• 1 Corinthians 4:15
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 15 ἐὰν if ever γὰρ for μυρίους myriad παιδαγωγοὺς child leaders ἔχητε YOU may have ἐν in Χριστῷ, Christ, ἀλλ’ but οὐ not πολλοὺς many πατέρας, fathers, ἐν in γὰρ for Χριστῷ Christ Ἰησοῦ Jesus διὰ through τοῦ the εὐαγγελίου good news ἐγὼ I ὑμᾶς YOU ἐγέννησα. I generated.

  • 1 Corinthians Study Notes—Chapter 4
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 4:15

      guardians: Or “tutors.” In Bible times, many wealthy Greek and Roman households included a guardian, or tutor. The guardian was a trusted slave or a hired worker. It was his responsibility to accompany a child to and from school and to protect the child from physical or moral harm. The guardian might also be responsible for a measure of the child’s moral instruction and even discipline. (Ga 3:24, 25) Paul here uses the term figuratively to describe the men who were entrusted with the spiritual care of the Corinthian Christians.​—1Co 3:6, 10.

      I have become your father: Paul here compares himself to a father because some of the Corinthian Christians were his children in a spiritual sense. During the year and six months he spent there, he had personally brought the good news to many. (Ac 18:7-11) He was instrumental in founding the congregation in Corinth and in nourishing them spiritually. (1Co 3:5, 6, 10; compare 3Jo 4.) However, Paul was not suggesting that the word “father” be applied to him as a title, for that would violate Christ’s clear direction.​—Mt 23:8, 9; see study note on Mt 23:9.