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 wear ourselves out doing physical labor. When people verbally abuse us, we bless them. When people persecute us, we endure it. 13When our reputations are attacked, we remain courteous. Right now we have become garbage in the eyes of the world and trash in the sight of all people. I’m not writing this to make you feel ashamed but to instruct you as my dear children. 15You may have countless Christian guardians, but you don’t have many ⌞spiritual⌟ fathers. I became your father in the Christian life by telling you the Good News about Christ Jesus. 16So I encourage 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 9:15I haven’t used any of these rights, and I haven’t written this in order to use them now. I would rather die than have anyone turn my bragging into meaningless words.
• 2 Corinthians 7:3I’m not saying this to condemn you. I’ve already told you that you are in our hearts so that we will live and die together.
• 2 Corinthians 12:19Have you been thinking all along that we’re trying to defend ourselves to you? We speak as Christ’s people in God’s sight. Everything we do, dear friends, is for your benefit.
• 1 Corinthians 4:15You may have countless Christian guardians, but you don’t have many ⌞spiritual⌟ fathers. I became your father in the Christian life by telling you the Good News about Christ Jesus.
• 2 Corinthians 6:11We have been very open in speaking to you Corinthians. We have a place for you in our hearts.
• 2 Corinthians 11:11Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows that I do love you.
• 2 Corinthians 12:14I’m ready to visit you for a third time, and I won’t bother you for help. I don’t want your possessions. Instead, I want you. Children shouldn’t have to provide for their parents, but parents should provide for their children.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:11You know very well that we treated each of you the way a father treats his children. We comforted you and encouraged you. Yet, we insisted that
• Ezekiel 3:21But if you warn righteous people not to sin, and they don’t sin, they will certainly live because they listened to the warning. You will save yourself.”
• Acts 20:31So be alert! Remember that I instructed each of you for three years, day and night, at times with tears in my eyes.
• Colossians 1:28We spread the message about Christ as we instruct and teach everyone with all the wisdom there is. We want to present everyone as mature Christian people.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:14We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and 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