1 Corinthians 4:20

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I decided to read 1 Corinthians yesterday. I just wanted to read it for some nice relaxing time, and was not looking for anything in particular. As I was reading, one passage jumped out at me that made me ponder to myself for a while.

4:20: “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”

I have read chapter 4 about five or six times through. Looked at other translations and keep coming to one idea;

Is this admitting to the church at Corinth that the Church (tradition) is just as important as word (scripture)?

It is a passage I have never read before. But it is one that will make you scratch your head in the attempts to read it in the right context.

To me, it is suppressing the idea of scripture (word) and enlarging the idea of power (Church? God’s Power in general? Tradition? Hmm?)

Any of you out there have a better idea or knowledge?
Thanks in advance for your responses.

Blessings,
PKC
 
NAB says: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power”.

I think they are talking about talk vs. power… As in what those people are talking about does not matter, the Kingdom of God is what is powerful… I dont know though?
 
ThePKCatholic said:
I decided to read 1 Corinthians yesterday. I just wanted to read it for some nice relaxing time, and was not looking for anything in particular. As I was reading, one passage jumped out at me that made me ponder to myself for a while.

4:20: “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”

I have read chapter 4 about five or six times through. Looked at other translations and keep coming to one idea;

Is this admitting to the church at Corinth that the Church (tradition) is just as important as word (scripture)?

It is a passage I have never read before. But it is one that will make you scratch your head in the attempts to read it in the right context.

To me, it is suppressing the idea of scripture (word) and enlarging the idea of power (Church? God’s Power in general? Tradition? Hmm?)

Any of you out there have a better idea or knowledge?
Thanks in advance for your responses.

Blessings,
PKC
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From my understanding, God’s power. If you read the previous verses Paul spoke of people being arrogant. So if you back up to 1 Corinthians 4:18 and 19 you will see that Paul knows that the people are arrogant but he will soon see what power they posses. And in 1 Corinthians 4:21 Paul is saying that God’s power is not only in words that can be spoken but holds power. God’s power can stand not only in word but power, while others have no power but only talk or boasting.

Hope that helps
 
ThePKCatholic said:
I decided to read 1 Corinthians yesterday. I just wanted to read it for some nice relaxing time, and was not looking for anything in particular. As I was reading, one passage jumped out at me that made me ponder to myself for a while.

4:20: “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”

I have read chapter 4 about five or six times through. Looked at other translations and keep coming to one idea;

Is this admitting to the church at Corinth that the Church (tradition) is just as important as word (scripture)?

It is a passage I have never read before. But it is one that will make you scratch your head in the attempts to read it in the right context.

To me, it is suppressing the idea of scripture (word) and enlarging the idea of power (Church? God’s Power in general? Tradition? Hmm?)

Any of you out there have a better idea or knowledge?
Thanks in advance for your responses.

Blessings,
PKC
Click to expand...
Hi PKC,

No, this is not what the verse is talking about. Remember to always look at the context of what is being said. Kristanl basically got it, as did TruthSeeker. The verse immediately before (aka verse 19) is important to understanding.

1 Corinthians 4:19 (NIV)

19But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

The entire chapter gives you the context of who these “arrogant people” are, but I think you can get the picture here. The Truth isn’t in how much you say, but in what you’re saying, and if it comes from God.
 
The reference in the verse in not to scripture, or to tradition, but to actual speach. Paul is saying that when he gets there he will find out if those who have been talking arrogantly have any power behind their words (the context is obviously that he doesn’t think it does).
 
Thanks!
Each time I read it I seemed to get one of those three things out of it (Church, Power, in general, and Scripture).

I figured you all could straighten me out!

Thanks again!
PKC
 
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