Craig A. Brittingham, Pastor
Hillside Baptist Church
July 6, 2025
“Begotten through the Gospel” – 1 Corinthians 4:14-21
1A. Paul loved the Corinthians as a father loves his children.
1b. He did not intend to shame them with what he had written (3:1-3, 4:1-13), but to warn them.
2b. They had many instructors in Christ, but they had one father.
1c. Paul had begotten them through the gospel (see 3:5- 7).
2c. As their father he urged them to imitate him (see 11:1)
3b. Paul sent to them another one of his spiritual children to be an example and teach them.
2A. Like some children, some of the Corinthians were too proud to receive instruction and correction from their father.
1b. Remember some had said, “I am of Apollos” or “I am of Cephas” indicating that they were not of Paul.
2b. Some were so puffed up or arrogant, they must not have thought Paul lacked the courage to come and reprove them.
3b. Paul assured them he was coming, but did so with humility (“if the Lord wills”), a characteristic lacking in some at Corinth (see James 4:13-17).
4b. Paul would come and know first-hand their spiritual status – were they still babes in Christ?
5b. He hoped for a change before he came so that he might minister to them with gentleness, not with harsh discipline.
Questions…
1. In what sense was Paul the father of the Corinthians?
2. Did he himself cause them to be born again?
3. What did he write earlier in the epistle indicating his role in their salvation?
4. What did Paul mean that he did not write to shame them What does it mean to shame someone? How might a father (and mother) apply this to his parenting?
5. We should all grow in Christ to the point of inviting others to imitate us. What must be true of us if we do urge people to imitate us? See 11:1
6. Why did Paul send Timothy to the Corinthians?
7. What does Paul’s ministry tell us about what our ministry must be to those who come to Christ through our gospel preaching?
8. How did Paul show humility in his plans to visit them?