1 Corinthians 4:15 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Many may guide the Corinthians, but Paul holds a unique fatherly bond, for he brought them to new life through the gospel.
What Does 1 Corinthians 4:15 Mean?
Paul explains why he can call them his children. The Corinthians may have countless guides and guardians, but a father is different and rare. He alone first brought them the gospel through which they were born anew.
The image of being 'begotten through the gospel' captures how spiritual life begins, by the good news taking root in the heart and bringing forth new birth. Paul's authority over them is not that of a hired tutor but of one whose own labor God used to give them life in Christ. This bond grounds his appeal: he speaks not to control them but as one who loves them with a father's heart and longs to see them grow.
1 Corinthians 4:15 in the Original Language
gennao (γεννάω), 'begotten' -- to father or give birth to, to bring into being as a parent does a child.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 4:15
What does 1 Corinthians 4:15 mean?
Many may guide the Corinthians, but Paul holds a unique fatherly bond, for he brought them to new life through the gospel.