1Cor 4:15-16 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 15. For though ye have ten thousand instructors . Though you may have, or though you should have. It matters not how many you have, yet it is still true that I only sustain the relation to you of spiritual father; and whatever respect it is proper for you to have toward them, yet there is a peculiar right which I have to admonish you, and a peculiar deference which is due to me, from my early labours among you, and from the fact that you are my spiritual children. Instructors . Greek, Pedagogues; or those who conducted children to school, and who superintended their conduct out of school-hours. Hence those who had the care of children, or teachers in general. It is then applied to instructors of any kind. In Christ . In the Christian system or doctrine. The authority which Paul claims here, is that which a father has in preference to such an instructor. Not many fathers . Spiritual fathers. That is, you have but one. You are to remember that however many teachers you have, yet that I alone am your spiritual father. In Christ Jesus . By the aid and authority of Christ. I have begotten you by preaching his gospel and by his assistance. I have begotten you . I was the instrument of your conversion. Through the gospel . By means of the gospel; by preaching it to you; that is, by the truth.

1 Corinthians 4:15-16

Verse 15. For though ye have ten thousand instructors. Though you may have, or though you should have. It matters not how many you have, yet it is still true that I only sustain the relation to you of spiritual father; and whatever respect it is proper for you to have toward them, yet there is a peculiar right which I have to admonish you, and a peculiar deference which is due to me, from my early labours among you, and from the fact that you are my spiritual children.

Instructors. Greek, Pedagogues; or those who conducted children to school, and who superintended their conduct out of school-hours. Hence those who had the care of children, or teachers in general. It is then applied to instructors of any kind.

In Christ. In the Christian system or doctrine. The authority which Paul claims here, is that which a father has in preference to such an instructor.

Not many fathers. Spiritual fathers. That is, you have but one. You are to remember that however many teachers you have, yet that I alone am your spiritual father.

In Christ Jesus. By the aid and authority of Christ. I have begotten you by preaching his gospel and by his assistance.

I have begotten you. I was the instrument of your conversion.

Through the gospel. By means of the gospel; by preaching it to you; that is, by the truth. Verse 16. Wherefore. Since I am your spiritual father.

Be ye followers of me. Imitate me; copy my example; listen to my admonitions. Probably Paul had particularly in his eye their tendency, to form parties; and here admonishes them that he had no disposition to form sects, and entreats them in this to imitate his example. A minister should always so live as that he can, without pride or ostentation, point to his own example; and entreat his people to imitate him. He should have such a confidence in his own integrity; he should lead such a blameless life; and he should be assured that his people have so much evidence of his integrity, that he can point them to his own example, and entreat them to live like himself. And to do this, he should live a life of piety, and should furnish such evidence of a pure conversation, that his people may have reason to regard him as a holy man.

(*) "followers" "imitators"