1 Corinthians 4:17

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 4:17

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 4:17

1 Corinthians 4:17. For this cause That you may be better able to trace my steps, and may be animated to do it with the greater care; I have sent unto you Timotheus, my beloved son One whom I love with an entire fatherly affection, as if he were my son, 2 Timothy 1:2. Elsewhere he styles him brother, but here paternal affection takes place. And faithful in the Lord In the Lord’s work, (Philippians 2:20,) and by his assistance; who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways My... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Attitudes towards God’s servants (4:1-21)What the Corinthians think about the servants of God is not important. God is the one who gives his servants their work and they are responsible to him, not to anyone else (4:1-2). Paul is not concerned about the Corinthians’ assessment of him. Even Paul himself cannot properly assess how true his service has been. He may not know of any failure in his service, but that does not mean he is faultless. The only judgment that matters is the one that will... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 4:17

For this cause = On account of (Greek. dia. App-104 . 1 Corinthians 4:2 ) this. sent . App-174 . Timotheus . See 1 Corinthians 16:10 . bring you into remembrance = remind you. Greek. anamimnesko. Elsewhere, Mark 11:21 ; Mark 14:72 . 2Co 7:15 . 2 Timothy 1:6 . Hebrews 10:32 . which be . Omit. as = even as. church . App-186 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:17

For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall put you in remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every church.From this, it is clear what Paul meant regarding imitation of himself namely, that they should imitate his ways "in Christ," meaning as Paul was truly in the Lord and fully identified with Christ, ways of which Timothy would shortly remind them.Paul had sent Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:17

1 Corinthians 4:17. For this cause have I sent—Timotheus— This he does to shew that what he taught and pressed them to, was not in a pique against his opposer; but to convince them that all he did at Corinthwas the very same, and no other than what he did every where, as a faithful steward and minister of the Gospel. See Locke and Witsiu read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:17

17. For this came—that ye may the better "be followers of me" ( :-), through his admonitions. sent . . . Timotheus— (1 Corinthians 16:10; Acts 19:21; Acts 19:22). "Paul purposed . . . when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem. So he sent into Macedonia Timotheus and Erastus." Here it is not expressly said that he sent Timothy into Achaia (of which Corinth was the capital), but it is implied, for he sent him with Erastus before him. As he therefore purposed to go into... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 4:10-21

A. Divisions in the church 1:10-4:21The first major problem that Paul addressed was the divisions that were fragmenting this church.". . . this opening issue is the most crucial in the letter, not because their ’quarrels’ were the most significant error in the church, but because the nature of this particular strife had as its root cause their false theology, which had exchanged the theology of the cross for a false triumphalism that went beyond, or excluded, the cross." [Note: Idem, The First... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

A final appeal and exhortation 4:14-21Paul concluded this first major section of the epistle (1 Corinthians 1:10 to 1 Corinthians 4:21) by reasserting his apostolic authority, which had led to his correcting the Corinthians’ shameful conduct and carnal philosophy. He changed the metaphor again and now appealed to them as a father to his children. He ended by warning them that if they did not respond to his gentle approach he would have to be more severe. read more

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