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Paul’s Fatherly Warning

Paul gives a firm, personal warning that is meant to correct, not disgrace. He speaks as a father in Christ, calls them to imitate him, and contrasts proud talk with the power that belongs to God’s kingdom.

1 Corinthians 4:14–21Read together with an adultLetter and teaching
Parchment, a reed pen and an ink pot on an ancient writing table

Understanding the passage

The setting of these words

In this part of the letter, Paul explains why he writes sharply. He says he became their father through the Good News, has sent Timothy to remind them of his ways in Christ, and speaks about coming himself, if the Lord is willing.

1 Corinthians 4:14–21

Main takeaway

Paul’s warning shows that loving correction, faithful example, and true spiritual power belong together in life in Christ.

Follow the letter’s teaching

Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.

01Admonition, not shamePaul begins by explaining his purpose. He is not writing to shame them. He is admonishing them as his beloved children.

Explanation

Paul begins by explaining his purpose. He is not writing to shame them. He is admonishing them as his beloved children. The word admonish shows correction or warning, while beloved children shows affection. His strong words are presented as loving concern, not as an attempt to humiliate them.

1 Corinthians 4:14
02A father through the Good NewsPaul says they may have many tutors in Christ, but not many fathers. He says that in Christ Jesus he became their father through the Good News.

Explanation

Paul says they may have many tutors in Christ, but not many fathers. He says that in Christ Jesus he became their father through the Good News. Then he urges them to imitate him. His appeal is linked to this relationship and to the message through which it began.

1 Corinthians 4:151 Corinthians 4:16
03Timothy will remind themPaul says he has sent Timothy, whom he calls his beloved and faithful child in the Lord. Timothy will remind them of Paul’s ways which are in Christ.

Explanation

Paul says he has sent Timothy, whom he calls his beloved and faithful child in the Lord. Timothy will remind them of Paul’s ways which are in Christ. Paul also says he teaches these same ways everywhere in every assembly, showing consistency in his teaching.

1 Corinthians 4:17
04Word, power, and Paul’s comingSome are puffed up, acting as though Paul were not coming. Paul says he will come shortly, if the Lord is willing, and he will know not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.

Explanation

Some are puffed up, acting as though Paul were not coming. Paul says he will come shortly, if the Lord is willing, and he will know not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. He adds that God’s kingdom is not in word, but in power. He ends by asking whether he should come with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness.

1 Corinthians 4:181 Corinthians 4:191 Corinthians 4:201 Corinthians 4:21

Questions to explore

Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.

01What reason does Paul give for writing firmly to them?

Look at the contrast Paul makes between shaming them and admonishing them as beloved children.

1 Corinthians 4:14
02How does Paul connect being their father with calling them to imitate him?

Read Paul’s words about becoming their father through the Good News and then his appeal in the next verse.

1 Corinthians 4:151 Corinthians 4:16
03What contrast does Paul make about those who are puffed up and about God’s kingdom?

Notice the difference between word and power in Paul’s coming and in his statement about God’s kingdom.

1 Corinthians 4:191 Corinthians 4:20

Read the Bible passage

World English Bible Classic

Scripture quotation · Public domain

1 Corinthians 4:14–21

14I don’t write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

15For 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.

16I beg you therefore, be imitators of me.

17Because 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.

18Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.

19But 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.

20For God’s Kingdom is not in word, but in power.

21What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

Source passages

Source: 1 Corinthians 4 ↗
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