Have you been nagged before? In 1 Cor 4, Paul addresses the Corinthian church on the issue of pride. In the church, some people boast that they follow Paul, while some others boast that they follow Apollos. The attitude behind people saying such things is that they are elevating themselves above others.
Paul cares about the spiritual wellbeing of those in the church so much that he would nag them with the hope that they may be drawn back to humility.
Paul urges those in the church to imitate him in his humility. He considers himself as a servant, living under the authority of God. True humility is not about being modest, but rather about living in obedience to God’s instructions, acknowledging God rather than him/her self as king. Only when someone lives under the authority of God, will God give him/her the power to be able to live a life that is good, overcoming evil and sin.
Summary by Meng Ping