Day 13 in the Word: 1 Corinthians 4: 14-21

About the passage

Besties. Backup. Wingman. Paul wanted the Corinthian church to do well, but to help them along, he was sending his best man, Timothy, to help them out. But he doesn’t shrug them off as a “problem” for his #2 (Timothy) to handle. He encourages them to imitate him. It is so much easier to encourage others to follow Christ. Paul instead says “Follow me, as I follow Christ”.

Who is following you these days? Are they learning about Jesus as they do?

Rev. Gregory Dyson

Vice President for Spiritual Life and Intercultural Leadership | Campus Pastor

Day 13: 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

¹⁴ I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. ¹⁵ For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. ¹⁶ So I urge you to imitate me. ¹⁷ 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. ¹⁸ Some of you have become arrogant, thinking I will not visit you again. ¹⁹ But I will come—and soon—if the Lord lets me, and then I’ll find out whether these arrogant people just give pretentious speeches or whether they really have God’s power. ²⁰ For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. ²¹ Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?

Questions

What does the passage say? / What is happening in the text?

How does this impact me? / What is significant or noteworthy?

What does this mean in my life? / What does this mean to me?