16. Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
17. This is why I have sent Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved and faithful son in the Lord. He will remind you about my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every church.
18. Now some are inflated with pride, as though I were not coming to you.
19. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will know not the talk but the power of those who are inflated with pride.
20. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
21. What do you want? Should I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?