1 Corinthians 4:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

NIV: For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

NASB: For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.

CSB: This is why I have sent Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you about my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every church.

NLT: That’s why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go.

KJV: For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

NKJV: For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

Paul has compared the Christians in Corinth to little children, describing himself as their spiritual father in Christ. He often used this metaphor when talking about those who had trusted in Christ as a result of his ministry. Perhaps the best example of this father/son relationship in Paul's life was that of Timothy.

Paul describes Timothy here as his beloved and faithful child in the Lord, as he does in other letters (Philippians 2:22; 1 Timothy 1:2, 18; 2 Timothy 1:2). Timothy was the son of a Jewish mother and Greek father. Paul first met and recruited the younger man on his missionary journeys (Acts 16:1).

Paul has urged the Corinthian Christians to imitate his life in Christ as little children imitate their father. This, he writes, is why he sent Timothy to them. Timothy has learned how to live as a Christian by imitating Paul; Paul intends the Corinthians to see Timothy's example of attitude and actions. They should expect to see in Timothy what it means to live out everything that Paul teaches about Christ everywhere he goes.

Paul is painting a picture of Christian discipleship. Timothy has learned from Paul's example how to put into practice the teachings of the gospel of Jesus. Now Paul intends for the Corinthians to learn from Timothy's example how to do so, as well. Clearly, the Christian life is not merely a matter of knowing the truth, but also of acting on it in every choice we make. It's unclear if Timothy had already been sent to the Corinthians ahead of this letter. It's also possible he was the one who would bring this letter to them (1 Corinthians 16:10).

First Corinthians 4:14–21 focuses on Paul's role as spiritual father to the Corinthians, since he is the one who led them to Christ. He urges them to change their attitudes and behaviors and to imitate his example in living out the gospel. He sent Timothy to show them what that looks like, and he hopes to come himself to confront their arrogant talk with the power of God. Do they want him to come with the rod of correction or in love with the spirit of gentleness?

Paul continues to show why the Corinthian Christians must not be divided over loyalties to various Christian leaders. Only the Lord can judge His servants, including Paul. By making themselves judges, they are acting like they have all they need. They are proudly focused on reputation and status while the apostles live for Christ in poverty and under persecution. Paul writes as a father to little children. He urges them to change course and imitate his life. Do they want him to be gentle or come to them with the rod of correction?

First Corinthians 4 continues Paul's insistence to the Corinthian Christians to stop making themselves judges of each other. Only the Lord's judgment matters. They are living as if their wealth and status are all they need, while the apostles serve Christ in poverty and under persecution, imitating Christ. Paul urges them to change course and imitate his life. Paul will continue his increasingly stern tone in chapter 5, where he will confront appalling examples of sin in the church at Corinth.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.