1 Corinthians 4:14
New International Version
I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.

New Living Translation
I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.

English Standard Version
I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

Berean Standard Bible
I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.

Berean Literal Bible
I do not write these things shaming you, but admonishing you as my beloved children.

King James Bible
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

New King James Version
I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.

New American Standard Bible
I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

NASB 1995
I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

NASB 1977
I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

Legacy Standard Bible
I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

Amplified Bible
I do not write these things to shame you, but to warn and advise you as my beloved children.

Christian Standard Bible
I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children.

American Standard Version
I write not these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

Contemporary English Version
I am not writing to embarrass you. I want to help you, just as parents help their own dear children.

English Revised Version
I write not these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I'm not writing this to make you feel ashamed but to instruct you as my dear children.

Good News Translation
I write this to you, not because I want to make you feel ashamed, but to instruct you as my own dear children.

International Standard Version
I'm not writing this to make you feel ashamed, but to warn you as my dear children.

Majority Standard Bible
I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.

NET Bible
I am not writing these things to shame you, but to correct you as my dear children.

New Heart English Bible
I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

Webster's Bible Translation
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

Weymouth New Testament
I am not writing all this to shame you, but I am offering you advice as my dearly-loved children.

World English Bible
I don’t write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Not [as] putting you to shame do I write these things, but I admonish as my beloved children,

Berean Literal Bible
I do not write these things shaming you, but admonishing you as my beloved children.

Young's Literal Translation
Not as putting you to shame do I write these things, but as my beloved children I do admonish,

Smith's Literal Translation
Not shaming you, write I these, but as my beloved children I admonish you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I write not these things to confound you; but I admonish you as my dearest children.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I am not writing these things in order to confound you, but in order to admonish you, as my dearest sons.

New American Bible
I am writing you this not to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

New Revised Standard Version
I am not writing this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I do not write these things to make you feel ashamed, but to advise you as beloved children.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
I do not write these things to shame you, but I give admonition as to dear children.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
I do not write these things that I may make you ashamed; but as my beloved children I admonish you.

Godbey New Testament
I do not write these things shaming you, but admonishing you as my beloved children.

Haweis New Testament
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I admonish you.

Mace New Testament
This I don't write to give you any confusion, but by way of remonstrance, to you who are my dear children.

Weymouth New Testament
I am not writing all this to shame you, but I am offering you advice as my dearly-loved children.

Worrell New Testament
Not as shaming you, do I write these things, but as my beloved children, admonishing you.

Worsley New Testament
I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I admonish you:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul Warns his Children
13when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. 14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. 15Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.…

Cross References
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children— / encouraging you, comforting you, and urging you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

1 Corinthians 11:1
You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:13
As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

Galatians 4:19
My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,

Philippians 2:22
But you know Timothy’s proven worth, that as a child with his father he has served with me to advance the gospel.

1 Timothy 1:2
To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Timothy 1:2
To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Titus 1:4
To Titus, my true child in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Philemon 1:10
I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains.

Hebrews 12:5-6
And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. / For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.”

1 Peter 5:1
As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:

1 John 2:1
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

Proverbs 3:11-12
My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; / for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 4:1
Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.


Treasury of Scripture

I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

write.

1 Corinthians 9:15
But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

2 Corinthians 7:3
I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

2 Corinthians 12:19
Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

my.

1 Corinthians 4:15
For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

2 Corinthians 6:11-13
O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged…

2 Corinthians 11:11
Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.

I.

Ezekiel 3:21
Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

Acts 20:31
Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Colossians 1:28
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Jump to Previous
Admonish Advice Ashamed Beloved Chiding Children Dear Dearly-Loved Offering Putting Right Shame Warn Write Writing
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Admonish Advice Ashamed Beloved Chiding Children Dear Dearly-Loved Offering Putting Right Shame Warn Write Writing
1 Corinthians 4
1. In what account the apostles ought to be regarded.
7. We have nothing which we have not received.
9. The apostles spectacles to the world, angels, and men;
13. the filth and offscouring of the world;
15. yet our fathers in Christ;
16. whom we ought to follow.














I am not writing these things
The Apostle Paul begins this verse with a personal declaration, emphasizing his role as the author of the letter. The Greek word for "writing" (γράφω, graphō) indicates a deliberate and thoughtful communication. Paul’s letters were not casual notes but carefully crafted messages intended to instruct and guide the early church. This phrase sets the tone for the pastoral care and authority Paul exercises over the Corinthian believers.

to shame you
The Greek word for "shame" (ἐντρέπω, entrepō) conveys a sense of causing someone to feel disgrace or embarrassment. Paul clarifies that his intention is not to humiliate the Corinthians. In the cultural context of the Greco-Roman world, honor and shame were significant social constructs. Paul’s approach is counter-cultural; he seeks to build up rather than tear down, reflecting the Christian ethic of love and restoration.

but to warn you
The word "warn" (νουθετέω, noutheteō) in Greek carries the connotation of admonishing or instructing with the intent of correction. Paul’s purpose is corrective, aiming to guide the Corinthians back to the right path. This reflects the biblical principle found throughout Scripture that God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6). Paul’s warning is an act of love, seeking the spiritual well-being of the church.

as my beloved children
Paul uses the term "beloved" (ἀγαπητός, agapētos) to express deep affection. This word is derived from "agape," the highest form of love in the New Testament, often used to describe God’s love for humanity. By calling the Corinthians "children" (τέκνον, teknon), Paul emphasizes his paternal relationship with them. This familial language underscores the intimate and caring bond he shares with the church, akin to a father’s love and responsibility for his offspring. Historically, this reflects the early Christian community's understanding of spiritual kinship, where believers are seen as members of a family united in Christ.

(14) I write not these things to shame you.--Better, I write these things not as one making you ashamed, but I am warning you as beloved children. The mingled irony and reproach of the preceding verses here ceases, and from indignant expostulation the writer now turns to make a tender and touching appeal to their better nature and their sympathy. This abrupt and sudden change in style is characteristic of the writings of St. Paul. Similar passages are nowhere to be found in the writings of the other Apostles. The following verses to the end of this chapter soften the severity of this early part of the Epistle by explaining in what spirit he has written, and the right which he has as their "father in the faith" to so address them.

Verses 14-21. - The practical steps which he intends to take with reference to these party divisions. Verse 14. - To shame you. Such seems to be the meaning of the word, for it is so used in the LXX. (compare the use of the verb in 2 Thessalonians 3:14; Titus 2:8; and of the substantive in 1 Corinthians 6:5; 1 Corinthians 15:34). I warn; rather, I admonish. St. Paul here gives the reason why he cannot write angrily or bitterly, even though he has used strong expostulation and keen irony. It is because he regards himself as their spiritual father (comp. 2 Corinthians 6:13; 2 Corinthians 12:14, 15; 1 Thessalonians 2:11).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
I am not writing
γράφω (graphō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

this
ταῦτα (tauta)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

to shame
ἐντρέπων (entrepōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1788: From en and the base of trope; to invert, i.e. in a good sense, to respect; or in a bad one, to confound.

you,
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

but
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

to warn you
νουθετῶν (nouthetōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3560: To admonish, warn, counsel, exhort. From the same as nouthesia; to put in mind, i.e. to caution or reprove gently.

as
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

my
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

beloved
ἀγαπητὰ (agapēta)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 27: From agapao; beloved.

children.
τέκνα (tekna)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5043: A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 4:14 I don't write these things to shame (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
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