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 do hard work, toiling with our own hands. When we are verbally abused, we respond with a blessing, when persecuted, we endure, 13when people lie about us, we answer in a friendly manner. We are the world’s dirt and scum, even now. I am not writing these things to shame you, but to correct you as my dear children. 15For though you may have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, because I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16I encourage you, then, be imitators of 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 9:15But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing these things so that something will be done for me. In fact, it would be better for me to die than – no one will deprive me of my reason for boasting!
• 2 Corinthians 7:3I do not say this to condemn you, for I told you before that you are in our hearts so that we die together and live together with you.
• 2 Corinthians 12:19Have you been thinking all this time that we have been defending ourselves to you? We are speaking in Christ before God, and everything we do, dear friends, is to build you up.
• 1 Corinthians 4:15For though you may have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, because I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
• 2 Corinthians 6:11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide to you.
• 2 Corinthians 11:11Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
• 2 Corinthians 12:14Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you, because I do not want your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:11As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his own children,
• Ezekiel 3:21However, if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he will certainly live because he was warned, and you will have saved your own life.”
• Acts 20:31Therefore be alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one of you with tears.
• Colossians 1:28We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:14And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.

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