1 Corinthians 4 · Verse 17

1 Corinthians 4:17

For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
1 Corinthians 4:17, King James Version

1 Corinthians 4:17 in other translations

BSBThat is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church.
WEBBecause of this I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every assembly.
ASVFor this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall put you in remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every church.
YLTbecause of this I sent to you Timotheus, who is my child, beloved and faithful in the Lord, who shall remind you of my ways in Christ, according as everywhere in every assembly I teach.
DARBYFor this reason I have sent to you Timotheus, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall put you in mind of my ways as they are in Christ, according as I teach everywhere in every assembly.
BBEFor this cause I have sent Timothy to you, who is my dear and true child in the Lord; he will make clear to you my ways in Christ, even as I am teaching everywhere in every church.
WebsterFor this cause have I sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who will bring you into remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

What does 1 Corinthians 4:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
17. For this came--that ye may the better "be followers of me" (1Co 4:16), through his admonitions. sent ... Timotheus--(1Co 16:10; Ac 19:21, 22). "Paul purposed ... when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem. So he sent into Macedonia Timotheus and Erastus." Here it is not expressly said that he sent Timothy into Achaia (of which Corinth was the capital), but it is implied, for he sent him with Erastus before him. As he therefore purposed to go into Achaia himself, there is every probability they were to go thither also. They are said only to have been sent into Macedonia, because it was the country to which they went immediately from Ephesus. The undesignedness of the coincidence establishes the genuineness of both the Epistle and the history. In both, Timothy's journey is closely connected with Paul's own (compare 1Co 4:19). Erastus is not specified in the Epistle, probably because it was Timothy who was charged with Paul's orders, and possibly Erastus was a Corinthian, who, in accompanying Timothy, was only returning home. The seeming discrepancy at least shows that the passages were not taken from one another [Paley, Horæ Paulinæ]. son--that is, converted by me (compare 1Co 4:14, 15; Ac 14:6, 7; with Ac 16:1, 2; 1Ti 1:2, 18; 2Ti 1:2). Translate, "My son, beloved and faithful in the Lord." bring you into remembrance--Timothy, from his spiritual connection with Paul, as converted by him, was best suited to remind them of the apostle's walk and teaching (2Ti 3:10), which they in some respects, though not altogether (1Co 11:2), had forgotten. as I teach ... in every church--an argument implying that what the Spirit directed Paul to teach "everywhere" else, must be necessary at Corinth also (1Co 7:17).

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 17. For this cause. In order to remind you of my doctrines and my manner Of life. Since I am hindered from coming myself, I have sent a fellow-labourer as my messenger, well acquainted with my views and feelings, that he might do what I would do if I were present.

Have I sent unto you Timotheus. Timothy, the companion and fellow-labourer of Paul. This was probably when Paul was at Ephesus. He sent Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia, probably with instructions to go to Corinth if convenient. Yet it was not quite certain that Timothy would come to them; for, in 1Cor 16:10, he expresses a doubt whether he would. Paul was probably deeply engaged in Asia, and did not think it proper then for him to leave his field of labour. He probably supposed also, that Timothy, as his ambassador, would be able to settle the difficulties in Corinth as well as if he were himself present.

My beloved son. In the gospel. See Acts 16:1-3, 1Timm 1:2. He supposed, therefore, that they would listen to him with great respect.

And faithful in the Lord. A true Christian and a faithful servant of Christ; and who is, therefore, worthy of your confidence.

Of my ways. My doctrine, my teaching, my mode of life.

Which be in Christ. That is, my Christian life; my ministry; or my conduct as a Christian and a follower of the Saviour.

As I teach every where, etc. This was designed probably to show them that he taught them no new or peculiar doctrines; he wished them simply to conform to the common rules of the churches, and to be like their Christian brethren everywhere. The Christian church is founded everywhere on the same doctrines; is bound to obey the same laws; and is fitted to produce and cherish the same sprat. The same spirit that was required in Ephesus or Antioch, was required at Corinth; the same spirit that was required at Corinth, at Ephesus, or at Antioch, is required now.

(+) "Timotheus" "Timothy" (++) "remembrance" "Who will remind you"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 17 For this cause - That you imitate me, and know in what this consists. I sent unto you Timotheus - The same person to whom he wrote the two epistles that are still extant under his name, and whom he calls here his beloved son, one of his most intimate disciples; and whom he had been the means of bringing to God through Christ. My ways which be in Christ - This person will also inform you of the manner in which I regulate all the Churches; and show to you, that what I require of you is no other than what I require of all the Churches of Christ which I have formed, as I follow the same plan of discipline in every place. See the Introduction, Section 3.

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 4:17 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.

διὰdiaOn account ofG1223
τοῦτοtoutothisG3778
ἔπεμψαepempsaI sentG3992
ὑμῖνhuminto youG4771
Τιμόθεον,TimotheonTimothy,G5095
ὅςhoswhoG3739
ἐστίνestinisG1510
μουmoumyG3165
τέκνονteknonchildG5043
ἀγαπητὸνagapētonbelovedG27
καὶkaiandG2532
πιστὸνpistonfaithfulG4103
ἐνenin [the]G1722
κυρίῳ,kuriōLord,G2962
ὃςhoswhoG3739
ὑμᾶςhumasyouG4771
ἀναμνήσειanamnēseiwill remind ofG363
τὰςtastheG3588
ὁδούςhodouswaysG3598
μουmouof mineG3165
τὰςtasthat [are]G3588
ἐνeninG1722
ΧριστῷChristōChristG5547
Ἰησοῦ,IēsouJesus,G2424
καθὼςkathōseven asG2531
πανταχοῦpantachoueverywhereG3837
ἐνeninG1722
πάσῃpasēeveryG3956
ἐκκλησίᾳekklēsiachurchG1577
διδάσκω.¶didaskōI teach.G1321

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

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 4:17

  • 1 Timothy 1:2

    Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:10

    Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:17

    But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

  • 2 Timothy 1:2

    To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:1

    Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:33

    For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:2

    Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

  • 2 Timothy 3:10

    But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3

    And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

  • Revelation 2:10

    Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:25

    Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.

  • Colossians 1:7

    As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
I sent.
16:10; Ac 19:21,22; Php 2:19; 1Th 3:2,3
who is.
15; 1Ti 1:2; 2Ti 1:2
faithful.
2; 7:25; Nu 12:7; Pr 13:17; Mt 24:45; 25:21,23; Eph 6:21; Col 1:7; 4:9
2Ti 2:2; Re 2:10,13
my ways.
7:17; 11:2,16; 16:1; 2Ti 3:10
in.
14:33

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

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 4:16

    Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:17

    For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:18

    Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 4:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Por lo cual os he enviado á Timoteo, que es mi hijo amado y fiel en el Señor, el cual os amonestará de mis caminos cuáles sean en Cristo, de la manera que enseño en todas partes en todas las iglesias.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		C’est pourquoi je vous ai envoyé Timothée, qui est mon enfant bien-aimé et qui est fidèle dans le Seigneur; il vous fera souvenir de mes voies en Christ, selon que j’enseigne partout dans chaque assemblée.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Dieserhalb habe ich euch Timotheus gesandt, der mein geliebtes und treues Kind ist in dem Herrn; der wird euch erinnern an meine Wege, die in Christo sind, gleichwie ich überall in jeder Versammlung lehre.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Ideo misi ad vos Timotheum, qui est filius meus carissimus, et fidelis in Domino: qui vos commonefaciet vias meas, quæ sunt in Christo Jesu, sicut ubique in omni ecclesia doceo.