1 Corinthians 4:20

1 Corinthians 4:21 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

"What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline or with love and a spirit of gentleness?"

— 1 Corinthians 4:21, NET Bible

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1 Corinthians 4:21 in Other Translations

6 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
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

Some have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.

But I will come to you soon, if the Lord is willing, and I will find out not only the talk of these arrogant people, but also their power.

For the kingdom of God is demonstrated not in idle talk but with power.

What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

1 Corinthians 4:21 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions

What does 1 Corinthians 4:21 say?

1 Corinthians 4:21 in the NET Bible reads: “What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline or with love and a spirit of gentleness?”

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 (NET): “What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline or with love and a spirit of gentleness?” 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 net — What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

Read in Another Translation

1 Corinthians 4:21 in Other Translations

1 Corinthians 4 — Context

1 Corinthians 4:21 — Frequently Asked Questions

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