1 Corinthians 4:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

NIV: For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

NASB: For the kingdom of God is not in words, but in power.

CSB: For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

NLT: For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

KJV: For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

NKJV: For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

These are stern words Paul is writing to the Christians in Corinth. He knows that when this letter is read, it will be heard by some among them who have been talking Paul down. He has called them arrogant. They do not believe they need to submit to Paul's instructions to them to change their attitudes and behavior in Christ. Paul has written that some of their arrogance comes from the fact that they don't think Paul is going to come see them in person (1 Corinthians 4:18). Just like those in the modern era who put on a "tough" persona through social media, but would shrink if actually speaking to people in person, Paul says these resistant believers are likely to change their attitudes when Paul actually arrives.

Paul insists that he is coming, if the Lord will allow it. When he comes, he will once more come with the ability to demonstrate God's power through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:1–5).

God's kingdom is not about talk, Paul declares. It is about power. That's easy for all of us to forget. So much of our practice of Christianity focuses on words being preached, read, or prayed. All that talk, though, is meaningless without the legitimate power of God behind it (James 2:26). Paul does not want the Corinthians to forget that he did not just introduce them to big ideas that can be captured and manipulated with words. He introduced them to the power of God available only through faith in Christ and the Holy Spirit.

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.