1 Corinthians 4:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power.

NIV: But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.

NASB: But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant, but their power.

CSB: But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk, but the power of those who are arrogant.

NLT: But I will come — and soon — if the Lord lets me, and then I’ll find out whether these arrogant people just give pretentious speeches or whether they really have God’s power.

KJV: But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.

NKJV: But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.

Paul has described some arrogant people among the Corinthians: those who will not respond to instruction to them to change their ways. In part, this resistance is because they don't think Paul is coming back to see them in person. Having described their relationship as that of a father and little children, he creates a picture of kids who are rebelling because dad is away from the house. They disobey because they don't think their "father" will catch them in the act.

Paul now insists, though, that he is coming to see them, if the Lord wills. Paul often describes his travel plans as being open to change by God's will (1 Corinthians 16:7; Romans 1:10; 15:32; 1 Thessalonians 3:11; Philemon 1:22).

Paul says that he wants to find out how much power these arrogant people will have when he stands face-to-face with them. He's not worried about their tough talk, but with what power they will demonstrate it. This is an interesting thing for Paul to criticize. The error is parallel to much of the "brave talk" seen on social media. People are often more aggressive, arrogant, or "tough" when they don't think they'll be confronted with another person, in person.

Paul is not trash talking or threatening anyone. The Corinthians will remember the impressive displays of the Holy Spirit's supernatural power that God used to back up Paul's preaching of the gospel (1 Corinthians 2:1–5). Paul is reminding his readers that same power continues to show that God's authority is with Paul. Will those living in rebellion against Paul's teaching in Corinth continue to resist when faced with this power once more?

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.