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

¹⁴ I write these things not to shame you, but as my beloved children, I admonish you. ¹⁵ For if you have ten thousand teachers in Christ still you have not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you by the gospel. ¹⁶ I exhort you therefore, be followers of me. ¹⁷ For this reason I sent you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere, in every church. ¹⁸ Some are puffed up as though I would not come to you; ¹⁹ but I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know not the word of those who are puffed up but the power; ²⁰ for the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. ²¹ What do you wish? shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of meekness?