1 Corinthians 4:18Meaning & 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.

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."

I will correct this omission. For the moment Timothy will do something among you, and afterward I myself will soon be there. Here a strong rebuke to them is hidden.

He speaks to them as though saying: what childish minds you have! When I am with you, or when there is fear that I will soon come, you are in order.

But as soon as I went away, and it seemed to you that I would not be there soon, you immediately forgot yourselves and disorders began among you. You are like children who become careless and unruly in the teacher's absence (Chrysostom, Theophylact).

In what way, and how, did some become proud? Very likely those among them who stood out from others by learning, wealth, perhaps Christian knowledge and works, and even spiritual gifts, began to think highly of themselves.

Then vainglory attached itself to this. Since in the absence of the authoritative teacher, the Apostle, there was no one to rebuke and correct them, they became wholly proud (Oecumenius).