New Living Translation
1 Corinthians 4:20
20For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.
1 Corinthians 4:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
- New International Version (NIV)For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
Context of 1 Corinthians 4:20
18Some of you have become arrogant, thinking I will not visit you again. 19But 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. For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. 21Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?
Read all of 1 Corinthians 41 Corinthians 4:20 word by word
οὐ γὰρ ἐν λόγῳ ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ ἀλλ᾽ ἐν δυνάμει.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 4:20
- 1 Corinthians 1:24But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
- 1 Corinthians 2:4And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Romans 1:16For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.
- Romans 14:17For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
- Romans 15:19They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God’s Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum.
- 2 Corinthians 10:4We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:5For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you.
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 4:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20For the kingdom of God - The religion of the Lord Jesus is not in word - in human eloquence, excellence of speech, or even in doctrines; but in power, , in the mighty energy of the Holy Spirit; enlightening, quickening, converting, and sanctifying believers; and all his genuine apostles are enabled, on all necessary occasions, to demonstrate the truth of their calling by miracles; for this the original word often means.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20For the kingdom of God - The reign of God in the church (see the note at Matthew 3:2); meaning here, probably, the power or authority which was to be exercised in the government and discipline of the church. Or it may refer to the manner in which the church had been established. “It has not been set up by empty boasting; by pompous pretensions; by confident assertions. Such empty boasts would do little in the great work of founding, governing, and…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. 2020. kingdom of God is not in word--Translate, as in 1Co 4:19, to which the reference is "speech." Not empty "speeches," but the manifest "power" of the Spirit attests the presence of "the kingdom of God" (the reign of the Gospel spiritually), in a church or in an individual (compare 1Co 2:1, 4; 1Th 1:5).Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Corinthians 4:20
In the dictionaries
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
New Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
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