Paul’s Appeal and Warning

¹⁴ I am writing this not to shame you^(A) but to warn you as my dear children.^{(B) 15} Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father^(C) through the gospel.^{(D) 16} Therefore I urge you to imitate me.^{(E) 17} For this reason I have sent to you^(F) Timothy,^(G) my son^(H) whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.^(I)

¹⁸ Some of you have become arrogant,^(J) as if I were not coming to you.^{(K) 19} But I will come to you very soon,^(L) if the Lord is willing,^(M) and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. ²⁰ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of^(N) talk but of power.^{(O) 21} What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline,^(P) or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?

¹³ As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children^(A)—open wide your hearts^(B) also.

¹⁹ My dear children,^(A) for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,^(B)

¹¹ For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,^(A)

² To Timothy^(A) my true son^(B) in the faith:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.^(C)

² To Timothy,^(A) my dear son:^(B)

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.^(C)

¹⁰ that I appeal to you for my son^(A) Onesimus,^[a](B) who became my son while I was in chains.^(C)

2 My dear children,^(A) I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate^(B) with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.