I am NOT writing these to you to shame you,
but I correct you as my beloved children.
For you might have a myriad of ‘people to correct you’ in Christ
but you do not have many fathers.
For
In Christ Jesus
through the gospel
I became (a Father) for you.
So I encourage you, then
to take me as your model.
For this reason,
I sent to you Timothy,
who is my beloved child
and faithful in the Lord
who will remind you of my ways in Christ,
just as I teach
everywhere,
in every church.
Then, as if I was not coming to you,
some have become puffed up.
But I will come to you soon,
if the Lord is willing,
and I will discover
not the talk of the arrogant ones,
but (even more) the power (if there is any).
For the Kingdom of God is
is not (just a matter of) word
but in power.
What do you want?-
Am I to come (to beat you) with a stick,
or in love with a spirit of gentleness?
O Lord Jesus Christ,
stay beside me to defend me,
within me to guide me,
before me to lead me,
and above me to bless me,
that with you and in you,
I may live, and move and have my being,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
(unknown)