A Picture of Spiritual Fatherhood

The apostle Paul spoke boldly and firmly about the problems, issues, and sins that were in the church at Corinth for three and one half chapters. Now, at the end of the 4th chapter, he reveals why. Paul spoke so directly and boldly to the Corinthian believers about their sin because he loved them like a father. In fact, he considered himself their spiritual father since most had come to faith through his preaching. In this passage where Paul reveals his fatherly love for the Corinthians, we can see and learn from several characteristics of a loving spiritual father that he expresses.