1 Corinthians 4:19

19 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.

1 Corinthians 4:19 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 4:19

But I will come to you shortly
This he said as threatening them, but not by way of prophecy; for it is not certain that he ever did come to them after this; but by way of promise, as it was then the real intention, inclination, and resolution of his mind, though with this condition,

if the Lord will;
which is rightly put, and what the apostle had a continual regard unto, in all things he was concerned; see ( Romans 1:10 ) ( Hebrews 6:3 ) and though it is not absolutely necessary that this should be expressed by us always in so many words; though should it, as the sentence is short and full, there would be no impropriety in it; yet this should always be the sense of our minds and conduct in all the affairs of life; see ( James 4:13-15 )

and will know not the speech of them that are puffed up, but the
power;
meaning chiefly the false teachers; and that his concern would be, not so much to observe their masterly language, the eloquence of their speech, the quaintness of their expressions, the cadency of their words, how nicely they were put together, and how fitly pronounced; but what life there was in their ministry, what power went forth with their words, and how effectual their preaching was to the, conversion of sinners, and the edifying of the church of God.

1 Corinthians 4:19 In-Context

17 For this reason I sent you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, as I teach them everywhere in every church.
18 But some of you, thinking that I am not coming to you, have become arrogant.
19 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.
20 For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power.
21 What would you prefer? Am I to come to you with a stick, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.