1 Corinthians 4:15
13 when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
17 That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church.
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
- KJV
- For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
- WEB
- For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, you don’t have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Good News.
- ASV
- For though ye have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet [have ye] not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel.
- DARBY
- For if ye should have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus *I* have begotten you through the glad tidings.
- BLB
- For although you⁺ may have ten thousand guardians in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I begat you⁺ through the gospel.
- ÅB
- For om dere og har ti tusen læremestere i Kristus, så har dere dog ikke mange fedre; for jeg har avlet dere i Kristus Jesus ved evangeliet.
- OTB
- For om dere skulle ha utallige veiledere i Kristus, ville dere likevel ikke ha mange fedre; for i Kristus Jesus ble jeg deres far gjennom evangeliet.
- B1930
- For om I og har ti tusen læremestere i Kristus, så har I dog ikke mange fedre; for jeg har avlet eder i Kristus Jesus ved evangeliet.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
1 Corinthians 3:10
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds.
Read in contextGalatians 4:19
My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,
Read in context1 Peter 1:23
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
Read in context1 Corinthians 9:14
In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
Read in context1 Corinthians 9:23
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.
Read in contextActs 18:4–11
Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks alike.
Read in contextPhilemon 1:10–12
I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains.
Read in context2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.
Read in context