The Rod as Excommunication: A Possible Meaning for an Ambiguous Metaphor in 1 Corinthians 4.21

Abstract

In 1 Cor. 4.21, Paul threatens to return to Corinth with a rod of discipline in order to deal with certain arrogant members of the Christian community. In addressing the passage, scholars generally gloss over the metaphor with little regard to its meaning. Those who do comment assume it refers to some kind of rebuke on Paul’s part but go no further in their interpretation. This article seeks to discuss the metaphor’s intended meaning, arguing that the rod comes on the back of two prior warnings outlined in 1 Cor. 4.14-20 and is itself the final act of discipline to divisive members of the church: excommunication.