en_tn_condensed/1co/04/21.md

What do you want?

Paul was making a last appeal to the Corinthians, as he has been rebuking them for the errors they had made. Alternate translation: "Tell me what you want to happen now." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)

Should I come to you with a rod or with love and in a spirit of gentleness?

Paul is offering the Corinthians two opposing attitudes he could use when approaching them. Alternate translation: "If you want, I can come to punish you, or I can come to show you how much I love you by being gentle with you." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)

of gentleness

"of kindness" or "of tenderness"