14I write these things not to shame you but to admonish you as my beloved children. [4:15] For if you have ten thousand supervisors in Christ, yet not many fathers — for in Christ Jesus I fathered you through the good news. [4:16] Therefore I urge you: become imitators of me. [4:17] For this reason I sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every assembly. [4:18] Now some were puffed up with empty pride, as though I were not coming to you. [4:19] But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will know not the speech of those who are puffed up but the power. [4:20] For the kingdom of God is not in speech but in power. [4:21] What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?
1CO 4:14-21
Paulʼs Fatherly Warning
In the world it was spoken into
In the Greco-Roman household, the (pedagogue) was a slave tasked with supervising a child’s daily conduct, not teaching intellectual or moral formation. This role was distinct from that of a father, who held ultimate authority and responsibility for the child’s upbringing. Paul draws on this cultural understanding to contrast himself with the many guardians the Corinthians might have in Christ. As their spiritual father, he claims a unique role, having begotten them through the gospel. The term (to beget) underscores his paternal authority and the intimate bond formed through his evangelistic work. Paul’s warning against being (puffed up) addresses the Corinthians’ arrogance, a behavior antithetical to the humility expected in familial and communal relationships. His mention of the (rod) evokes the disciplinary authority of a father, signaling his readiness to correct them if necessary. This framing reflects the honor-shame dynamics and hierarchical structures of 1st-century households.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
1CO 4:14
- KJV
- I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
- BSB
- I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
- Koinōnos
- I write these things not to shame you but to admonish you as my beloved children.
1CO 4:15
- KJV
- For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
- BSB
- Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
- Koinōnos
- For if you have ten thousand supervisors in Christ, yet not many fathers — for in Christ Jesus I fathered you through the good news.
1CO 4:16
- KJV
- Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
- BSB
- Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
- Koinōnos
- Therefore I urge you: become imitators of me.
1CO 4:17
- KJV
- For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
- BSB
- That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church.
- Koinōnos
- For this reason I sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every assembly.
1CO 4:18
- KJV
- Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
- BSB
- Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
- Koinōnos
- Now some were puffed up with empty pride, as though I were not coming to you.
1CO 4:19
- KJV
- But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
- BSB
- But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have.
- Koinōnos
- But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will know not the speech of those who are puffed up but the power.
1CO 4:20
- KJV
- For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
- BSB
- For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
- Koinōnos
- For the kingdom of God is not in speech but in power.
1CO 4:21
- KJV
- What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
- BSB
- Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
- Koinōnos
- What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1CO 4:15
- guardians:The word translated 'guardians' refers to a household slave whose job was to escort a child to and from school, and supervise their behavior, but not to teach them.
- begot.:The word translated 'begot' emphasizes the act of fathering, highlighting Paul's spiritual paternity and the Corinthians' direct spiritual lineage from him.
1CO 4:18
- were puffed up:The phrase 'were puffed up' describes an inflated sense of self-importance, like a balloon filled with air, suggesting arrogance and empty pride.
1CO 4:21
- a rod:The word translated 'a rod' could refer to a staff used for support, but in this context, it strongly implies an instrument for discipline or punishment.