1 Corinthians 4:14

1 Corinthians 4:14. write not these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

'to shame you' -'Some might misinterpret Paul's irony and sarcasm to mean that Paul had no feelings for the Corinthians.' (Willis p. 149)

Certainly the Corinthians should of been embarrassed. And these verses should have made them ashamed. And yet Paul's whole purpose in writing, isn't to humiliate them. Shame isn't the final goal, rather, "admonishing" that would lead to. corrected life is the goal. Paul wants to see them improve. In all of this, Paul had been seeking their highest good.

'admonish' -'Paul is, however, engaged in something that is far more important than merely making them ashamed, he is offering them Christian admonition..the verb means to appeal to the mind.' (Lenski p. 193)

'as my beloved children' -'Here and in the following verse Paul explicitly denies that his sharp words emanate from an "unfatherly" spirit and are lacking "love" as is sometimes asserted.' (Lenski p. 193)

Point to Note: This whole section of rebuke, came from the motive of love. Love does rebuke the sin, and love doesn't beat around the bush.