1 Corinthians 4:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.

NIV: Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.

NASB: Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.

CSB: Now some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.

NLT: Some of you have become arrogant, thinking I will not visit you again.

KJV: Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

NKJV: Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.

Paul's letter is full of hard words for the Christians in Corinth. He wants them to change their attitudes and behavior in several significant ways. Now he writes that he knows some among them who will refuse to change because they don't expect Paul to show up in person. Paul has noted his role as the Corinthians' spiritual "father" (1 Corinthians 4:15). This is a very "fatherly" statement: to point out that someone is only likely to obey when they think their "father" is going to catch them in the act.

He describes these people as arrogant, bold in their defiance of Paul because of the distance between them. Paul will assure them in the following verse that he does plan to come to them in person.

Why would Paul being among them make a difference? The Corinthians will remember that Paul's preaching was backed up by demonstrations of the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:1–5). He does not expect that these prideful resisters of his correction will put up much of a fight when they are looking him in the eye. Even in the ancient era, humanity showed its tendency to "talk tough" and put on a brave face, so long as they didn't have to meet those they claimed to stand against.

First Corinthians 4:14–21 focuses on Paul's role as spiritual father to the Corinthians, since he is the one who led them to Christ. He urges them to change their attitudes and behaviors and to imitate his example in living out the gospel. He sent Timothy to show them what that looks like, and he hopes to come himself to confront their arrogant talk with the power of God. Do they want him to come with the rod of correction or in love with the spirit of gentleness?

Paul continues to show why the Corinthian Christians must not be divided over loyalties to various Christian leaders. Only the Lord can judge His servants, including Paul. By making themselves judges, they are acting like they have all they need. They are proudly focused on reputation and status while the apostles live for Christ in poverty and under persecution. Paul writes as a father to little children. He urges them to change course and imitate his life. Do they want him to be gentle or come to them with the rod of correction?

First Corinthians 4 continues Paul's insistence to the Corinthian Christians to stop making themselves judges of each other. Only the Lord's judgment matters. They are living as if their wealth and status are all they need, while the apostles serve Christ in poverty and under persecution, imitating Christ. Paul urges them to change course and imitate his life. Paul will continue his increasingly stern tone in chapter 5, where he will confront appalling examples of sin in the church at Corinth.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.