1 Corinthians 4:14

1 Corinthians 4:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
• New International Version (NIV)I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
• New King James Version (NKJV)I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.

Context of 1 Corinthians 4:14

12we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13when we are slandered, we respond graciously. Even now, we are like the scum of the earth, like everyone’s garbage. I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children. 15For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

1 Corinthians 4:14 word by word

οὐκ ἐντρέπων ὑμᾶς γράφω ταῦτα, ἀλλ᾽ ὡς τέκνα μου ἀγαπητὰ νουθετῶν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• I writeγράφωgraphō · to writeG1125
• notοὐou · noG3756
• these thingsοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• to shameἐντρέπωentrepō · to cause shameG1788
• youσύsu · youG4771
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• myἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• belovedἀγαπητόςagapētos · belovedG27
• sonsτέκνονteknon · childG5043
• I warnνουθετέωnoutheteō · to admonishG3560

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 4:14

• 1 Corinthians 9:15For my part I have used none of these rights, nor have I written these things that they may be applied in my case. For it would be better for me to die than for anyone to deprive me of my boast!
• 2 Corinthians 7:3I don’t say this to condemn you, since I have already said that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.
• 2 Corinthians 12:19Have you been thinking all along that we were defending ourselves to you? No, in the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and everything, dear friends, is for building you up.
• 1 Corinthians 4:15For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
• 2 Corinthians 6:11We have spoken openly to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide.
• 2 Corinthians 11:11Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows I do!
• 2 Corinthians 12:14Look, I am ready to come to you this third time. I will not burden you, since I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children ought not save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:11As you know, like a father with his own children,
• Ezekiel 3:21But if you warn the righteous person that he should not sin, and he does not sin, he will indeed live because he listened to your warning, and you will have rescued yourself.”
• Acts 20:31Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I never stopped warning each one of you with tears.
• Colossians 1:28We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:14And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 4:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14I 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.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14To shame you - It is not my design to put you to shame by showing you how little you suffer in comparison with us. This is not our design, though it may have this effect. I have no wish to make you ashamed, to appear to triumph over you or merely to taunt you. My design is higher and nobler than this. But as my beloved sons - As my dear children. I speak as a father to his children, and I say these things for your good. No father would desire to make his…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-21Verses 14-21 In reproving for sin, we should distinguish between sinners and their sins. Reproofs that kindly and affectionately warn, are likely to reform. Though the apostle spoke with authority as a parent, he would rather beseech them in love. And as ministers are to set an example, others must follow them, as far as they follow Christ in faith and practice. Christians may mistake and differ in their views, but Christ and Christian truth are the same…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14-16As their spiritual father who first shared the good news about Jesus, Paul shows his true concern for their well-being (see 1 Thessalonians 2:11–12). As his beloved children, they should listen to him and follow his example and teachings (see 1 Corinthians 11:1; Galatians 4:12; Philippians 3:17; 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:7–9).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. warn--rather, "admonish" as a father uses "admonition" to "beloved sons," not provoking them to wrath (Ep 6:4). The Corinthians might well be "ashamed" at the disparity of state between the father, Paul, and his spiritual children themselves.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 4:14

• Love
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Account
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Instructor
• Offscouring
• Rod
• Shame
• Steward
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Paul, the Apostle
• beloved

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings