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some . . . as though I would not come--He guards against some misconstruing (as by the Spirit he foresees they will, when his letter shall have arrived) his sending Timothy, "as though" he "would not come" (or, "were not coming") himself. A puffed-up spirit was the besetting sin of the Corinthians (compare Co1 1:11; Co1 5:2).

In this chapter the apostle, I. Directs them how to account of him and his fellow-ministers, and therein, tacitly at least, reproves them for their unworthy carriage towards him (Co1 4:1-6). II. He cautions them against pride and self-elation, and hints at the many temptations they had to conceive too highly of themselves, and despise him and other apostles, because of the great diversity in their circumstances and condition (Co1 4:7-13). III. He challenges their regard to him as their father in Christ (Co1 4:14-16). IV. He tells them of his having sent Timothy to them, and of his own purpose to come to them shortly, however some among them had pleased themselves, and grown vain, upon the quite contrary expectation (Co1 4:17 to the end).

4:18-20 Because of his sending Timothy, some may have concluded that Paul lacked the courage to visit them himself, but in fact Paul was deeply engrossed in his work in Ephesus at this time (Acts 19:8-20; see study note on Acts 19:10). He would indeed visit them soon (see 1 Cor 16:5-9; Acts 19:21-22; 20:1-3; cp. 2 Cor 1:15–2:4) and would confront those who publicly opposed him and show that they were nothing more than big talkers. His life and words would demonstrate the reality of God’s power (see also 1 Cor 2:4).