1 Corinthians 4:14-21 – Paul’s fatherly concern for the church

In verse 14 we see Paul reaching out to the Corinthians in a softer tone. He considered them to be his children and he was writing to admonish them. The harshness of his earlier tone wasn’t to shame them but to correct their wrong behavior. The picture of a father correcting his children can be found entrenched in Israel’s wisdom tradition. Being the founder of that Christian community in Corinth, he had a unique relationship with them. He brought the Gospel to them and they became his spiritual children. Paul wanted them to see that his harsh words came because of his fatherly concern. The Corinthians might have many guardians in Christ, but none shared that unique relationship he had with them as a father with his children.

 

So in verse 16 he urged them to imitate him. Just as children who want to mature must learn to follow their fathers’ example, he exhorted the Corinthians to do the same, i.e. to follow his example. This reminds us of the importance of being right role models to our children, both the biological as well as the spiritual. Since they were in need of a good role model, Paul decided to send Timothy, his son in the faith, to them. Because Paul could not return to them sooner, he felt that the next best thing was to send Timothy to them. He wanted Timothy to be a reminder to them of his (Paul’s) own exemplary conduct he had in Christ. They were the same conduct which he taught consistently in churches everywhere.  

 

Given the problems that wreaked the church in Corinth, Paul must have found it hard to end his letter in a kind and encouraging note. The church there was not only divided but there were also members who became arrogant. They became arrogant because they entertained ideas that Paul was not going there anymore. To be arrogant is to be puffed up. The false notion that they possessed superior wisdom gave them the audacity to disavow Paul’s authority.   

 

So Paul concluded by warning them of menacing consequences if they chose to persist in their rebellion against his authority. He warned them to anticipate a showdown when he arrived in Corinth. And the apostle hoped to experience for himself the power and not just their rhetoric. He said so because he knew that the Kingdom of God is not seen in rhetoric but in power.  

 

In his conclusion of this section, Paul told them that they had a choice to decide how they wanted him to come to them. If they persisted in their prideful boasting and repelling his authority, he would come as a strict disciplinarian. But if they chose to acknowledge his authority, and repent from their boasting, he would come to them in loving gentleness. Paul was giving them fair warning by sending this letter in advance. His action would be dependent on their willingness to take heed to the content of this whole letter.

 

Our priority in life should always be in harmony with reality. We should not imagine ourselves to be more than who we actually are. This was the problem of the Corinthians. They gave top priority to “the self” that made them see themselves more than who they really were. We need to rightly estimate ourselves and not allow self-importance to derail us from reality.