For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

1 CORINTHIANS 4:17KJV
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1 Corinthians 4:17 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 4:17 mean?

In 1 Corinthians 4:17, Paul tells the believers in Corinth that he has sent Timothy to help them remember how Paul lives and teaches as a follower of Christ. Timothy is someone Paul trusts to bring that message to them.

Paul calls Timothy his “beloved son,” a picture of their close relationship. Following Paul’s appeal to the Corinthians to imitate him in verse 16, Timothy’s visit would bring Paul’s example back to their minds.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 4:17

  • “bring you into remembrance” — ἀναμιμνήσκω (anamimnēskō): This word carries the sense of reminding someone. Timothy’s task is to recall something the Corinthians have already encountered.
  • “ways” — ὁδός (hodos): This word can mean a road or path, and it can also describe a way of life. Here Paul uses the image of a path for his conduct in Christ.

Why 1 Corinthians 4:17 matters

  • Paul presents Timothy as a trusted representative. The words “beloved son” and “faithful in the Lord” show why Paul considers Timothy suited to the task.
  • Paul’s example is connected to his teaching. His “ways” are the ways he teaches “every where in every church,” so the Corinthians are hearing a message Paul presents to other groups of believers too.
  • Paul’s reference to “Christ” identifies the setting for his way of life. He is asking the Corinthians to remember his conduct as someone who belongs to Christ.

Where else these words appear

“bring” Greek G363 · used in 6 verses

  • Mark 11:21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
  • Mark 14:72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
  • 2 Timothy 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

“where” Greek G3837 · used in 7 verses

  • Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
  • Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
  • Acts 24:3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

“Timotheus” Greek G5095 · used in 28 verses

  • Acts 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
  • 2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
  • 1 Timothy 1:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

“beloved” Greek G27 · used in 61 verses

  • Matthew 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
  • 2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
  • 1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;