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Paul ends the chapter talking about sending Timothy into the mission field. Timothy had traveled with Paul on Paul’s second missionary journey and was a key person in the growth of the early church. Timothy may have delivered this letter to Corinth, but more likely he arrived shortly after the letter came. Timothy’s role was to see that Paul’s advice was received, read, and implemented. Then he was to return to Paul and report on the church’s progress. In verse twenty-one, Paul debates whether to come to the Corinthians with an angry or gentle spirit. He writes this because he decides to make another “painful visit” implying that he had a previous painful confrontation with the Corinthian believers.

1 Corinthians 4:17-21
17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?