Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 4:19
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian congregation to counter members who dismissed his delayed visit as proof of his absence. He speaks immediately after contrasting empty rhetoric with demonstrated spiritual authority.
The words — ἐλεύσομαι (eleusomai) means “I will come,” and ἐὰν (ean) means “if,” structuring his travel plans as explicitly contingent on divine permission.
The thread — This pattern of conditional travel appears in Acts 18:21 and Acts 19:21, while the confrontation with arrogant opposition in 2 Corinthians 13:1 mirrors the same apostolic posture.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to verify spiritual claims through demonstrated power rather than mere speech, and to recognize that all ministry proceeds only under sovereign allowance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
- Acts 18:21 But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.
- Acts 19:21 After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.”
- Romans 15:32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.
- 1 Corinthians 2:6 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.
- 1 Corinthians 4:18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
- 1 Corinthians 11:34 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.
- 1 Corinthians 14:5 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.
- 2 Corinthians 1:23 I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.
- Hebrews 6:3 And this we will do, if God permits.