Well then, you will say, do others not love you? They do, he says, but not as I do. For they are tutors, but I am a father. So with children, although there is one father, while there may be many tutors, yet the affection of all of them together toward the children is far less in comparison with the love of one alone, that is, the father: so it is likewise between us. Note, incidentally, that he added the words "in Christ" to the tutors; this was so as not to strike them down entirely. However, although he attributed to them (the tutors) the more difficult task (for such is the duty of a tutor), he reserved the superiority of love for himself.
1 Cor. 4:15. I begot you in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.
Explaining in what way he is a father to them, he says: with the assistance of Christ "I begot you through the gospel," that is, I do not attribute this work to myself, as many among you do, but to Christ. He did not say, I taught, but: I begot, showing by the reference to nature his love for them and that they are his closest disciples, as he expresses this thought throughout the entire epistle.
1 Cor. 4:16. Therefore I beseech you: imitate me, as I imitate Christ.
Be imitators of me in all things, he says; be not puffed up by either wisdom or wealth, and do not be hostile toward the brethren, but place both wisdom and wealth in love for Christ and for the brethren. Notice the goodness of heart: he entreats, and does not command. And to offer oneself as a model for imitation — this is a sign of great boldness.
1 Cor. 4:17. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, my beloved and faithful son in the Lord.
Therefore, he says, because I care for you as children, I sent Timothy to you. I myself wanted to come and restore peace among you, but since I cannot accomplish this, I sent him, "my beloved son." He said this in order to show how much he loves them, since he resolved to be separated from Timothy for their sake, and at the same time to inspire in them respect for Timothy. "Faithful in the Lord," that is, not in worldly affairs, but in matters of the faith of Christ; therefore also in what concerns you, he will serve faithfully.
1 Cor. 4:17. Who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
He did not say "will teach," lest they be offended (for Timothy was young), but "will remind" — what you already knew before, he will renew in your memory. By "ways" he means the regulations, rules, customs, and divine laws connected with the preaching. He will remind you how I conduct myself, namely: I do not puff myself up, as you do; I do not introduce quarrels and divisions. "In Christ," that is, there is nothing human in these ways, but everything is in Christ, or is accomplished with the help of Christ. Timothy will also tell you how I teach in every Church; for I have told you nothing new — on the contrary, I teach the same things to all. Be ashamed, then, that you alone of all the Churches have deviated from my ways.
1 Cor. 4:18. As though I were not coming to you, some among you have become puffed up.
Having said, "I sent Timothy to you," in order to prevent them from becoming more careless because of this, he adds: although I myself am not coming now, and my absence has given some occasion for pride, for this very reason I will come later. He shows the childishness of their thinking; for it is characteristic only of children to behave disorderly when the teacher is not with them. Who then are these puffed up ones? The associates of the fornicator, who was both wise and rich, and simply — all those who exalted themselves in wisdom and wealth. These are the ones who were puffed up, as though Paul did not exist to reprove them.
1 Cor. 4:19. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills.
By these words he humbles the proud and rouses them to sobriety. And he well added: "if the Lord wills," for all things happen according to His command.
1 Cor. 4:19-20. And I will test not the words of those who are puffed up, but their power, for the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
The Corinthians, relying on eloquence, despised Paul as an unlearned man; therefore he says: I will look not at your eloquence, for it is not what is needed, but at the "power" manifested in signs. For the Kingdom of God was preached and established not by grandeur of speech, but by signs performed through the power of the Holy Spirit.
1 Cor. 4:21. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?
He calls "rod" punishment. So, he says: it depends on you whether I come to you with the one or the other. If you remain careless, I will come and punish you, as Elymas (Acts 13:8–11). But if you sober up, I will treat you with a spirit of gentleness. There is in him also a spirit of severity and punishment, but he names it from its better side, just as God too is called gracious and merciful, and not punishing, although He is in fact also such.