What choice does Paul give the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 4:21 about how he should come to them?

Paul asks the Corinthians to choose whether he should come with a rod—with wrath and anger and not spare—or come in love and in the spirit of meekness. He indicates he will come in love and meekness, since harsh measures were not his nature unless absolutely necessary.

Les explains that in 1 Corinthians 4:21 Paul gives the Corinthian believers a choice: “Shall I come unto you with a rod? Do ye want me to come with wrath and anger and not spare? Or shall I come in love and in the spirit of meekness?” Les says Paul will go in the spirit of love and meekness, because it was not Paul’s nature to take harsh measures unless he absolutely had to. This letter was preparatory to his coming to the congregation in Corinth so that he could appeal to them in love and meekness.

1 Corinthians 4:21

What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

What was the purpose of Paul's letter before he visited the Corinthian church?

The letter was preparatory to Paul's coming to the congregation in Corinth, so that he could appeal to them in love and meekness rather than coming with a rod, wrath, and anger. It prepared the way for a loving, meek visit instead of harsh measures.