1 Corinthians 4:18 kjv
Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
1 Corinthians 4:18 nkjv
Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.
1 Corinthians 4:18 niv
Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
1 Corinthians 4:18 esv
Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.
1 Corinthians 4:18 nlt
Some of you have become arrogant, thinking I will not visit you again.
1 Corinthians 4 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 4:2 | "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." | Faithfulness in ministry |
| 1 Corinthians 4:7 | "For who makes you different from anyone else? And what do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if you did not?" | Boasting in received gifts |
| 1 Corinthians 5:2 | "And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you." | Arrogance vs. Mourning |
| 1 Corinthians 8:1 | "Now as concerning things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth." | Knowledge puffing up |
| 1 Corinthians 11:17 | "Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse." | Issues in gatherings |
| 2 Corinthians 10:2 | "But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh." | Walking according to the flesh |
| 2 Corinthians 10:7 | "Do ye look at things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's." | Outward appearance vs. reality |
| 2 Corinthians 10:8 | "For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction..." | Authority for edification |
| 2 Corinthians 10:13 | "But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you." | Measuring our boasting |
| 2 Corinthians 11:16 | "I say again, let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little." | Acknowledging boasting |
| 2 Corinthians 11:17 | "That which I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting." | Speaking foolishly |
| 2 Corinthians 11:19 | "For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise." | Suffering fools gladly |
| 2 Corinthians 11:20 | "For ye suffer if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face." | Suffering spiritual bondage |
| Galatians 6:3 | "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." | Self-deception |
| Ephesians 5:11 | "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." | Reproving darkness |
| Philippians 2:3 | "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." | Lowliness and humility |
| Colossians 2:18 | "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind." | Vainly puffed up |
| 1 Peter 5:5 | "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." | Humility vs. pride |
| Proverbs 16:18 | "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before the fall." | Pride leads to destruction |
| Romans 12:3 | "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." | Sober thinking |
1 Corinthians 4 verses
1 Corinthians 4 18 Meaning
The verse asserts that some in Corinth, who claim to be Christians, are behaving arrogantly and without genuine spiritual depth. Paul, writing as a father in the faith, plans to visit them to observe firsthand whether their confident boasts reflect true spiritual power and substance, not merely talk.
1 Corinthians 4 18 Context
This verse is found in 1 Corinthians chapter 4, which addresses divisions and problems within the Corinthian church. Paul is responding to the Corinthians' excessive admiration for certain leaders, leading to boasting and factionalism. He contrasts true apostolic authority and humility with the empty pride and spiritual immaturity he perceives in some. Paul's approach is pastoral and corrective, aiming to bring the church back to unity and genuine spiritual discernment. Historically, the early church faced challenges from individuals who sought prestige or emphasized their own teachings over the message of Christ.
1 Corinthians 4 18 Word Analysis
- εἰς (eis): Unto, into, to. Indicates direction or purpose.
- ὑμᾶς (humas): You (plural). Addresses the entire Corinthian church.
- τίνας (tinas): Some. Refers to specific individuals within the church.
- ὑπερπεφυσιωμένοι (hyperpephysiomenoi): Over-inflated, puffed up. This is a strong term indicating extreme arrogance or spiritual pride, literally meaning "blown up beyond measure."
- εἰς (eis): Unto, into, to.
- τὸ (to): The. Definite article.
- εἰπεῖν (eipen): To say. Implies boasting or making pronouncements.
- οὐ (ou): Not. Negation.
- μετ’ (met'): With. Indicates accompaniment.
- ἐμοῦ (emou): Me. Paul referring to himself.
- εἰμί (eimi): Am.
- ἔρχομαι (erchomai): I come. Paul states his intention to visit.
- πρὸς (pros): To, towards. Indicates the destination of his visit.
- ὑμᾶς (humas): You (plural).
Word Group Analysis:
- "τῖνας ὑμᾶς ὑπερπεφυσιωμένοι εἰς τὸ εἰπεῖν" (tinas humas hyperpephysiomenoi eis to eipein): This phrase paints a picture of certain individuals in Corinth who are "over-inflated" or spiritually arrogant to the point where they are ready "to say" (or boast). The word "hyperpephysiomenoi" suggests a condition that goes beyond normal or healthy spiritual confidence; it's an unnatural swelling caused by pride.
- "οὐ μετ' ἐμοῦ εἰμί" (ou met' emou eimi): This translates to "I am not with you." However, in this context, it implies a disconnection between their purported spiritual status and Paul's apostolic presence and authority. It questions whether their boldness truly aligns with the Christ they claim to represent, a standard Paul embodies.
- "ἀλλ' ἔρχομαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς" (all' erchomai pros humas): This indicates Paul's intention to come to Corinth. The contrast "but" (ἀλλ') highlights that his coming is a direct response to the situation described—he is coming not just as a visitor, but as a father to discipline and ascertain the truth of their claims.
1 Corinthians 4 18 Bonus Section
The Greek word "hyperpephysiomenoi" (ὑπερπεφυσιωμένοι) is a perfect passive participle of hyperphysao (ὑπερφυσάω), meaning "to over-inflate" or "to puff up beyond measure." It's a potent metaphor for spiritual arrogance that swells beyond healthy limits, often likened to a balloon filled with air, which can eventually burst. This implies that the pride they exhibit is not only excessive but potentially dangerous and unstable. Paul's statement "I am not with you" (οὐ μετ' ἐμοῦ εἰμί) is a rhetorical device, possibly reflecting that while he is absent physically, their behavior is so disconnected from true apostolic character that it feels as though he "is not" (figuratively) "with them" in spirit or alignment. His upcoming visit (ἔρχομαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς) is intended to bridge this spiritual distance and recalibrate their understanding of genuine Christian authority and humility.
1 Corinthians 4 18 Commentary
Paul's words here serve as a stark warning against spiritual pride and factionalism. He confronts those within the Corinthian church who, due to their "puffed up" (hyperpephysiomenoi) state, make empty boasts. The phrase signifies an internal inflation of self-importance rather than a genuine demonstration of Christ's power. Paul intends to visit them to assess whether their proclaimed spiritual strength is real or merely superficial talk. His impending arrival is meant to be a test; he wants to see if their confidence is rooted in the Holy Spirit's transformative power or in a fleshly desire for status. This approach is characteristic of Paul's fatherly concern: to guide the church towards true spirituality and away from divisive arrogance. His authority is not for destruction but for spiritual building up.