle talk but with power. 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline[c] or with love and a spirit of gentleness?
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Corinthians 4:17 tc ‡ Several significant mss read ᾿Ιησοῦ (Iēsou, “Jesus”) after Χριστῷ (Christō, “Christ”) in v. 17 (so P46 א C D1 33 1739 al). Western mss have κυρίῳ ᾿Ιησοῦ (kuriō Iēsou, “Lord Jesus”; D* F G), while several significant mss, as well as the majority, have only Χριστῷ here (A B D2 Ψ M sa). Once ᾿Ιησοῦ got into the text, it would continue to be copied. There is however no easy explanation for the word lacking in so many witnesses. Thus the shorter reading appears to be autographic. NA28 includes ᾿Ιησοῦ in brackets, indicating doubt as to its authenticity.
- 1 Corinthians 4:18 tn Grk “puffed up”; “inflated.”
- 1 Corinthians 4:21 tn Grk “rod.” Context indicates that this rod will be used for disciplinary purposes.sn Paul is using the term rod in this context to refer to his apostolic authority to discipline those who have become arrogant in the Corinthian church and have attempted to undermine his ministry (cf. 4:18-19).
1 Corinthians 4:14-21
Legacy Standard Bible
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 exhort 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 who will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, (K)just as I teach everywhere in every church. 18 Now some have become (L)puffed up, 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 know, not the [a]words of those who are (P)puffed up but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does (Q)not consist in [b]words but in power. 21 What do you desire? (R)Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Corinthians 4:19 Lit word
- 1 Corinthians 4:20 Lit word
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
Legacy Standard Bible Copyright ©2021 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org For Permission to Quote Information visit https://www.LSBible.org.