1 Corinthians 4:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

NIV: What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?

NASB: What do you desire? That I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

CSB: What do you want? Should I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

NLT: Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?

KJV: What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

NKJV: What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

Paul sounds especially "parental" in this verse. That fits, since he has described himself as a father and the Christians in Corinth as his beloved children (1 Corinthians 4:15). The problem is that these little children (1 Corinthians 3:1–2) have been misbehaving. He is writing to correct their wrong thinking, bad attitudes, and careless behavior.

Some in Corinth, though, will continue to resist Paul's instruction to them. Paul knows this. He has called them arrogant (1 Corinthians 4:18). In their pride, they have decided they can follow Christ in their own way. They don't have to take Paul's teaching as the final authority about what is true or not. Paul fully expects some to read his letter, and proudly insist that they have nothing to change, or no need to hear Paul's words.

Paul has warned these arrogant people that he is coming to see them and that he will come once again backed by the supernatural power of God, displayed through the Holy Spirit. His readers likely remember very well seeing God's power demonstrated in this way (1 Corinthians 2:1–5).

With that in mind, and very much like a father, Paul asks if they would rather he show up with a rod or with a loving spirit of gentleness. Paul is using the father/child metaphor to make a point. He is not demanding to be called by the title of "father," or asking for other honors. He would not bring an actual rod, which in that era was indeed used to discipline children. However, God may choose to use His power through Paul to bring correction or demonstration of power to those living in rebellion.

Of course, Paul will come with love for them in either case. Even discipline would be a display of God's love for the Corinthians (Hebrews 12:6). Or that love can be expressed in a spirit of gentleness, as Paul encourages the Corinthians and helps them to change course in how they live out the truth of the gospel.

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.