Things not Written to Shame 1 Corinthians 4:14

Paul the apostle told the Corinthian church members that he and his companions “labor, working with” their “own hands”, and he referred to how at the times they were “reviled”, they “blessed”. When they were “persecuted”, they “suffered it”. In chapter four and verse fourteen of First Corinthians, Paul told the church members in Corinth that he did not “write these things to shame” them where we read:

I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

The verse begins, “I write not these things to shame you, ...” Paul began with the words, “I write not” which means “Paul did not express or record in written characters” “these things” or “the ideas concerning Paul and his companions' oppression and labor” “to shame you” which means “to make the Corinthian church members to be ashamed and confounded”. Paul had no desire to make the church members “ashamed” for what he and his companions endured.

The verse continues, “... but as my beloved sons I warn you.”. Paul added the word, “but” which is a disassociation word that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “as my beloved sons” or “like esteemed, dear, favorite and worthy of love children or offspring” “I warn you” or “Paul admonished, cautioned and reproved the Corinthians gently”. Paul's intention was to “admonish and caution” the Corinthians in a “gentle” way.

When we consider these words from Paul, we see the “pathos” he had for the church members in Corinth. He had no desire to “shame” them. He only wanted to “admonish and caution” them according to their wayward ways. Jesus Christ came to draw people unto Himself, and this is fulfilled through the Holy Spirit of God. Though the Holy Spirit convicts people of their sinful ways, His desire is to provide “salvation” and rescue from the penalty of sins. Like a loving father, Paul “warned” his “offspring and children” in the Lord, and if we are wise, we shall not only be as his kids, but also heed the “warning” he issued as well.

Next time Paul tells the Corinthian church members“though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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