1 Corinthians 4:17 kjv
For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
1 Corinthians 4:17 nkjv
For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
1 Corinthians 4:17 niv
For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
1 Corinthians 4:17 esv
That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.
1 Corinthians 4:17 nlt
That's why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go.
1 Corinthians 4 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 4:17 | For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my dear and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. | Rom 16:13 (Implies affectionate relationship), Phil 2:19-22 (Timothy as a faithful servant), Acts 19:22 (Timothy's prior ministry in Corinth) |
| 1 Cor 4:1 | Let a man regard us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. | 1 Cor 3:5 (Ministers are instruments), 2 Cor 3:6 (Ministers of a new covenant) |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. | Eph 4:3 (Unity of the Spirit), Col 3:14 (Love binds all together) |
| 1 Cor 11:1 | Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. | 1 Cor 4:16 (Imitating Paul's example), 1 Thess 1:6 (Imitating Paul and the Lord) |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, | 1 Cor 14:40 (All things decent and in order) |
| Acts 16:1-2 | Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but whose father was a Greek. | Gal 3:28-29 (In Christ, no distinction), 1 Tim 1:2 (Timothy as a true child in the faith) |
| Acts 20:17 | Now from Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to him. | Titus 1:5 (Paul appointing elders), 1 Tim 3:1-7 (Qualifications for church leaders) |
| Rom 12:7 | if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; | Eph 4:11-12 (Gifts for equipping the saints) |
| Gal 2:9 | and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised— | Gal 2:2 (Paul explaining the gospel) |
| 2 Cor 10:13 | But we will not boast beyond limits, but within the limits of the sphere that God apportioned to us, a sphere that God stretched even to you. | 1 Cor 3:6-8 (God gives the growth) |
| Eph 4:4-6 | There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were raised to the hope of eternal life when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. | John 17:21 (Unity of believers) |
| Phil 1:1 | Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: | Phlm 1:1 (Paul and Timothy co-authors) |
| 1 Tim 3:15 | if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of truth. | 1 Tim 4:16 (Take heed to yourself and your teaching) |
| Titus 1:4 | to Titus, my true child in the common faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. | 1 Thess 3:2 (Sending Timothy to strengthen believers) |
| 2 Tim 4:5 | As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. | 1 Cor 9:22 (Becoming all things to all people) |
| 2 Tim 4:11 | Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. | Acts 16:1 (Timothy's involvement) |
| 1 Thess 2:11 | just as you know how we dealt with each of you as a father with his own children, | 1 Thess 3:11 (Paul's longing to see them) |
| 1 Thess 5:25 | Brothers, pray for us. | Heb 13:7 (Remember leaders), Eph 6:19 (Pray for ministry) |
1 Corinthians 4 verses
1 Corinthians 4 17 Meaning
Paul, a faithful servant of Christ, is sending Timothy to the Corinthian church. Timothy will remind them of Paul's ways in Christ Jesus, just as he teaches everywhere in every church. This instruction is for guiding the believers and fostering unity under apostolic authority.
1 Corinthians 4 17 Context
In 1 Corinthians chapter 4, Paul addresses divisions within the Corinthian church, stemming from allegiance to different spiritual leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas, Christ). He emphasizes that all leaders are merely servants and stewards of God's mysteries. He contrasts their spiritual fatherhood with pride, rebuking them for judging him and others. He highlights his own suffering and shame for Christ's sake, calling them to imitate him. This verse (17) serves as a bridge, explaining Paul's strategy to correct and guide the church practically, by sending Timothy, who embodies Paul's apostolic teachings and can effectively minister to them. This action aims to restore order and unity, countering the factions that have arisen.
1 Corinthians 4 17 Word Analysis
- For this reason (διὰ τοῦτο - dia touto): Because of the foregoing explanations regarding their immaturity and divisions.
- I am sending (πέμπω - pempo): Dispatching, sending with a purpose.
- to you (ὑμᾶς - humas): The Corinthian believers, who are currently divided and lacking spiritual maturity.
- Timothy (Τιμόθεον - Timotheon): A key associate of Paul, often referred to as a "son" in the faith. His name means "honoring God."
- my dear (ἀγαπητὸν - agapetom): Beloved, cherished, indicating a strong affection.
- and faithful (πιστὸν - piston): Trustworthy, reliable, one who can be depended upon.
- child (τέκνον - teknon): Son or child, signifying a paternal relationship, spiritual offspring.
- in the Lord (ἐν κυρίῳ - en kyrio): In connection with Christ, belonging to the Lord Jesus.
- who will remind you (ὅς ὑμῖν ὑπομνήσει - hos humin hypomnesei): He will bring to your remembrance, recall, prompt you to remember.
- of my ways (τὰς ἐμὰς ὁδοὺς - tas emas hodous): My manner of life, my conduct, my customs, the way I live and teach.
- in Christ Jesus (ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ - en Christo Iesou): In Christ Jesus, referring to the sphere of life and operation grounded in union with Christ.
- as I teach (καθὼς κἀγὼ διδάσκω - kathos kagō didaskō): Just as I also teach. Paul's teaching is consistent.
- everywhere (πανταχοῦ - pantachou): In every place, universally.
- in every church (ἐν πάσῃ ἐκκλησίᾳ - en pasē ekklēsia): In all the churches. Demonstrates the universality and consistency of Paul's apostolic teaching.
Groups of Words Analysis:
- "my dear and faithful child in the Lord": This phrase highlights the deep personal and spiritual relationship Paul had with Timothy, mirroring the apostolic fatherhood he claimed. It establishes Timothy's legitimacy as a messenger.
- "who will remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus": This emphasizes that Timothy is not bringing new teachings, but will reiterate Paul's established, Christ-centered conduct and doctrine, serving as an apostolic representative.
- "as I teach everywhere in every church": This stresses the universality and consistency of Paul's ministry, underscoring the divisiveness of the Corinthians by contrasting it with the unity of apostolic teaching across other churches.
1 Corinthians 4 17 Bonus Section
The sending of Timothy is not just an administrative act but a vital part of apostolic succession and church discipline, demonstrating that spiritual authority is carried by qualified individuals who have learned from and represent those with established apostolic ministry. This underlines the importance of recognizing and respecting God-ordained leadership and consistent doctrine, contrasting with the Corinthian tendency toward subjectivity and division. Timothy was chosen because of his deep connection to Paul and his proven faithfulness, qualities essential for one tasked with guiding a troubled church.
1 Corinthians 4 17 Commentary
Paul’s strategy to address the Corinthian malaise was pastoral and authoritative. Sending Timothy, a trusted and spiritually-minded individual, served multiple purposes: to recall the church to apostolic standards of conduct and doctrine, to serve as a reminder of Paul’s own example of selfless service, and to reaffirm the unity of teaching across all churches. Timothy’s mission was to bring them back to the consistent practice of faith demonstrated by Paul, thereby cutting off any lingering justification for factions based on personal preference for leaders.
- Practical Application: When church members become overly focused on personalities, leaders should remind them of foundational, consistent teachings and principles that are universal to the Body of Christ.