1Cor 4:14-21 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Cor 4:14-21: 4:14-21 Paul concludes this section on divisions in the church (1:10–4:21 ) with gentle words of fatherly admonition and warning. Summary for 1Cor 4:14-16: 4:14-16 As their spiritual father who first brought them the Good News, Paul affirms his genuine concern for their well-being (cp. 1 Thes 2:11-12 ). As his beloved children , they should listen to their father and imitate his example and teachings (see 1 Cor 11:1 ; Gal 4:12 ; Phil 3:17 ; 4:9 ; 1 Thes 1:6 ; 2 Thes 3:7-9 ).

Summary for 1Cor 4:14-21: 4:14-21 ^a Paul concludes this section on divisions in the church (1:10–4:21 ^b) with gentle words of fatherly admonition and warning.
Summary for 1Cor 4:14-16: 4:14-16 ^c As their spiritual father who first brought them the Good News, Paul affirms his genuine concern for their well-being (cp. 1 Thes 2:11-12 ^d). As his beloved children, they should listen to their father and imitate his example and teachings (see 1 Cor 11:1 ^e; Gal 4:12 ^f; Phil 3:17 ^g; 4:9 ^h; 1 Thes 1:6 ⁱ; 2 Thes 3:7-9 ^j).
4:17 ^k Timothy, Paul’s child in the faith and one of his closest associates, was with Paul when he first preached the Good News in Corinth (see 2 Cor 1:19 ^l). Paul sent him to faithfully communicate what it means to follow Christ Jesus.
Summary for 1Cor 4:18-20: 4:18-20 ^m Because of his sending Timothy, some may have concluded that Paul lacked the courage to visit them himself, but in fact Paul was deeply engrossed in his work in Ephesus at this time (Acts 19:8-20 ⁿ; see study note on Acts 19:10). He would indeed visit them soon (see 1 Cor 16:5-9 ^o; Acts 19:21-22 ^p; 20:1-3 ^q; cp. 2 Cor 1:15–2:4 ^r) and would confront those who publicly opposed him and show that they were nothing more than big talkers. His life and words would demonstrate the reality of God’s power (see also 1 Cor 2:4 ^s).