Paul hopes that, by the time he gets to Corinth, he will be able to deal lovingly and gently with the Corinthians, due to their having repented. If they (specifically the unruly members among them) will not repent, he will have to come with a rod,
disciplining them as a father disciplines his wayward child.
The image of a rod
is connected to Paul’s warning that he will test the power
of his opponents (1 Corinthians 4:19). The miracles that God performed through the apostles were not always miracles of blessing and healing. On the island of Cyprus, Paul used his power to strike a false prophet with blindness (Acts 13:4–12). Thus, when Paul threatens to come to Corinth with a rod,
the warning should be taken seriously.
In 1 Corinthians 5:1 – 6:20, Paul will discuss three sins that have arisen from the Corinthians’ spiritual pride, and of which they urgently need to repent.
21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?