1 Corinthians 4:21

What will ye? shall. come unto you with. rod, or in love and. spirit of gentleness?

'What will ye?' -'What do you desire?' (NASV) 'Which do you choose or prefer?' (McGarvey p. 71) 'When Paul arrives in Corinth he will not confine himself to words and teachings and rebukes. He will act. How shall he act? This will depend altogether upon the Corinthians.' (Erdman p. 62) 'Come he will, but it is for them to decide whether his visit will be. painful or. pleasant one.' (F.F. Bruce p. 52)

'with. rod' -to punish, because they refuse to change and repent.. stern look and all the authority of heaven behind him!

'in love and. spirit of gentleness' -'a loving and gentle spirit' (TCNT) 'Members should realize that they determine on what subjects and with what disposition. preacher shall preach by their own conduct.' (Willis p. 156) 'What he'd like to do they know well. The spirit of the meeting is in their power.' (McGuiggan p. 59)

Points to Note:

1.. preacher can't always deliver "positive lessons". He can't preach even "gentle" lessons, when he personally would prefer to. (2 Timothy 4:2)

2. We determine much of how people "respond" to us (Proverbs 15:1). Ultimately, we will determine whether God is stern or gentle with us at the final day. (Romans 2:4)

3. Opposition to the truth must be challenged. (Titus 1:10)

'Thus, in these first four Chapter s of his letter, Paul has sought to correct the party spirit at Corinth and to bring the Christians into. spirit of unity. It was the topic of which he needed to treat first; for only to. united church which recognized him as its founder could he address the stern commands and give the authoritative teachings which follow.' (Erdman p. 62)