Paul
the apostle declared “some”
of the church members in Corinth as being “puffed
up”
because they thought he “would not
come to” them.
In chapter four and verse nineteen of
First Corinthians, Paul told the church members in Corinth,
“I will come to you shortly”
and would “know”
their “power”
where we read:
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.
The
verse begins, “But
I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know,...”
Paul began
with the word, “But” which
is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be
written takes precedence over what was just stated “I
will come”
or “Paul would arise, come forth, be established and become known”
“to you”
which refers to “the Corinthian church members” “shortly”
or “quickly, hastily, shortly, suddenly and soon”, “if
the Lord”
which means “in case the anointed one, the Messiah and the Son of
God” “will”
or “has in mind, intends, resolves, determines and purposes”,
“and will know” which
means “be acquainted with and understand”. Paul purposed to go
to the Corinthians if God permitted him to do so, and then he would
be cognizant of that which he is about to declare.
The verse continues,
“... not
the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.”
Paul added
the words, “not the speech” which
means “not the words, utterances or living voices that embody a
conception or idea” “of them which
are puffed up”
or “from the certain one who were proud and boastful”, “but”
which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be
written takes precedence over what was just stated “the
power”
which refers to “the strength and ability”. When Paul came to the
Corinthian church members, he would not “know”
just the words of the “puffed up”
ones among them, but whether or not those who were speaking were
“powerful” in the Spirit or not.
When
we think through these words from Paul, we understand how Paul relied
upon the “works” or “power” of those “boasting”
within the Corinthian church rather than just their “words”. They
were “mighty in speech” and “bold” to declare, but perhaps
they were not as effective in actions. Boasting without production is
empty garble, and when Paul went to visit the church, he would know
the truth. Jesus Christ came not only with words, but also with
“power”. He demonstrated what a life in the “power”
of God's Spirit was like, and when He spoke, He fulfilled what He
declared. We should emulate our Savior Jesus and live our lives
without “boasting” except in the demonstration and “power”
of Him.
Next
time Paul shares how “the
kingdom of God is not in word, but in power” them,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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