1 Corinthians 4:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He wished and hastened to come himself. But since this was not yet possible, he admonishes them by the promise of his coming, and also by sending a disciple. “For this reason,” he says, “I have sent Timothy to you.”

“For this reason.” And why? Because I care for you as for children, as one who begot you. Then in the epistle he describes Timothy's person: “my beloved and faithful son in the Lord.”

By these words he expresses his love and at the same time disposes them to receive him with respect. Not simply “faithful,” but “in the Lord,” that is, in the works of the Lord.

If it is praiseworthy to be faithful in worldly affairs, much more so in spiritual affairs. If he was his beloved son, then consider how great Paul's love was, when he resolved to be separated from him for the Corinthians.

If he is faithful, he will order matters blamelessly. “Who will remind you.” He did not say, “he will teach,” lest they be grieved as though they had to learn from him.

Therefore at the end of the epistle he also said of him: “for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do” (1 Cor 16:10). Therefore let no one despise him.

There was no envy among the apostles. They had one thing in view, the divine economy of the Church. Even if the one acting was lesser than others, they assisted him with all zeal.

Therefore he was not content with the words, “he will remind you,” but carries the discourse further, striving to destroy envy in them, since Timothy was young. Therefore he adds, “my ways.”

Not his own ways, but mine. That is, ordinances, dangers, customs, laws, institutions, apostolic rules, and all the rest.

After saying, “we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless,” he says: he will remind you of all this also, and of the laws of Christ, in order to destroy heresies.

Then, raising his discourse higher, he adds, “which are in Christ.” According to his custom, he ascribes everything to the Master, and thereby confirms the trustworthiness of what follows.

Therefore he continues: “as I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Cor 4:17). I have said nothing new to you. All the other Churches will confirm this.

He says that his ways are in Christ, showing that they contain nothing human, and that he accomplishes everything by help from above.

Having said this and admonished them, he wishes to proceed to rebuke the incestuous man. He again utters words filled with anger, not because he himself was in such a state, but in order to correct them.

Moreover, leaving the incestuous man aside, he turns his discourse to others. He does not even deem him worthy of his words, as we also do with servants who have gravely offended us.

Having said, “I have sent Timothy to you,” and fearing that they might become more careless because of this, see what he says: “some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.”

Here he touches both them and certain others, wishing to cast down their arrogance. Indeed, to give oneself over to pride during the teacher's absence is the sin of ambition.

Turning his discourse to all the others, see how he shames them. But when he turns to the guilty, he speaks much more strongly.

To the former he says, “trampled by all,” and admonishes them with the words: “I do not write these things to shame you.” To the latter he says: “some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.”

He shows that pride belongs to a childish mind, since children also become more careless in the teacher's absence. Thus it is also revealed that his mere presence is enough to correct them.

As the presence of a lion brings all animals into fear, so the presence of Paul brings fear upon those who corrupt the Church.

"He will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church." He did not say, "he will teach," so that they would not be offended, for Timothy was young. Rather, he said, "he will remind." He will renew in your memory what you already knew before.

By "ways" he means arrangements joined to preaching, rules, customs, and divine laws. He will remind you how I conduct myself, namely, that I am not puffed up as you are, and do not introduce quarrels and divisions.

"In Christ" means that there is nothing human in these ways, but everything is in Christ, or is accomplished with Christ's help. 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 thing to all. Be ashamed, then, that you alone among all the Churches have departed from my ways.

For this same reason he first sent Timothy. Wise rulers also act in this way, sending messengers to their faithful subjects to prepare them for a worthy and joyful meeting with them. Only unfaithful and wicked servants need the unexpected appearance of those who have authority over them.

If this is so in ordinary wise governance, then in spiritual guidance preventive measures of meekness and love are still more necessary. With these the Apostle Paul hastens to the Corinthians, although it seems some of them needed severe measures, such as the incestuous man discussed later.

According to Saint John Chrysostom's explanation, the Apostle here rises chiefly against those proud of eloquence. Therefore he presents the Apostle as if saying to the Corinthians: "Now the arena and the time belong not to rhetoricians, but to Apostles who proclaim the truth and confirm it by signs performed by the power of the Spirit.

Thus, if those who now exalt themselves wish to be great, then when I come let them show whether they have such power. Let them not display to me the pomp of eloquence, for that art is of no use to us."

This is the same sending of Timothy mentioned in Acts 19:22. There it says that Saint Paul, having resolved in the spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia, sent Timothy and Erastus ahead to Corinth.

“See how noble Paul's soul is, and how more fiery and lively than fire! He wished to come himself to the Corinthians, who were in grave illness and confusion. For he knew well how useful his presence was to the disciples, and what harm attended his absence.

He wished and hastened to come himself. But since this was not yet possible, he admonishes them by the promise of his coming, and meanwhile sends them a disciple” (Chrysostom).

After Saint Timothy had departed, those sent by the Corinthians also came: Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus (16:17), with a letter. On that occasion this epistle is written.

“I have sent Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord.” “The Apostle showed his affection for the Corinthians by sending Timothy to them. He showed his love for Timothy by calling him a beloved child. He also declared another virtue of his, calling him faithful in the Lord” (Theodoret).

Saint Timothy was known in Corinth, for he had been there with Saint Paul at the first planting of the faith. Yet the Apostle deemed it necessary to set forth his good qualities and his closeness to himself.

He did this because the Corinthians had proved very forgetful, when they had forgotten even the dignity of their own Apostle.

“Therefore by these words he both expresses his love for Timothy and disposes the Corinthians to receive him with respect. He says, ‘a beloved and faithful child.’ Not simply faithful, but faithful in the Lord, that is, in the works of the Lord.

If it is praiseworthy to be faithful in worldly affairs, much more so in spiritual affairs. And if he is faithful, he will order matters blamelessly” (Chrysostom).

“He will remind you of my ways.” Here both a rebuke is heard and the voice of love, striving in every way to soften the word. The rebuke appears if it is understood thus: “He did not say that Timothy would inform them of his ways, but would remind them.

This word accuses them of forgetfulness, because they had been eyewitnesses of the Apostle's virtue” (Theodoret), and of his activity. They had probably also heard how the Apostle acted everywhere.

But this did not remain in their minds, and they acted as though they knew none of it. Yet it was enough to remember this, in order to keep themselves in due order.

The voice of love, softening the word, appears if it is understood thus: “He did not say, ‘he will teach,’ but, ‘he will remind,’ lest they be grieved as though they had to learn from him.

Nor was he content with this word, but, carrying the discourse further, he adds, ‘my ways.’ Not his own ways, but mine. For Timothy was young” (Chrysostom).

He will not speak in his own person or about himself. He will be the representative of an authoritative person and will act by his commission. Pay heed: “my ways.”

This word embraces the whole manner of apostolic action in planting Churches: how he began preaching, how he carried it on, how he dealt with believers, what order he established, and in what relation he placed believers toward those who presided.

Therefore he says, “my ways in Christ.” These are not my private affairs, but how I act in the work entrusted to me by the Lord, the preaching of the Gospel.

“He,” says the Apostle, “will tell how I act, for by ways he means his manner of action” (Theodoret). “That is, the ordinances, customs, laws, institutions, apostolic rules, and all the rest” (Chrysostom).

“As I teach everywhere in every church.” “I teach” means not doctrine alone, or the imparting of truth, but instruction in general. It includes admonition and the establishment of every order.

When newly enlisted soldiers are given to experienced soldiers for instruction, the latter do not merely tell them what must be done. They train them by action in how to act.

So it is here. “I teach” means: I train the Churches. I impart the truths to them, instruct them how to live, show them how to perform the mysteries, and set the whole Church in order.

By this the Apostle suggested that nowhere had he taught anything special, and nowhere had he established different orders. As among you, so everywhere.

This alone should have strongly rebuked and admonished them. Everywhere there is one thing. Why are you introducing such novelties among yourselves?

“Be ashamed! No Church departs from my ways except you” (Theophylact).