OET interlinear 1 COR 4:19

4:19

Some of the believers in Corinth had been saying bad things about Paul because he did not use fine talk like this world’s people do (see 2:1–5). So Paul began to write about changing the way they think about him. He planned to come and visit them again soon. Then he would be able to find out if they had stopped bragging and had started helping people to follow Christ’s ways.

4:19a

But: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as But here introduces a contrast with what the Corinthians appear to have thought.

I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing: Although the Corinthians thought he would not come, Paul was planning to come soon. This probably meant that within the next several months Paul would visit them. It was a long journey from Ephesus (where Paul was when he wrote this letter) to Corinth. Such a journey would take at least two or three weeks, and perhaps longer if Paul stopped to visit other churches on his way.

if the Lord is willing: The phrase if the Lord is willing indicates that Paul was willing to change his plans if the Lord wanted him to.

the Lord: In this context the phrase the Lord could refer to either the Lord Jesus or the Lord God. It is best to leave your translation ambiguous if you can.

4:19b

4:19c

4:19b-c

and then: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as and then here introduces what would happen when Paul arrived at Corinth. In some languages it may be natural to start a new sentence here and say simply:

Then (NCV)

I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have: In these verse parts Paul indicated that he was more interested in learning about the power of the arrogant people in Corinth than he was in what they were saying. He did not really care about what they claimed about themselves. He wanted to see whether they acted in the power of God through the Holy Spirit. Other ways to translate these verse parts include:

I shall find out not what these self-important people say, but what power they have. (NJB)

I will find out if the ones who are doing all this bragging really have any power (CEV)

I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying: The Greek words that the BSB translates as I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying is literally “I will know not the speech of those who are arrogant.” Paul’s real interest was in knowing whether these people were acting in the power of God. It did not matter to him very much what these people were actually saying. The BSB has supplied the word only. Consider whether or not this is necessary in your language.

but what power they have: There are at least two ways to interpret this:

1. It refers to the power that God’s Spirit gives believers to do God’s work. People would see this in the way they use the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives them (1 Corinthians 12:4–11). Believers should use those special abilities to help people know God and become strong to follow Christ’s ways.

2. It refers to the power that God’s Spirit uses to cause believers to become like Christ in their character and actions. People would see this in the lives of the believers, their love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness (Galatians 5:22–23).

Both are part of the work of God’s kingdom, his rule over the lives of believers. In this context Paul was expecting to see God’s power at work in their lives during a short visit to Corinth. So he was probably referring to the way people were using their special abilities to work for God instead of just talking proudly about having them.