1Cor 4:19-21 | JFB | STEP | 19. Alford translates, "But come I will"; an emphatical negation of their supposition ( ). shortly-- after Pentecost ( ). if the Lord will-- a wise proviso ( ). 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.

‏ 1 Corinthians 4:19-21

19. Alford translates, "But come I will"; an emphatical negation of their supposition (1Co 4:18).

shortly--after Pentecost (1Co 16:8).

if the Lord will--a wise proviso (Jas 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.

20. 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).

21. with a rod, or in love--The Greek preposition is used in both clauses; must I come IN displeasure to exercise the rod, or IN love, and the Spirit of meekness (Is 11:4; 2Co 13:3)?