Why did Paul consider the Corinthian believers his children?
Paul considered the Corinthian believers his children because he was the one who brought them the gospel, the salvation power that delivered them from paganism and idolatry. Though they had many instructors in Christ, he was their spiritual father, just as Timothy was his son in the faith.
Les explains that Paul used the term "sons" not physically but spiritually, the same way he called Timothy "my son in the faith," even though Timothy was in a different part of the world. The Corinthian believers were like children to Paul because he brought them the gospel and the salvation power that brought them out of paganism and idolatry. In verse 15, Paul contrasts 10,000 instructors in Christ with not many fathers. Les says you can have many Sunday school teachers, pastors, or television evangelists, but only one or two really influence your life to become a child of God. That is what Paul is driving at.
For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
More Questions
Why does Paul call the Corinthian believers his sons?
Paul uses the term "sons" for the pagan Corinthian believers the same way he called Timothy his son in the faith, a spiritual relationship and not a physical one, even though Timothy was in a different part of the world from Paul.