Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 4:17
That 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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian congregation from outside the city, in a passage addressing factional arrogance (4:14–21). He dispatches Timothy as his living representative to a church that has grown proud in his absence.
The words — ἐπέμψα (epempsa), "I sent," is aorist active indicative: a single, deliberate act of commissioning, not a casual mention.
The thread — The "child" language recurs in 1 Timothy 1:2 ("my true child in the faith"), and 1 Corinthians 16:10 confirms Timothy is "doing the work of the Lord" in the same community.
Why it lands — The verse demands that the reader treat Timothy's presence as Paul's own and that his teaching be recognized as uniform, not a local preference. It forecloses the argument that Paul's absence licenses a different standard.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 16:10 If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.
- 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.
- 1 Corinthians 7:17 Regardless, each one should lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is what I prescribe in all the churches.
- 2 Timothy 1:2 To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.
- 1 Corinthians 16:1 Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia:
- 1 Corinthians 7:25 Now about virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
- 1 Corinthians 11:2 Now I commend you for remembering me in everything and for maintaining the traditions, just as I passed them on to you.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:2 We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
- 2 Timothy 3:10 You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance,