1 Corinthians 4:18-21 (WEL) Now some are swelled up with pride as if I wouldn’t come to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly—if the Lord will—and will check out, not the speech of these puffed-up people but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 21 What do you want? Will I come to you with a rod or in love and the spirit of meekness?
V18 Now some are swelled up with pride as if I wouldn’t come to you.
Perhaps, these “leaders” in the church felt they knew more than Paul, or knew the truth, doctrine, interpretation that Paul did not know.
Pride is a normal human emotion; however, it is usually not the truth.
Pride is (Apple Dictionary) “consciousness of one’s own dignity; the quality of having an excessively high opinion of oneself or one’s importance.”
There is the attitude of “I’m better than you; My opinion is better than yours; I am wiser than you; I…”
God hates pride (Psalm 5:5 and 1 Peter 5:5).
So should we hate. Proverbs 8:13 NLT All who fear the LORD will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption, and perverse speech.
Some comments:
Albert Barnes: “They are puffed up with a vain confidence; they say that I would not dare to come; that I would be afraid to appear among them, to administer discipline, to rebuke them, or to supersede their authority. Probably he had been detained by the demand on his services in other places, and by various providential hinderances from going there, until they supposed that he stayed away from fear. And possibly he might apprehend that they would think he had sent Timothy because he was afraid to come himself. Their conduct was an instance of the haughtiness and arrogance which people will assume when they suppose they are in no danger of reproof or punishment.”
Precept Austin quoting Arnold: “At Corinth there were some leaders and their followers who definitely opposed Paul, and he says these people were filled with boastful pride and arrogance. Apparently these enemies of Paul within the church said that he was a coward and would not face them and that was the reason he was sending Timothy.” (Conceit: The Root Of Divisions)
Bible Knowledge Commentary on Proverbs 29:23: “The reverse effects of pride and humility warn against the one and encourage the other. Ironically pride, by which a person seeks to elevate himself, actually results in his being brought low (šāp̱al) whereas one who is of lowly (šāp̱al) spirit is elevated by others to a position of honor (cf. Proverbs 3:34; Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 16:18-19; Proverbs 18:12). God hates pride (see comments on Proverbs 6:17) because it influences a person to live independently of Him.”
V19 But I will come to you shortly—if the Lord will—and will check out, not the speech of these puffed-up people but the power.
Note, his submission to God’s will. He follows the standard and action of our leader—Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:42). Paul says, “I’m going to show up, God willing, and see how much these people know.” Paul is a commissioned Apostle of Jesus Christ and has authority (1 Timothy 1:20).
V20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
The Kingdom of God is the kingdom where God reigns. Today this is in heaven, but when Jesus returns, He will bring the kingdom to Earth (Zechariah 14:9). Nevertheless, God is still God over the universe, but He does not yet reign on Earth. He does intervene in the affairs of the universe, Earth, government, and people. He always does His will.
The Greek word for power is G1411 δύναμις dýnamis, which means (Combined Word Definitions, BDB & Thayer) “inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth.”
Words can be powerful, healing or destroying, but the authoritative power of an Apostle can administer God’s justice on someone.
V21 What do you want? Will I come to you with a rod or in love and the spirit of meekness?
Paul gives them a choice, “Which do you want to come with the rod of punishment and education or in gentleness of rebuke?” “Are you hard-hearted or tender-hearted? There is a place for church discipline. See Matthew 18:15-17. We must go privately, if not heard then bring witnesses, if still not heard, then the church, if true and still not repented, then withdrawal of fellowship. For elders (pastors and church workers), then 1 Timothy 5:19-20 with confrontation with two or more witnesses, done publicly, and disciplined, as above, by disfellowshipping until repentance.
We learn:
- God’s ways are more important than humans’ ways.
- The Apostles of Jesus Christ had a special God-given authority.
Questions:
- Are you faithful to the teaching of Jesus Christ like Timothy was?
- How would you handle rebellious people in the church?