1 Corinthians 4:21

Paul's Concern For The Corinthian Believers

²⁰ For Apostolic authority is not a thing of words, but of power. ²¹ Which shall it be? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in a loving and tender spirit?

In the Spirit

Rod of Correction

2 Corinthians 13:2

Those who cling to their old sins, and indeed all of you, I have forewarned and still forewarn (as I did on my second visit when present, so I do now, though absent)

2 Corinthians 1:23

But as for me, as my soul shall answer for it, I appeal to God as my witness, that it was to spare you pain that I gave up my visit to Corinth.

2 Corinthians 13:10

For this reason I write thus while absent, that when present I may not have to act severely in the exercise of the authority which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for pulling down.

1 Corinthians 5:5

I have handed over such a man to Satan for the destruction of his body, that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord Jesus.

2 Corinthians 2:1

But, so far as I am concerned, I have resolved not to have a painful visit the next time I come to see you.

2 Corinthians 2:3

And I write this to you in order that when I come I may not receive pain from those who ought to give me joy, confident as I am as to all of you that my joy is the joy of you all.

2 Corinthians 3:10

For, in fact, that which was once resplendent in glory has no glory at all in this respect, that it pales before the glory which surpasses it.

2 Corinthians 10:1-2

But as for me Paul, I entreat you by the gentleness and self-forgetfulness of Christ--I who when among you have not an imposing personal presence, but when absent am fearlessly outspoken in dealing with you.

2 Corinthians 10:6

while we hold ourselves in readiness to punish every act of disobedience, as soon as ever you as a Church have fully shown your obedience.

2 Corinthians 10:8

If, however, I were to boast more loudly of our Apostolic authority, which the Lord has given us that we may build you up, not pull you down, I should have no reason to feel ashamed.

2 Corinthians 12:20-21

For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may not find you to be what I desire, and that you may find me to be what you do not desire; that perhaps there may be contention, jealousy, bitter feeling, party spirit, ill-natured talk, backbiting, undue eulogy, unrest;

1 Thessalonians 2:7

On the contrary, in our relations to you we showed ourselves as gentle as a mother is when she tenderly nurses her own children.

James 3:17

The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceful, courteous, not self-willed, full of compassion and kind actions, free from favouritism and from all insincerity.