I Corinthians 4:21
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Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
with a rod, or in love--The Greek preposition is used in both clauses; must I come IN displeasure to exercise the rod, or IN love, and the Spirit of meekness (Isa 11:4; Co2 13:3)? Next: 1 Corinthians Chapter 5
Open source ↗In this chapter the apostle, I. Directs them how to account of him and his fellow-ministers, and therein, tacitly at least, reproves them for their unworthy carriage towards him (Co1 4:1-6). II. He cautions them against pride and self-elation, and hints at the many temptations they had to conceive too highly of themselves, and despise him and other apostles, because of the great diversity in their circumstances and condition (Co1 4:7-13). III. He challenges their regard to him as their father in Christ (Co1 4:14-16). IV. He tells them of his having sent Timothy to them, and of his own purpose to come to them shortly, however some among them had pleased themselves, and grown vain, upon the quite contrary expectation (Co1 4:17 to the end).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, I will not spare anyone,
This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
On the contrary, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children.
I wrote as I did so that on my arrival I would not be saddened by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would share my joy.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.
So I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you.
And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, as soon as your obedience is complete.
Indeed, what was once glorious has no glory now in comparison to the glory that surpasses it.
hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.