1 Corinthians 4:14-21 - Paul's Concern For The Corinthian Believers

¹⁴ I do not write these things to shame you, but to warn you, as to my beloved sons. ¹⁵ For though ye may have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet ye shall not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. ¹⁶ Therefore, I beseech you that ye imitate me. ¹⁷ For this cause I have sent Timothy unto you, who is my beloved son and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every congregation . ¹⁸ Now some are puffed up as though I will never come to you. ¹⁹ But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and will know not the words of those who are puffed up, but the virtue. ²⁰ For the kingdom of God is not in words, but in virtue. ²¹ What will ye? Shall I come unto you with a rod or in charity and in the spirit of meekness?