1 Corinthians 4:17-21

A command for Timothy to come 1 Corinthians 4:17-21: Paul sent Timothy unto them that they might learn how to imitate him. Their imitation of Paul simply meant that they followed the way of Christ. Timothy was Paul's son in the faith and his closest co-worker. What Paul expected of the church at Corinth was the same that he had expected from all the churches that he had helped to establish. The Word of God is the same for all mankind where ever they are, in whatever generation they live.

Some of the teachers at Corinth were acting very haughty because they did not believe Paul would revisit Corinth. Paul wanted to put to the test those that claimed to be teachers sent from God. If they were what they claimed to be they would be able to verify their teaching with powerful signs. Teachers sent from God were able to demonstrate the truth of their message by miracle. Paul could come to them with the gentleness of a father or he could come with the rod. We see, from the cases of Ananias and Sapphira that the apostles had the power to inflict awful punishments on the disobedient.