1 Corinthians 4:14-21

King James Version

¹⁴I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

¹⁵For 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.

¹⁶Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

¹⁷For 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.

¹⁸Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

¹⁹But 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.

²⁰For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

²¹What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

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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

New King James Version

Paul’s Paternal Care

¹⁴I do not write these things to shame you, but ^(A)as my beloved children I warn you. ¹⁵For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for ^(B)in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. ¹⁶Therefore I urge you, ^(C)imitate me. ¹⁷For this reason I have sent ^(D)Timothy to you, ^(E)who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will ^(F)remind you of my ways in Christ, as I ^(G)teach everywhere ^(H)in every church.

¹⁸^(I)Now some are ^[a]puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. ¹⁹^(J)But I will come to you shortly, ^(K)if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. ²⁰For ^(L)the kingdom of God is not in word but in ^(M)power. ²¹What do you want? ^(N)Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?