1 Corinthians 4:14

“I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I admonish you.” ᾿Εντρέπειν, to turn one back upon himself, and hence: to cause shame. The apostle no doubt spoke to them in a humiliating way; but his object was quite different from that of causing them shame; he wished to lead them with a firm hand into another way. It is somewhat different in 1 Corinthians 6:5 and 1 Corinthians 15:34; here he has positively the intention of making them ashamed.

We need not read with some Mjj., νουθετῶν, admonishing you. This form is imitated from the preceding participle. It is a new proposition: “This is what I really do when speaking to you thus.” Νουθετεῖν, in a manner: to bring back the mind to its place; to lead one back to a calm and settled frame.

Paul has the right and it is his duty to act thus, for he is their spiritual father. He is himself the only one of their preachers who merits the name; this is what is brought out by the pronoun μου : “ my children. ” The following verse justifies the pronoun with its exclusive bearing.