I Corinthians 4:19
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But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
ALFORD translates, "But come I will"; an emphatical negation of their supposition (Co1 4:18). shortly--after Pentecost (Co1 16:8). if the Lord will--a wise proviso (Jam 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 feature of Grecian character, a love for power of discourse, rather than that of godliness, showed itself at Corinth.
Open source ↗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).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.
After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.”
And this we will do, if God permits.
Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you come together it will not result in judgment. And when I come, I will give instructions about the remaining matters.
Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.
I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.
so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.
Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”