1 Corinthians 4:16-17

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Warnings of tenderness. From mood to mood, yet in all, St. Paul had the same dominant zeal and affection in behalf of his converts. Rebuke was not with him a pleasure to which the natural man ministered, but a very painful duty that proceeded from conscience and kept sensibility unalloyed by animal passion. Herein he is distinguished from men who love authority because it is a signal of personal eminence and a means to make others feel their inferiority. A really superior round never likes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Spiritual parentage. I. A VERY TENDER RELATIONSHIP . Paul notices: 1. The way in which the relationship is formed. ( 1 Corinthians 4:15 .) The spiritual father He finds them "strangers to the covenant of promise," strangers to Christ, strangers to the Church; but under the preaching of the truth they are led by the Spirit to lay hold of salvation: they become in Christ "new creatures," are "born again;" and he who has been the instrument employed in their conversion... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

The father and his children. The apostle has used sharp words, but they have been dictated by love. He has written as a father who desires the correction and not the shame of his children. I. SPIRITUAL FATHERHOOD . 1. How constituted. "For in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel." Conversion is the beginning of a new life, the birth by which we enter on spiritual being. This change is wrought by the agency of the Holy Spirit, on the basis of Christ's redemptive work;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:16

Be ye followers; rather, imitators. He makes the same appeal in 1 Corinthians 11:1 ; Philippians 3:17 . Of course, he only uses his human example as a guide to them in the special virtues of humility, self denial, and faithfulness ( 1 Peter 5:3 ; Hebrews 13:7 ). In the highest sense we can only be "imitators of God" ( Ephesians 5:1 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:16

Imitators of men. The Revised Version of this passage reads, "I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me." It may, however, be disputed whether the word "followers" is not a better and more suitable one to express the apostle's idea. Mere imitating is the work of the unintelligent; it is represented by the mere reproduction of sounds and manners such as we have in the parrot or the monkey, or more fully in the child. For men, all mere imitations are either signs of mental and moral... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:16-21

Six subjects worth reflection. "Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me," etc. There are six noteworthy subjects in these verses. I. A REMARKABLE REQUEST . "Be ye followers of me." Were Paul an ordinary man, such an exhortation would resound with arrogance; but he was a man of preeminent excellence, Christly in spirit, deportment, and ministry. There were three reasons why they should imitate him. 1. He was a follower of Christ. There was no living man who had followed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:17

For this cause. Because, as your spiritual father, I naturally take the deepest interest in your well being. Have I sent; rather, I sent. Timothy had started before this letter was despatched ( Acts 19:22 ), but he did not reach Corinth till after its arrival, because he had been unable to go by sea, and had to travel round by Macedonia. St. Paul, on hearing the grave news from Corinth, seems to have countermanded him ( 1 Corinthians 16:10 , " If Timotheus come"), but was uncertain... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:16

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... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:17

For this cause - In order to remind you of my doctrines and my manner of life. Since I am hindered from coming myself, I have sent a fellow laborer as my messenger, well acquainted with my views and feelings, that he might do what I would do if I were present.Have I sent unto you Timotheus - Timothy, the companion and fellow laborer of Paul. This was probably when Paul was at Ephesus. He sent Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia, probably with instruction to go to Corinth if convenient. Yet it... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 4:14-16

1 Corinthians 4:14-16. I write not these things to shame you Publicly to disgrace you, and stain your credit with other churches; but as my beloved sons I warn you Show you in a mild and tender way what is wrong in your conduct, and put you in mind of your duty. It is with admirable prudence and sweetness the apostle adds this, to prevent any unkind construction of his words. For though you have ten thousand instructers To advance you in the knowledge of Christ; yet have ye not many... read more

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