1 Corinthians 4:19

1 Corinthians 4:19 in other versions

• King James Version (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.
• New International Version (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.
• English Standard Version (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.
• New King James Version (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.

Context of 1 Corinthians 4:19

17For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my way of life in Christ [my conduct and my precepts for godly living], just as I teach everywhere in every church. 18Now some of you have become arrogant and pretentious, as though I were not coming to see you. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord is willing, and I will find out not just the talk of these arrogant people, but [evaluate] their [spiritual] power [whether they live up to their own claims]. 20For the kingdom of God is not based on talk but on power. 21Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod [of discipline and correction], or with love and a gentle spirit?

1 Corinthians 4:19 word by word

ἐλεύσομαι δὲ ταχέως πρὸς ὑμᾶς, ἐὰν ὁ κύριος θελήσῃ, καὶ γνώσομαι οὐ τὸν λόγον τῶν πεφυσιωμένων ἀλλὰ τὴν δύναμιν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• I will comeἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
• toπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• youσύsu · youG4771
• shortlyταχέωςtacheōs · soonG5030
• ifἐάνean · ifG1437
• the Lordὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• willθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• will knowγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
• notοὐou · noG3756
• the speechλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• are puffed upφυσιόωphusioō · to inflateG5448
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• the powerδύναμιςdunamis · powerG1411

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 4:19

• 1 Corinthians 14:5Now I wish that all of you spoke in unknown tongues, but even more [I wish] that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater [and more useful] than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he translates or explains [what he says], so that the church may be edified [instructed, improved, strengthened].
• Acts 19:21Now after these events, Paul determined in the Spirit that he would travel through Macedonia and Achaia (most of the Greek mainland), and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome [and preach the good news of salvation].”
• 2 Corinthians 1:15It was with this confidence that I planned at first to visit you, so that you might receive twice a token of grace;
• 2 Corinthians 2:1But I made up my mind not to grieve you with another painful visit.
• Acts 18:21but after telling them goodbye and saying, “I will return again if God is willing,” he set sail from Ephesus.
• Romans 15:32so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and find rest in your company.
• Hebrews 6:3And we will do this [that is, proceed to maturity], if God permits.
• James 4:15Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and we will do this or that.”
• 1 Corinthians 4:18Now some of you have become arrogant and pretentious, as though I were not coming to see you.
• 2 Corinthians 13:1This is the third time that I am visiting you. Every fact shall be sustained and confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
• 1 Corinthians 2:6Yet we do speak wisdom among those spiritually mature [believers who have teachable hearts and a greater understanding]; but [it is a higher] wisdom not [the wisdom] of this present age nor of the rulers and leaders of this age, who are passing away;

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 4:19

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19But I will come to you shortly - God being my helper, I fully purpose to visit you; and then I shall put those proud men to the proof, not of their speech - eloquence, or pretensions to great knowledge and influence, but of their power - the authority they profess to have from God, and the evidences of that authority in the works they have performed. See the Introduction, Section 11.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19But I will come - It is from no fear of them that I am kept away; and to convince them of this I will come to them speedily. If the Lord will - If the Lord permit; if by his providence he allows me to go. Paul regarded the entering on a journey as dependent on the will of God; and felt that God had all in his hand. No purpose should be formed without a reference to his will; no plan without feeling that he can easily frustrate it and disappoint us; see…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-21Verses 14-21 In reproving for sin, we should distinguish between sinners and their sins. Reproofs that kindly and affectionately warn, are likely to reform. Though the apostle spoke with authority as a parent, he would rather beseech them in love. And as ministers are to set an example, others must follow them, as far as they follow Christ in faith and practice. Christians may mistake and differ in their views, but Christ and Christian truth are the same…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-20Some might have thought Paul was afraid to visit because he sent Timothy. However, Paul was very busy with his work in Ephesus at that time (Acts 19:8–20; see study note on Acts 19:10). He planned to visit soon (see 1 Corinthians 16:5–9; Acts 19:21–22; 20:1–3; compare 2 Corinthians 1:15–2:4) and would face those who opposed him. He would show they were just talkers. His actions and words would prove God's power (see also 1 Corinthians 2:4).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1919. Alford translates, "But come I will"; an emphatical negation of their supposition (1Co 4:18). shortly--after Pentecost (1Co 16:8). if the Lord will--a wise proviso (Jas 4:15). He does not seem to have been able to go as soon as he intended. and will know--take cognizance of. but the power--I care not for their high-sounding "speech," "but" what I desire to know is "their power," whether they be really powerful in the Spirit, or not. The predominant…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 4:19

• Church
• Power
• Righteousness
• Will
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Account
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Instructor
• Offscouring
• Rod
• Shame
• Steward
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Paul, the Apostle

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings