1 Corinthians 4:17

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. FOR THIS CAUSE - that ye may the better "be followers of me" (), through his admonitions. SENT UNTO YOU TIMOTHEUS (; Acts 19:21). 'Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem. So he sent to Macedonia Timotheus and Erastus.' Here it is not expressly said, he sent Timothy into Achaia (of which Corinth was the capital), but it is implied, for he sent him with Erastus before him. As be therefore purposed to go into...

17._For this cause. _The meaning is: “That you may know what my manner of life is, and whether I am worthy to be imitated, listen to what Timothy has to say, who will be prepared to be a faithful witness of these things. Now as there are two things that secure credit to a man’s testimony — a knowledge of the things which he relates, and fidelity — he lets them know that Timothy possesses both of these things. For in calling him his _dearly beloved son_, he intimates that he knew him intimately, and was acquainted with all his affairs; and farther, he speaks of him as _faithful in the Lord _He gives also two things in charge to Timothy — _first_, to recall to the recollection of the Corinthians those things which they should of themselves have had in remembrance, and in this he tacitly reproves them; and _secondly_, to testify to them, how uniform and steady his manner of teaching was in...

14-21 In reproving for sin, we should distinguish between sinners and their sins. Reproofs that kindly and affectionately warn, are likely to reform. Though the apostle spoke with authority as a parent, he would rather beseech them in love. And as ministers are to set an example, others must follow them, as far as they follow Christ in faith and practice. Christians may mistake and differ in their views, but Christ and Christian truth are the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Whenever the gospel is effectual, it comes not in word only, but also in power, by the Holy Spirit, quickening dead sinners, delivering persons from the slavery of sin and Satan, renewing them both inwardly and outwardly, and comforting, strengthening, and establishing the saints, which cannot be done by the persuasive language of men, but by the power of God. And it is a happy temper, to have the spirit of love...

Verse 17. _FOR THIS CAUSE_] That you imitate me, and know in what this consists. _I SENT UNTO YOU TIMOTHEUS_] The same person to whom he wrote the two epistles that are still extant under his name, and whom he calls here his _beloved son_, one of his most _intimate disciples_; and whom he had been the means of _bringing to God_ through Christ. _MY WAYS WHICH BE IN CHRIST_] This person will also inform you of the _manner_ in which I regulate all the Churches; and show to you, that what I require of you is no other than what I require of all the Churches of Christ which I have formed, as I follow the same plan of discipline in every place. See the _Introduction_, sect. iii....

FOR THIS CAUSE - In order to remind you of my doctrines and my manner of life. Since I am hindered from coming myself, I have sent a fellow laborer as my messenger, well acquainted with my views and feelings, that he might do what I would do if I were present. HAVE I SENT UNTO YOU TIMOTHEUS - Timothy, the companion and fellow laborer of Paul. This was probably when Paul was at Ephesus. He sent Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia, probably with instruction to go to Corinth if convenient. Yet it was not quite certain that Timothy would come to them, for in 1 Corinthians 16:10, he expresses a doubt whether he would. Paul was probably deeply engaged in Asia, and did not think it proper then for him to leave his field of labor. He probably supposed also, that Timothy, as his ambassador, would be able to settle

EXPOSITION 1 CORINTHIANS 4:1 _Judgments, human and Divine, respecting ministers._ 1 CORINTHIANS 4:1 LET A MAN SO ACCOUNT OF US. Since it is inevitable that Christians should form some estimate of the position of their ministers, he proceeds to tell them what that estimate should be. Ministers are not to be unduly magnified, for their position is subordinate; they are not to be unduly depreciated, for if they are faithful they may appeal from frivolous human prejudices and careless depreciations to that only Judge and Master before whom they stand or fall. MINISTERS; here _huperetas; _in...

FOR THIS CAUSE HAVE I SENT UNTO YOU TIMOTHEUS,.... This is an instance of his care of them, concern for them and respect unto them; that he not only writes unto them, giving his best advice and counsel, promising to come unto them; but in the mean while sends Timothy to them, whose character is here given as one dear to him, and in all things trusty and faithful: WHO IS MY BELOVED SON; so, in his epistles to him, he often styles him his son, his own son in the faith, his dearly beloved son; not that he was the instrument of his conversion, for he was a disciple of Christ before the apostle was acquainted with him; see Acts 16:1 but either because of his age, he being younger than he; or because of his great affection for him; and chiefly because, as a son with a father, he served him in the Gospel,...

SON (Greek, "teknon", a "child", "born one")....

1 CORINTHIANS 4:17 Cristw|/ @VIhsou/# {C} Among the several variations presented by the manuscripts, the Western reading of D* F G (“in Lord _[sic]_ Jesus”) is clearly a scribal corruption (k®w® for c®w®) under the influence of the preceding kuri,w|. It is more difficult to decide between Cristw|/ VIhsou/ (î46 a C 33 81 1739 _al_) and simply Cristw|/ (A B Y 0150 _al_). In order to represent the balance of evidence, the Committee decided to retain VIhsou/ but to enclose it within square brackets....

CHAPTER 4 _ 1. Servants of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God. (1 Corinthians 4:1)._ 2. Contrast Between Self-Glorification and Humiliation. (1 Corinthians 4:6). 3. Admonition to Beloved Children. (1 Corinthians 4:14). Paul speaks of himself and the fellow workmen as servants of Christ and the stewards of the mysteries of God. They were serving under Christ. Apollos, though not an Apostle, is included by Paul. Apollos with his great eloquence probably appealed strongly to the Corinthians and thus the party spirit had been fostered among them. But Paul classes Apollos with himself; he might have told the Corinthians that Apollos was not an Apostle and