1 Corinthians 4:14-21
World English Bible
14 I don’t write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, you don’t have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Good News. 16 I beg you therefore, be imitators of me. 17 Because of this I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every assembly. 18 Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing. And I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For God’s Kingdom is not in word, but in power. 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
Read full chapter
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?
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Corinthians 4:15 Or Christ
- 1 Corinthians 4:15 Or Christ
- 1 Corinthians 4:17 Or Christ
- 1 Corinthians 4:18 The Gk. lacks evaluate
by Public Domain. The name "World English Bible" is trademarked.
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.
