This is Paul’s appeal to the unruly believers. It reveals the apostle’s reluctance to adopt severe measures in dealing with the unruly members of the church at Corinth.

 The symbol of fatherly severity. It shows that Paul realized that as an apostle, and also as their original instructor in the gospel, he had authority to administer discipline to the rebellious church. No doubt the “rod” which he would use, if necessary, would be his words. There are occasions when it is necessary for God’s servants to use some severity in correcting unruly members of the church (see Num. 16:8-11, 26, 28-30; Matt. 18:15-17; Acts 5:3, 4, 8, 9).

 Correction should always be administered in love, with the ultimate welfare and happiness of the offender in view (cf. Gal. 6:1, 2). Although it may be necessary to act firmly and perhaps severely in order to preserve the church from confusion and strife, nevertheless everything should be tempered by a true regard for the best spiritual interests of the persons concerned. Love, which has as its object the best interests of the beloved, must underlie every phase of Christian life and duty, for God Himself is the personification of love (1 John 4:8, 16).

That is, mildly, in an attitude of tenderness. Paul here reveals that he wished to avoid the necessity of exercising severe discipline toward them. He hoped that their “puffed up” hearts would soften and that they would readily accept his loving advice without making it necessary for him to resort to harsh disciplinary measures.

With a yearning appeal the apostle closes this part of the epistle. In this section Paul has dealt candidly with the facts of the situation, placing them in contrast with the pride and pretense that were clouding the spiritual vision of many members of the church at Corinth.