1 Corinthians 4:14-21
We all know someone who is stubborn—maybe a friend, a family member, or even ourselves at times. Stubbornness often reveals itself when we refuse to listen, take advice, or change our ways. It’s a condition of pride, an attitude that insists, “I know best,” and it’s not uncommon for many of us to fall into this trap at one point or another.
Growing up, my dad was the perfect example of this kind of stubbornness. His pride prevented him from accepting advice or correction. No matter what anyone told him, he was determined to go his own way. Tragically, this mindset cost him his life. He couldn’t see that the path he was walking was one of destruction because pride blinds us to the truth.
I see a lot of myself in my dad’s stubbornness, and maybe you do too. Sometimes, I resist discipline or correction, but the Bible reminds us that pride leads to destruction. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” This is something Paul addresses directly in his letter to the Corinthian church.
The Stubbornness of the Corinthians
In 1 Corinthians 4:14-21, Paul is confronting the Corinthians about their spiritual pride. Some were claiming allegiance to different leaders—Paul, Apollos, Cephas (Peter), or even Christ. They were essentially saying, “I don’t need anyone else. I know what’s best for me.”
This attitude reflects a prideful heart, one that resists instruction and discipline. In Proverbs 12:1, we read, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” Paul wasn’t trying to shame them, but rather to admonish them as a father would his beloved children. He wanted them to understand that their stubbornness was leading them down a dangerous path.
Discipline: Painful, but Necessary
We all need correction, instruction, and discipline in our lives, but we often resist it. Hebrews 12:11 says, “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Paul’s intent wasn’t to hurt the Corinthians but to guide them back to the path of life. His goal was to lead them away from pride and toward humility. He saw himself as their spiritual father, one who deeply cared for their well-being and desired for them to follow Christ wholeheartedly.
Spiritual Fathers and Guides
In 1 Corinthians 4:15, Paul says, “For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” Paul had a unique role in the lives of the Corinthians—he wasn’t just another teacher or guide; he was their spiritual father, having led them to Christ through the gospel.
Just as children imitate their parents, Paul urged the Corinthians to imitate him as he followed Christ. He wasn’t asking them to blindly follow him, but rather to follow the example of his life and faith as it reflected Christ.
Faith in Word and Deed
It’s easy to talk about faith, but true faith is revealed in both our words and actions. Paul contrasts the arrogant talk of some in Corinth with the power of a life transformed by the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 4:20, he writes, “For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.”
James echoes this sentiment in James 2:17, saying, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Our faith is not just something we speak about—it’s something we live out.
The Discipline of God’s Love
Paul ends this section with a sobering choice for the Corinthians: “What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?” (1 Corinthians 4:21). It’s a reminder that love requires discipline. Sometimes, love looks like a wake-up call, a moment of correction when we’re headed in the wrong direction.
Just as a parent disciplines a child out of love, so too does God discipline us. He corrects, teaches, and sometimes rebukes us through His Word, through godly people, or even through difficult circumstances. Hebrews 12:6 reminds us, “The Lord disciplines the one He loves.”
How God Disciplines Us
God disciplines us in a few key ways:
- Through His Word:
- Scripture is God’s primary tool for correction. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” We need to spend time in His Word, listening for His voice and allowing Him to shape our hearts.
- Through People:
- Who has spiritual authority in your life? Who are the godly people you can imitate, and who can speak truth into your life when you need correction? Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” We all need faithful, godly people who can help us grow in our walk with Christ.
- Through Circumstances:
- Sometimes, when we fail to heed God’s Word or listen to the counsel of others, God gets our attention through difficult circumstances. Painful situations often serve as a wake-up call, prompting us to turn back to God. Even in these moments, God’s discipline is an act of love.
Conclusion: Responding to God’s Discipline
God’s discipline is not meant to shame or harm us; it’s meant to lead us to life. Just as Paul urged the Corinthians to turn from pride and follow the way of Christ, we too must respond to God’s discipline with humility and repentance.
Are you resisting God’s correction in your life? Are there areas of pride or stubbornness that you need to surrender to Him? Remember, God disciplines those He loves. His correction is always for our good and His glory.