1 Corinthians 4:20

1 Corinthians 4:21 cpdv — What would you prefer? Should I return to you with a rod, or with charity and a spirit of meekness?

Catholic Public Domain Version

"What would you prefer? Should I return to you with a rod, or with charity and a spirit of meekness? "

— 1 Corinthians 4:21, Catholic Public Domain Version

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

1 Corinthians 4:21 in Other Translations

7 versions All translations

KJV
“What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? ”
King James Version · Read this chapter in KJV
ASV
“What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness? ”
American Standard Version · Read this chapter in ASV
WEB
“What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?”
World English Bible · Read this chapter in WEB
NET
“What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline or with love and a spirit of gentleness?”
NET Bible · Read this chapter in NET
DRB
“What will you? Shall I come to you with a rod? Or in charity and in the spirit of meekness? ”
Douay-Rheims Bible · Read this chapter in DRB
BBE
“What is your desire? is my coming to be with punishment, or is it to be in love and a gentle spirit?”
Bible in Basic English · Read this chapter in BBE
KJVA
“What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? ”
King James Version with Apocrypha · Read this chapter in KJVA

1 Corinthians 4 — Context

Certain persons have become inflated in thinking that I would not return to you.

But I will return to you soon, if the Lord is willing. And I will consider, not the words of those who are inflated, but the virtue.

For the kingdom of God is not in words, but in virtue.

What would you prefer? Should I return to you with a rod, or with charity and a spirit of meekness?

1 Corinthians 4:21 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions

What does 1 Corinthians 4:21 say?

1 Corinthians 4:21 in the Catholic Public Domain Version reads: “What would you prefer? Should I return to you with a rod, or with charity and a spirit of meekness? ”

Where is 1 Corinthians 4:21 in the Bible?

1 Corinthians 4:21 is found in the New Testament, in the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 4, verse 21.

Who wrote 1 Corinthians?

1 Corinthians is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle. It was written c. AD 55.

What is the book of 1 Corinthians about?

Paul writes to a gifted but fractured church wrestling with divisions, sexual sin, lawsuits, marriage questions, food offered to idols, and disorder in worship. Through every issue he points back to the cross, the Spirit, and the resurrection — and gives us the church's greatest chapter on love.

What are the major themes of 1 Corinthians?

1 Corinthians explores themes including Unity, Cross, Spiritual Gifts, Love, Resurrection. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Corinthians 4:21.

What translation should I read 1 Corinthians 4:21 in?

1 Corinthians 4:21 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.

How can I memorize 1 Corinthians 4:21?

1 Corinthians 4:21 reads (CPDV): “What would you prefer? Should I return to you with a rod, or with charity and a spirit of meekness? ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.

1 Corinthians 4:21 cpdv — What would you prefer? Should I return to you with a rod, or with charity and a spirit of meekness?

Read in Another Translation

1 Corinthians 4:21 in Other Translations

1 Corinthians 4 — Context

1 Corinthians 4:21 — Frequently Asked Questions

Choose Theme

Light Themes 19

Dark Themes 11

Colorful Themes 2