Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
Parallel translations
- WEB What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
- KJV What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
- NKJV What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
- NASB What do you desire? That I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?
- NLT Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?
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 asks whether he should come to discipline them or in gentleness—the choice depends on their response. It matters because how we receive correction shapes the form of pastoral care we need.
Overview
Closing the section, Paul poses a fatherly either-or: a 'rod' of correction or a 'spirit of gentleness.' The outcome rests with whether the Corinthians repent of their pride and division. The verse reveals both apostolic authority and a father's heart, longing to come in love rather than discipline, much as the Lord disciplines those He loves.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- 2 Cor 13:2I 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,
- 2 Cor 13:10This 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.
- 1 Th 2:7On the contrary, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children.
- 2 Cor 12:20–21For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.
- 2 Cor 2:3I 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.
- Jas 3:17But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
- 2 Cor 1:23I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.
- 2 Cor 10:1–2Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
- 2 Cor 2:1So I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you.
- 2 Cor 10:6And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, as soon as your obedience is complete.
- 2 Cor 10:8For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
- 1 Cor 5:5hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.
- 2 Cor 3:10Indeed, what was once glorious has no glory now in comparison to the glory that surpasses it.
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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 4:21 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.