Verse
Context
Paul’s Fatherly Warning
13when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.14I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.15Even 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.
Sermons
Carter Conlon
William MacDonald
Frank Knox
Thomas ReadeSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
I write not these things to shame you - It is not by way of finding fault with you for not providing me with the necessaries of life that I write thus; but I do it to warn you to act differently for the time to come; and be not so ready to be drawn aside by every pretender to apostleship, to the neglect of those to whom, under God, you owe your salvation.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
warn--rather, "admonish" as a father uses "admonition" to "beloved sons," not provoking them to wrath (Eph 6:4). The Corinthians might well be "ashamed" at the disparity of state between the father, Paul, and his spiritual children themselves.
John Gill Bible Commentary
I write not these things to shame you,.... Though they had a great deal of reason to be ashamed of the vain opinion they had of themselves, and that they suffered the faithful ministers of Christ to want the necessaries of life, when they abounded so much with the good things of it; and though the apostle's view in giving this narrative was to bring them under a sense of their faults, and to a conviction of them, and so to shame for them, in order to their future reformation and amendment; yet it was not merely to put them to the blush, but to admonish and instruct them, that he enlarged on these things: but as my beloved sons I warn you; they being his children in a spiritual sense, for whom he had the strongest love and affection, as their spiritual Father; and as it was his place, and became him standing in such a relation to them, he warned, admonished, and put them in mind of their obligations and duty to him.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Here Paul challenges their regard to him as their father. He tells them, 1. That what he had written was not for their reproach, but admonition; not with the gall of an enemy, but the bowels of a father (Co1 4:14): I write not to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. Note, In reproving for sin, we should have a tender regard to the reputation, as well as the reformation, of the sinner. We should aim to distinguish between them and their sins, and take care not to discover any spite against them ourselves, nor expose them to contempt and reproach in the world. Reproofs that expose commonly do but exasperate, when those that kindly and affectionately warn are likely to reform. When the affections of a father mingle with the admonitions of a minister, it is to be hoped that they may at once melt and mend; but to lash like an enemy or executioner will provoke and render obstinate. To expose to open shame is but the way to render shameless. 2. He shows them upon what foundation he claimed paternal relation to them, and called them his sons. They might have other pedagogues or instructors, but he was their father; for in Christ Jesus he had begotten them by the gospel, Co1 4:15. They were made Christians by his ministry. He had laid the foundation of a church among them. Others could only build upon it. Whatever other teachers they had, he was their spiritual father. He first brought them off from pagan idolatry to the faith of the gospel and the worship of the true and living God. He was the instrument of their new birth, and therefore claimed the relation of a father to them, and felt the bowels of a father towards them. Note, There commonly is, and always ought to be, an endeared affection between faithful ministers and those they beget in Christ Jesus through the gospel. They should love like parents and children. 3. We have here the special advice he urges on them: Wherefore I beseech you be you followers of me, Co1 4:16. This he elsewhere explains and limits (Co1 11:1): "Be you followers of me, as I also am of Christ. Follow me as far as I follow Christ. Come up as close as you can to my example in those instances wherein I endeavour to copy after his pattern. Be my disciples, as far as I manifest myself to be a faithful minister and disciple of Christ, and no further. I would not have you be my disciples, but his. But I hope I have approved myself a faithful steward of the mysteries of Christ, and a faithful servant of my master Christ; so far follow me, and tread in my steps." Note, Ministers should so live that their people may take pattern from them, and live after their copy. They should guide them by their lives as well as their lips, go before them in the way to heaven, and not content themselves with pointing it out. Note, As ministers are to set a pattern, others must take it. They should follow them as far as they are satisfied that they follow Christ in faith and practice.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:14-21 Paul concludes this section on divisions in the church (1:10–4:21) with gentle words of fatherly admonition and warning. 4:14-16 As their spiritual father who first brought them the Good News, Paul affirms his genuine concern for their well-being (cp. 1 Thes 2:11-12). As his beloved children, they should listen to their father and imitate his example and teachings (see 1 Cor 11:1; Gal 4:12; Phil 3:17; 4:9; 1 Thes 1:6; 2 Thes 3:7-9).
Paul’s Fatherly Warning
13when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.14I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.15Even 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.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Praising God at the Dung Gate
By Carter Conlon3.1K58:45Praising GodNEH 12:271CO 4:14EPH 3:13In this sermon, Paul, who is writing from prison, urges the believers to walk worthy of their calling. He acknowledges the difficulties and trials they have faced, emphasizing that their ability to overcome these challenges is not based on human strength alone. Paul encourages them not to lose heart or become cowardly because of his own trials, as God is using them to draw others closer to Him. He reminds them that God understands their struggles and has a plan for their lives. Paul concludes by expressing his willingness to endure trials for the sake of others, demonstrating that Christ is all they will ever need.
Studies in 1 Corinthians-04 1 Cor 4:14-5:7
By William MacDonald1.3K48:54PSA 115:1PRO 6:27MAT 6:331CO 4:141CO 5:111CO 10:12In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the issue of the Corinthians becoming followers of men and forming parties around favorite preachers. The preacher emphasizes the importance of shifting their focus from men to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the worthy gathering center of his people. The preacher also discusses the temptation to fall into sin and highlights the words of Jesus in Gethsemane, urging his disciples to watch and pray. The preacher shares advice given by Chuck Smith to young men entering the Christian ministry, cautioning them against touching the glory, money, and women, and emphasizing the need for moral purity.
(The Church Needs to Know) 8. the Church Will Be Confronted
By Miki Hardy9961:03:52Prophetic WordJER 1:91CO 4:14PHP 4:10In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the importance of standing and remaining in sound doctrine. He references 1 Corinthians 4:14, where Paul warns the Corinthians as his beloved children. The speaker highlights that the Corinthians were backslidden and living in the flesh, giving an example from Philippians 4:10-13. He emphasizes the need for God's people to serve Him the right way and warns that the church will be confronted in its ways, preaching, and teachings in the future.
The Unclean Person
By Frank Knox76549:05MAT 7:241CO 4:14COL 2:161TH 5:212TI 2:5HEB 4:14In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of following God's word without questioning or backtalk. He shares a story about a man who claimed to speak for God but didn't know the true message. The preacher also discusses the significance of being friendly and welcoming to others, as well as the need for personal growth and perfection. He warns against allowing harmful influences into one's life and encourages faith in God as a powerful weapon against adversity. Overall, the sermon emphasizes the importance of living as an example and following God's teachings without hesitation.
(The Full Gospel) 11. Two Types of Backsliders and Two Types of Leaders
By Zac Poonen1JER 3:15EZK 34:1LUK 15:41CO 4:141CO 13:7PHP 1:9Zac Poonen preaches about the two types of backsliders as described by Jesus in Luke 15 - the lost sheep and the lost son. He emphasizes the importance of shepherds after God's own heart who diligently seek out and bring back the backslidden believers, just as the Good Shepherd goes after the lost sheep. Poonen also highlights the distinction between the righteous persons who need no repentance, living in constant repentance, and the rebellious sons who must come to genuine repentance on their own. He urges discernment in welcoming backsliders with immediate, warm acceptance, resembling the father in the parable of the prodigal son.
(The New Covenant Servant) 6. Being a Father to Others
By Zac Poonen0Church MaturitySpiritual Fatherhood1CO 4:14Zac Poonen emphasizes the distinction between being a teacher and a father in the church, highlighting that while it is easy to produce spiritual children, nurturing them to maturity is a challenging task. He points out that many churches today are filled with overgrown spiritual babies due to leaders who act as teachers rather than fathers, focusing on criticism rather than encouragement. Poonen urges church leaders to adopt a fatherly spirit, which involves self-denial, unconditional love, and a desire for the spiritual growth of their congregation. He illustrates this with biblical examples, including the prodigal son and King David's relationship with Absalom, to show the heart of a true spiritual father. Ultimately, he calls for a transformation from a teacher's mindset to a father's heart in order to build a genuine family within the church.
Paul's Faithfulness in Reproving.
By Thomas Reade0ROM 13:11CO 4:14GAL 2:111TI 2:11PE 2:13Thomas Reade preaches about Paul's faithfulness in reproving and his obedience to civil government. Paul was a faithful reprover, always ready to impart faithful admonition with wisdom, kindness, and humility. He demonstrated his faithfulness by reproving Peter publicly when he strayed from the truth of the Gospel. Paul's obedience to civil government was rooted in his understanding of God's authority and the importance of peace and order. He exhorted believers to submit to governing authorities, pray for leaders, and maintain unity and respect in society.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
I write not these things to shame you - It is not by way of finding fault with you for not providing me with the necessaries of life that I write thus; but I do it to warn you to act differently for the time to come; and be not so ready to be drawn aside by every pretender to apostleship, to the neglect of those to whom, under God, you owe your salvation.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
warn--rather, "admonish" as a father uses "admonition" to "beloved sons," not provoking them to wrath (Eph 6:4). The Corinthians might well be "ashamed" at the disparity of state between the father, Paul, and his spiritual children themselves.
John Gill Bible Commentary
I write not these things to shame you,.... Though they had a great deal of reason to be ashamed of the vain opinion they had of themselves, and that they suffered the faithful ministers of Christ to want the necessaries of life, when they abounded so much with the good things of it; and though the apostle's view in giving this narrative was to bring them under a sense of their faults, and to a conviction of them, and so to shame for them, in order to their future reformation and amendment; yet it was not merely to put them to the blush, but to admonish and instruct them, that he enlarged on these things: but as my beloved sons I warn you; they being his children in a spiritual sense, for whom he had the strongest love and affection, as their spiritual Father; and as it was his place, and became him standing in such a relation to them, he warned, admonished, and put them in mind of their obligations and duty to him.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Here Paul challenges their regard to him as their father. He tells them, 1. That what he had written was not for their reproach, but admonition; not with the gall of an enemy, but the bowels of a father (Co1 4:14): I write not to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. Note, In reproving for sin, we should have a tender regard to the reputation, as well as the reformation, of the sinner. We should aim to distinguish between them and their sins, and take care not to discover any spite against them ourselves, nor expose them to contempt and reproach in the world. Reproofs that expose commonly do but exasperate, when those that kindly and affectionately warn are likely to reform. When the affections of a father mingle with the admonitions of a minister, it is to be hoped that they may at once melt and mend; but to lash like an enemy or executioner will provoke and render obstinate. To expose to open shame is but the way to render shameless. 2. He shows them upon what foundation he claimed paternal relation to them, and called them his sons. They might have other pedagogues or instructors, but he was their father; for in Christ Jesus he had begotten them by the gospel, Co1 4:15. They were made Christians by his ministry. He had laid the foundation of a church among them. Others could only build upon it. Whatever other teachers they had, he was their spiritual father. He first brought them off from pagan idolatry to the faith of the gospel and the worship of the true and living God. He was the instrument of their new birth, and therefore claimed the relation of a father to them, and felt the bowels of a father towards them. Note, There commonly is, and always ought to be, an endeared affection between faithful ministers and those they beget in Christ Jesus through the gospel. They should love like parents and children. 3. We have here the special advice he urges on them: Wherefore I beseech you be you followers of me, Co1 4:16. This he elsewhere explains and limits (Co1 11:1): "Be you followers of me, as I also am of Christ. Follow me as far as I follow Christ. Come up as close as you can to my example in those instances wherein I endeavour to copy after his pattern. Be my disciples, as far as I manifest myself to be a faithful minister and disciple of Christ, and no further. I would not have you be my disciples, but his. But I hope I have approved myself a faithful steward of the mysteries of Christ, and a faithful servant of my master Christ; so far follow me, and tread in my steps." Note, Ministers should so live that their people may take pattern from them, and live after their copy. They should guide them by their lives as well as their lips, go before them in the way to heaven, and not content themselves with pointing it out. Note, As ministers are to set a pattern, others must take it. They should follow them as far as they are satisfied that they follow Christ in faith and practice.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:14-21 Paul concludes this section on divisions in the church (1:10–4:21) with gentle words of fatherly admonition and warning. 4:14-16 As their spiritual father who first brought them the Good News, Paul affirms his genuine concern for their well-being (cp. 1 Thes 2:11-12). As his beloved children, they should listen to their father and imitate his example and teachings (see 1 Cor 11:1; Gal 4:12; Phil 3:17; 4:9; 1 Thes 1:6; 2 Thes 3:7-9).