1 Corinthians 4:14-17 (WEL) I don’t write these things to shame you, but I warn you as my beloved sons. 15 For even though you have ten thousand teachers in Christ, yet you don’t have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I have begotten you through the Good News. 16 Therefore, I beg you, be imitators of me. 17 For this reason I sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved son, faithful in the Lord, who will help you remember my ways which are in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every congregation.
V14 I don’t write these things to shame you, but I warn you as my beloved sons.
Again, Paul emphasizes the family imagery. What is the difference between shame and warn? Shame has the idea of verbal abuse and embarrassing a person in front of others. Warning carries the thought of revealing the possible consequences of not doing life according to God’s ways.
Compare these verses where one is to be shamed—2 Thessalonians 3:14 and Titus 2:8.
V15 For even though you have ten thousand teachers in Christ, yet you don’t have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I have begotten you through the Good News.
Paul mentions his relationship with the Corinthian believers. Father means the one who first preached the Gospel in Corinth. Recreation, regeneration, only happens by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:3-7). Paul says this because he preached and the Holy Spirit convicted or their sins and called them to salvation.
V16 Therefore, I beg you, be imitators of me.
Basically, to follow and live the doctrine he taught as well as the Laws of Christ. Here is a principle for all Christ-followers. We must live the Christian faith, worldview, lifestyle, and rules. Knowing this, we must live a consistent Christian life in public and private.
V17 For this reason I sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved son, faithful in the Lord, who will help you remember my ways which are in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every congregation.
Timothy was the head of or is the advance team meeting the needs of the evangelism team. Timothy is Paul’s son in the sense of a spiritual son being nurtured in the Christian faith. Paul loves with Christian family love. Paul also recognized Timothy’s faithfulness and teaching.
We learn:
- The believers are a Christian family.
- The ministry of a genuine Apostle.
- The ministry of a team for advancing the Gospel.
Questions:
- Do you treat other believers as if they are your brother or sister?
- Are you faithful?