1 Corinthians 4:14-21

New International Version

Paul’s Appeal and Warning

¹⁴I am writing this not to shame you^(A) but to warn you as my dear children.^(B) ¹⁵Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father^(C) through the gospel.^(D) ¹⁶Therefore I urge you to imitate me.^(E) ¹⁷For this reason I have sent to you^(F) Timothy,^(G) my son^(H) whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.^(I)

¹⁸Some of you have become arrogant,^(J) as if I were not coming to you.^(K) ¹⁹But I will come to you very soon,^(L) if the Lord is willing,^(M) and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. ²⁰For the kingdom of God is not a matter of^(N) talk but of power.^(O) ²¹What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline,^(P) or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?

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1 Corinthians 4:14-21

International Standard Version

Fatherly Advice

¹⁴I’m not writing this to make you feel ashamed, but to warn you as my dear children. ¹⁵You 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. ¹⁶So I urge you to imitate me. ¹⁷That’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.

¹⁸Some of you have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to evaluate^[d] you. ¹⁹But 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, ²⁰for the kingdom of God isn’t just talk, but also power. ²¹Which do you prefer? Should I come to you with a stick, or with love and a gentle spirit?

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