1 Corinthians 4:14

I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

To shame you. Paul feared that he had spoken too harshly, and set about to mitigate his severe remarks. There was reason for the Corinthian church members to be put to shame on account of their striving and party quarrels, and of their conceited ideas of their own importance. With true Christian courtesy Paul was considerate of their feelings and did not desire to cause them to lose their self-respect. When those who are in error are led to see their sin, care must be exercised to prevent loss of their self-respect (see MH 167, 168).

My beloved sons. Literally, “my beloved children.” Paul claimed the believers at Corinth as his spiritual children for whom he had labored. He addressed them as a father, one who desired only their good, and who would not wish to give them pain. All undershepherds who have the mind of the Master Shepherd will constantly seek to relieve the sufferings of the sheep, to bind their wounds and alleviate their pain (see Ps. 147:3; Isa. 61:1, 2; John 10:11).

Warn. Literally, “to put in mind,” hence, “to admonish,” “to exhort.” The things presented in vs. 7-13 were not written in a spirit of harsh severity to rebuke the Corinthians. They were intended, not to discourage them, but to impart the wise counsel of a loving father who was anxious to save his children from disaster and to bring about a reformation in the church. A Christian should never reprove his brother for the purpose of embarrassing him and putting him to shame (see Rom. 14:10, 13; MH 166). The reproof or admonition should be given in a spirit of tender compassion for the erring, and with the object of helping him to find his way back into harmony with God (see Gal. 6:1,2; DA 440; MH 495). Faithful, loving, sympathetic ministry to those who have stumbled and lost their way will be much more successful than cold condemnation and unfeeling rebuke (see James 5:20; 5T 246, 247).