1 Corinthians 4:21

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.

Cross-references · 13

• 2 Cor 13:2I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
• 2 Cor 13:10Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
• 1 Th 2:7But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
• 2 Cor 12:20–21For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
• 2 Cor 2:3And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.
• Jas 3:17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
• 2 Cor 1:23Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
• 2 Cor 10:1–2Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
• 2 Cor 2:1But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
• 2 Cor 10:6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
• 2 Cor 10:8For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
• 1 Cor 5:5To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
• 2 Cor 3:10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

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.