1 Cor 4:14-21

“I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?”

Of all the problems Paul was addressing in the church of Corinth, this is possibly one of the most relevant for the church today. We have more instruction (sermons, books, etc.) than any other time in church history which often leads to envy, strife and division. We often have neglected the simple foundational truths such as having the Father’s heart for His people and building upon Jesus Christ. There is one body under one head.

To understand what Paul is stating in 1 Cor 4:14-21 it needs to be read in context of the entire letter. In the previous chapter, which is connected to his thoughts in chapter 4, he is directly addressing the sin of sectarianism. Some said they were of Paul, and others said they were of Apollos. He compares this to spiritual immaturity and being carnal. Is our allegiance to a denomination, church, organization, apostle, prophet or pastor? Does this allegiance puff us up and cut us off from other blood bought believers? If that is the case, we may be in danger of being carnal Christians according to Paul’s letter. The moment we build our foundation on a servant of the Lord, instead of the Lord Himself we are in trouble. Paul states, “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” May we build upon that foundation with gold, silver and precious stones.

Paul continues his thoughts to address the pride many of the Corinthians were walking in. He boldly states we must become fools in order to become wise and tries to reiterate the foolishness of God through the struggle of being an apostle. This all leads us back to the verses in 1 Cor 4:14-21

The word instructors (strongs 3807) in verse 15 refers to a servant whose office it was to take the children to school. It was a legally appointed overseer, authorized to train (bring) up a child by administering discipline, chastisement, and instruction. This is in direct opposition to Paul referring himself as a father. Paul is not demanding the Corinthians call him father as a title, or position over them, but he’s making an elaborate point using this illustration. He giving a subtle reference to the Law and New Covenant. The letter (Law) disciplined us and showed us our wrong doing. It is a rod. When we came of age, we were adopted and given a place to access our inheritance in Him. He set us free from our instructors. The Father shows us love and gentleness.

He then says he is sending Timothy, his beloved and faithful son to remind them of his ways in Christ. Timothy had the Father’s heart. Throughout all of this Paul is showing sectarianism is a form of bondage, and the love of the Father will set them free from it. Though Paul had to speak harshly with the church of Corinth at times, he was showing he truly cared for them as a father cares for a son. Not just discipling as a schoolmaster which they were accustomed to.

So why does this matter to us? Like the church of Corinth we have many instructors, but few fathers. Imitate the ways of Paul in Christ. Become a father to the fatherless.