1 Corinthians 4 · Verse 15

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.
1 Corinthians 4:15, King James Version

1 Corinthians 4:15 in other translations

BSBEven 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.
WEBFor though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, you don’t have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Good News.
ASVFor though ye have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel.
YLTfor if a myriad of child-conductors ye may have in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus, through the good news, I--I did beget you;
DARBYFor if ye should have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the glad tidings.
BBEFor even if you had ten thousand teachers in Christ, you have not more than one father: for in Christ Jesus I have given birth to you through the good news.
WebsterFor 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.

What does 1 Corinthians 4:15 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
15. ten thousand--implying that the Corinthians had more of them than was desirable. instructors--tutors who had the care of rearing, but had not the rights, or peculiar affection, of the father, who alone had begotten them spiritually. in Christ--Paul admits that these "instructors" were not mere legalists, but evangelical teachers. He uses, however, a stronger phrase of himself in begetting them spiritually, "In Christ Jesus," implying both the Saviour's office and person. As Paul was the means of spiritually regenerating them, and yet "baptized none of them save Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas," regeneration cannot be inseparably in and by baptism (1Co 1:14-17).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 15. For though ye have ten thousand instructors. Though you may have, or though you should have. It matters not how many you have, yet it is still true that I only sustain the relation to you of spiritual father; and whatever respect it is proper for you to have toward them, yet there is a peculiar right which I have to admonish you, and a peculiar deference which is due to me, from my early labours among you, and from the fact that you are my spiritual children.

Instructors. Greek, Pedagogues; or those who conducted children to school, and who superintended their conduct out of school-hours. Hence those who had the care of children, or teachers in general. It is then applied to instructors of any kind.

In Christ. In the Christian system or doctrine. The authority which Paul claims here, is that which a father has in preference to such an instructor.

Not many fathers. Spiritual fathers. That is, you have but one. You are to remember that however many teachers you have, yet that I alone am your spiritual father.

In Christ Jesus. By the aid and authority of Christ. I have begotten you by preaching his gospel and by his assistance.

I have begotten you. I was the instrument of your conversion.

Through the gospel. By means of the gospel; by preaching it to you; that is, by the truth.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 15 For though ye have ten thousand instructers - Μυριους παιδαγωγους, Myriads of leaders, that is, an indefinite multitude; for so the word is often used. The παιδαγωγος, from which we have our word pedagogue, which we improperly apply to a school master, was among the Greeks, the person or servant who attended a child, had the general care of him, and who led him to school for the purpose of being instructed by the διδασκαλος, or teacher. It seems there were many at Corinth who offered their services to instruct this people, and who were not well affected towards the apostle. Not many fathers - Many offer to instruct you who have no parental feeling for you; and how can they? you are not their spiritual children, yon stand in this relation to me alone; for in Christ Jesus - by the power and unction of his Spirit, I have begotten you - I was the means of bringing you into a state of salvation, so that you have been born again: ye are my children alone in the Gospel. Schoettgen produces a good illustration of this from Shemoth Rabba, sect. 46, fol. 140. "A girl who had lost her parents was educated by a guardian, who was a good and faithful man, and took great care of her; when she was grown up, he purposed to bestow her in marriage; the scribe came, and beginning to write the contract, said, What is thy name? The maid answered, N. The scribe proceeded, What is the name of thy father? The maid was silent. Her guardian said, Why art thou silent? The maid replied, Because I know no other father but thee; for he who educates a child well, is more properly the father than he who begot it." This is the same kind of sentiment which I have already quoted from Terence, Rom 16:13. Natura tu illi pater es, consiliis ego. Adelphi, Act i., scene 2, ver. 47. Thou art his father by nature, I by instruction.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

In reproving for sin, we should distinguish between sinners and their sins. Reproofs that kindly and affectionately warn, are likely to reform. Though the apostle spoke with authority as a parent, he would rather beseech them in love. And as ministers are to set an example, others must follow them, as far as they follow Christ in faith and practice. Christians may mistake and differ in their views, but Christ and…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 4:14-21 →

1 Corinthians 4:15 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἐὰνeanIfG1437
γὰρgarforG1063
μυρίουςmuriousten thousandG3463
παιδαγωγοὺςpaidagōgousguardiansG3807
ἔχητεechēteyou shall haveG2192
ἐνeninG1722
ΧριστῷChristōChristG5547
ἀλλ᾽all᾽yetG235
οὐounotG3756
πολλοὺςpollousmanyG4183
πατέρας·paterasfathers;G3962
ἐνeninG1722
γὰρgarforG1063
ΧριστῷChristōChristG5547
ἸησοῦIēsouJesusG2424
διὰdiathroughG1223
τοῦtoutheG3588
εὐαγγελίουeuangeliougospelG2098
ἐγὼegōI myselfG1473
ὑμᾶςhumasyouG4771
ἐγέννησα.¶egennēsabegot.G1080

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 4:15

  • 1 Corinthians 3:10

    According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

  • Galatians 4:19

    My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

  • 1 Peter 1:23

    Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:14

    Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:23

    And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

  • Acts 18:4-11

    And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. …

  • Philemon 1:10-12

    I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

  • 2 Timothy 4:3

    For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

  • Titus 1:4

    To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:18

    What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

  • Romans 15:20

    Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:

  • James 1:18

    Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
ye have.
2Ti 4:3
for.
3:6,10; 9:1,2; Ac 18:4-11; Ro 15:20; 2Co 3:1-3; Ga 4:19; Tit 1:4
Phm 1:10-12,19; Jas 1:18; 1Pe 1:23

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 4:14

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

  • 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:16

    Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 4:15 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque aunque tengáis diez mil ayos en Cristo, no tendréis muchos padres; que en Cristo Jesús yo os engendré por el evangelio.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car quand vous auriez 10 000 maîtres dans le Christ, vous n’avez cependant pas beaucoup de pères, car moi je vous ai engendrés dans le christ Jésus par l’évangile.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn wenn ihr zehntausend Zuchtmeister in Christo hättet, so doch nicht viele Väter; denn in Christo Jesu habe ich euch gezeugt durch das Evangelium.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Nam si decem millia pædagogorum habeatis in Christo, sed non multos patres. Nam in Christo Jesu per Evangelium ego vos genui.