I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
For you know how, like a father with his children,
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.
For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved.
Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.
Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers,
Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
But if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning, and you will have delivered your soul.”
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.