1 Korinther 4:19

19 Ich werde aber gar bald zu euch kommen, so der HERR will, und kennen lernen nicht die Worte der Aufgeblasenen, sondern die Kraft.

1 Korinther 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 Korinther 4:19 In-Context

17 Aus derselben Ursache habe ich auch Timotheus zu euch gesandt, welcher ist mein lieber und getreuer Sohn in dem HERRN, daß er euch erinnere meiner Wege, die in Christo sind, gleichwie ich an allen Enden in allen Gemeinden lehre.

18 Es blähen sich etliche auf, als würde ich nicht zu euch kommen.

19 Ich werde aber gar bald zu euch kommen, so der HERR will, und kennen lernen nicht die Worte der Aufgeblasenen, sondern die Kraft.

20 Denn das Reich Gottes steht nicht in Worten, sondern in Kraft.

21 Was wollt ihr? Soll ich mit der Rute zu euch kommen oder mit Liebe und sanftmütigem Geist?