I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
Parallel translations
- WEB I don’t write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
- KJV I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
- NKJV I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.
- NASB I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
- NLT I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul clarifies that his sharp words aim not to humiliate but to lovingly correct the Corinthians as his children. It matters because faithful rebuke flows from a father's love.
Overview
After his pointed irony, Paul softens his tone, explaining his purpose is admonition, not shaming. He calls them his 'beloved children,' establishing the warm, paternal relationship that gives weight to his correction. This models how godly confrontation is grounded in genuine affection and a desire for the other's good, not in scoring points.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- 1 Th 2:11For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—
- 3 Jn 1:4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
- 1 Cor 9:15But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that something be done for me. Indeed, I would rather die than let anyone nullify my boast.
- 1 Cor 4:15Even 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.
- 2 Cor 12:19Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up.
- 1 Th 5:14And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
- Col 1:28We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
- 2 Cor 11:11Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
- 2 Cor 12:14–15See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
- 2 Cor 7:3I do not say this to condemn you. I have said before that you so occupy our hearts that we live and die together with you.
- Ezek 3:21But if you warn the righteous man not to sin, and he does not sin, he will indeed live because he heeded your warning, and you will have saved yourself.”
- 1 Cor 15:34Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.
- 1 Cor 6:5I say this to your shame. Is there really no one among you wise enough to arbitrate between his brothers?
- Acts 20:31Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
- 2 Cor 6:11–13We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are open wide.
Resources, by level
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 4:14 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.