Yes — Paul's 'sons' language is a spiritual fatherhood based on the gospel of grace that he personally brought to the Corinthians.
In the transcripts, Les Feldick shows that Paul was the one who came into idolatrous Corinth and preached the gospel of grace, and it was by grace that God began to save these wicked Corinthians. Les also teaches that no one is born into the family of God as a mature believer; every believer begins as a babe in Christ. Because Paul was instrumental in their spiritual birth, he could address them as his beloved sons.
1 Corinthians 4:14-15 — This is the direct passage where Paul calls the Corinthians his beloved sons and says he has begotten them through the gospel.
The clearest biblical statement appears in 1 Corinthians 4:14-15. Paul writes, 'I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 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.' He distinguishes between an instructor, who teaches, and a father, whose spiritual seed brings about new birth. Paul had preached the gospel to the Corinthians; therefore, in Christ Jesus, he had begotten them. Paul uses the same family language throughout his letters. In Romans 8:15 he reminds believers, 'For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.' Believers are sons of God because of the spiritual birth they received when they believed the gospel.
Les's teaching on 1 Corinthians establishes that the Corinthians were genuine believers. He points to 1 Corinthians 1:2, where Paul addresses them as 'sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints,' and to Paul's use of 'my brethren' in chapter 1. At the same time, Les emphasizes that they were still carnal: Paul could not speak to them as spiritual, and they were divided into factions — 'I am of Paul,' 'I am of Apollos,' 'I am of Peter.' Les uses the Corinthians as an example that the spiritual life parallels the physical. We all come into a salvation experience as babes in Christ; nobody is born into God's family as a full, mature spiritual person. Les also points out that Paul was the one who came into that idolatrous city and preached the gospel, and he had a nucleus of believers. Paul was instrumental in getting the church started. That is what makes him their spiritual father.
Yes, says Les. He reminds his listeners that Paul is writing to the church of God at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus. Paul even calls the divisive Corinthians 'my brethren,' which implies they were believers. Les describes them as a church beset with all kinds of problems, but he does not question their salvation. They were babes in Christ, not people outside the family.
Les uses a simple analogy: you do not get born into the family of God as a full, mature spiritual person. Just as physical life begins as an infant, the spiritual life begins as a babe in Christ. This is why a spiritual father who brings the gospel to someone has a special, lifelong relationship with them — the kind Paul had with the Corinthians.
What the Bible Really Says About Salvation — 1 Corinthians 15 Explained
when we get to chapter 7. And so even here, I think the apostle Paul is trying to probably prepare them for the time when they would have to literally die for their faith, even as the apostles have already had to do, and as Paul would within a few years after writing this letter.
Spiritual Birth Is Like Physical Birth
Les teaches that everyone comes into salvation as a babe in Christ, just as no one is born physically as a mature adult. This sets up the spiritual father-child relationship Paul has with the Corinthians.
Corinthians Were Genuine Believers
Les reminds us that Paul writes to the church at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus — they are believers even though they are problem-filled.
Believers Are Sons of God
Les explains that every true child of God is already a son or child of God and has received the Spirit of adoption, crying 'Abba, Father.' This reinforces the family language Paul uses.
Paul Calls Them Brethren
Les points out that Paul calls the Corinthians 'my brethren' because they are believers; even though they are rascals, they are in the family of God.
Paul Was Instrumental in Their Salvation
Les notes that Paul was the one who entered the idolatrous city of Corinth, preached the gospel, and was instrumental in getting the church started — making him their spiritual father.
Paul Could Not Speak to Them as Spiritual
Les shows that although the Corinthians were believers, they had not grown sufficiently; Paul had to address them as carnal, like babes unable to handle solid food.
Corinth Was a Carnal Church
Les describes the Corinthians as still so carnal — a church beset with all kinds of problems, especially divisions — and Paul had to address these issues as a father would.
1 Corinthians 4:14: I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
Paul directly tells the Corinthians that his warning comes from the love of a spiritual father, not from a desire to shame them.
1 Corinthians 4:15: 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.
This is the core reason Paul calls them sons: he had personally begotten them by bringing them the gospel.
Romans 8:15: For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Les references this verse to show that believers are children of God and can call God 'Father' through the Spirit of adoption.
1 Corinthians 1:2: Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
Les points to this verse to establish that the Corinthians were true believers, even though they were carnal.
1 Corinthians 3:1: And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
Les uses this verse to show that the Corinthians were still babes in Christ, highlighting the father-child relationship.
Yes. Les shows that Paul addresses them as 'sanctified in Christ Jesus' and calls them 'my brethren.' They were believers, but they had not grown beyond babes in Christ. Their divisions and carnality did not cancel their salvation.
It means Paul was the human instrument God used to bring the gospel to Corinth. The Corinthians' spiritual birth was initiated through Paul's preaching, so he had a fatherly relationship with them.
Les explains that just as no one is born physically as a mature adult, no one is born spiritually as a mature believer. Every salvation experience begins with being a babe in Christ and growing from there.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About Salvation — 1 Corinthians 15 Explained