1 Corinthians 4:14

“I write not these things to shame you, etc.] Though they had a great deal of reason to be ashamed of the vain opinion they had of themselves, and that they suffered the faithful ministers of Christ to want the necessaries of life, when they abounded so much with the good things of it; and though the apostle’s view in giving this narrative was to bring them under a sense of their faults, and to a conviction of them, and so to shame for them, in order to their future reformation and amendment; yet it was not merely to put them to the blush, but to admonish and instruct them, that he enlarged on these things: but as my beloved sons I warn you; they being his children in a spiritual sense, for…”

“warn--rather, "admonish" as a father uses "admonition" to "beloved sons," not provoking them to wrath (Eph 6:4). The Corinthians might well be "ashamed" at the disparity of state between the father, Paul, and his spiritual children themselves.”

“To shame you - It is not my design to put you to shame by showing you how little you suffer in comparison with us. This is not our design, though it may have this effect. I have no wish to make you ashamed, to appear to triumph over you or merely to taunt you. My design is higher and nobler than this. But as my beloved sons - As my dear children. I speak as a father to his children, and I say these things for your good. No father would desire to make his children ashamed. In his counsels, entreaties, and admonitions, he would have a higher object than that. I warn you - I do not say these things in a harsh manner, with a severe spirit of rebuke; but in order to admonish you, to suggest…”

“I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you - It is with admirable prudence and sweetness the apostle adds this, to prevent any unkind construction of his words. 1 Corinthians 4:15”

“4:14-21 Paul concludes this section on divisions in the church (1:10–4:21) with gentle words of fatherly admonition and warning. 4:14-16 As their spiritual father who first brought them the Good News, Paul affirms his genuine concern for their well-being (cp. 1 Thes 2:11-12). As his beloved children, they should listen to their father and imitate his example and teachings (see 1 Cor 11:1; Gal 4:12; Phil 3:17; 4:9; 1 Thes 1:6; 2 Thes 3:7-9).”

“write: Co1 9:15; Co2 7:3, Co2 12:19 my: Co1 4:15; Co2 6:11-13, Co2 11:11, Co2 12:14, Co2 12:15; Th1 2:11 I: Eze 3:21; Act 20:31; Col 1:28; Th1 5:14 1 Corinthians 4:15”