I am not writing these things 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.
- BSB I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
- 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.
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 2:11As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children,
- 3 Jn 1:4I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.
- 1 Cor 9:15But I have used none of these things, and I don’t write these things that it may be done so in my case; for I would rather die, than that anyone should make my boasting void.
- 1 Cor 4:15For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Good News.
- 2 Cor 12:19Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.
- 1 Th 5:14We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.
- Col 1:28whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;
- 2 Cor 11:11Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows.
- 2 Cor 12:14–15Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
- 2 Cor 7:3I say this not to condemn you, for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die together and live together.
- Ezek 3:21Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man, that the righteous not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning; and you have delivered your soul.”
- 1 Cor 15:34Wake up righteously, and don’t sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
- 1 Cor 6:5I say this to move you to shame. Isn’t there even one wise man among you who would be able to decide between his brothers?
- Acts 20:31Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.
- 2 Cor 6:11–13Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged.
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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.