1 Corinthians 4:18

KJV

Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} some {G5100} are puffed up {G5448}, as though {G5613} I {G3450} would {G2064} not {G3361} come {G2064} to {G4314} you {G5209}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When I didn’t come to visit you, some of you became arrogant.

Berean Standard Bible

Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.

American Standard Version

Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 4:18, the Apostle Paul addresses a specific group within the Corinthian church who had become arrogantly self-important, presuming that his delayed or uncertain visit meant he would not personally confront their spiritual pride and divisive behavior. This verse serves as a direct challenge to their inflated sense of spiritual superiority and sets the stage for Paul's imminent arrival and the demonstration of true spiritual authority, which is rooted in God's power, not human boasting.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Paul's statement in [1 Corinthians 4:18](/1_corinthians/4-18 "1 Corinthians 4:18 - Paul Addresses Corinthian Arrogance") is embedded within a broader argument concerning apostolic authority, spiritual leadership, and the pervasive problem of division and arrogance within the Corinthian church. Chapters [1 Corinthians 1-3](/1_corinthians/1-3 "1 Corinthians 1-3 - Divisions and Wisdom") lay the groundwork by exposing the Corinthians' carnal divisions based on human wisdom and allegiances to different leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas). Chapter [1 Corinthians 4](/1_corinthians/4 "1 Corinthians 4 - Apostles as Servants") then presents Paul's defense of his own apostolic ministry, emphasizing that apostles are merely "servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God" ([1 Corinthians 4:1](/1_corinthians/4-1 "1 Corinthians 4:1 - Stewards of God's Mysteries")). He contrasts his humble, suffering ministry with the Corinthians' self-congratulatory pride, culminating in the sharp rebuke of their "puffed up" attitude in this verse, which directly precedes his declaration of an imminent visit to test their "power" rather than mere "words" ([1 Corinthians 4:19](/1_corinthians/4-19 "1 Corinthians 4:19 - Paul's Promise to Visit")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan hub known for its wealth, diverse philosophical schools, and a culture that highly valued rhetoric, eloquence, and social status. Many Corinthians, including some believers, brought these worldly values into the church, leading to a competitive spirit where spiritual gifts were flaunted, and leaders were evaluated based on their oratorical skill or perceived worldly success rather than their faithful stewardship of the gospel. This environment fostered a climate where individuals could easily become "puffed up" with intellectual or spiritual pride, viewing themselves as superior and challenging the authority of those, like Paul, who did not conform to their worldly standards of power or prestige. Paul, as a humble tentmaker who often suffered for the gospel, did not fit the mold of a celebrated orator or philosopher, making him an easy target for those who sought to undermine his authority in his absence.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Corinthians. Foremost is the theme of **spiritual pride and arrogance**, which Paul frequently contrasts with genuine humility and love. The "puffed up" attitude is a recurring motif, seen also in discussions about knowledge ([1 Corinthians 8:1](/1_corinthians/8-1 "1 Corinthians 8:1 - Knowledge Puffs Up, Love Builds Up")), and even in the context of the Lord's Supper ([1 Corinthians 11:17-34](/1_corinthians/11-17-34 "1 Corinthians 11:17-34 - Divisions at the Lord's Supper")). Another crucial theme is the **nature of true spiritual authority and leadership**. Paul consistently redefines leadership not as a position of worldly power or honor, but as humble servanthood, suffering, and stewardship of God's truth, as exemplified by himself and the other apostles ([1 Corinthians 4:9-13](/1_corinthians/4-9-13 "1 Corinthians 4:9-13 - The Apostles as Spectacles")). Finally, the verse highlights the theme of **apostolic accountability and discipline**, as Paul's impending visit signals that their actions will not go unchecked, but will be met with a demonstration of God's power and a call to repentance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **some (Greek, _tìs'_):** This indefinite pronoun (G5100) indicates that Paul is referring to a specific, though unnamed, group within the Corinthian church. It suggests that not everyone was "puffed up," but a significant or influential faction had adopted this arrogant posture. The use of "some" implies a targeted critique rather than a sweeping condemnation of the entire community, allowing for a distinction between those who were genuinely humble and those who were causing problems.
* **puffed up (Greek, _physióō'_):** This verb (G5448) literally means "to inflate" or "to swell," as if with air. Figuratively, it denotes arrogance, conceit, or being haughty. Paul uses this vivid metaphor to describe an unhealthy, empty self-importance that is not based on substance but on an inflated ego. It contrasts sharply with genuine spiritual growth, which is characterized by humility and love. This "puffed up" state is a recurring concern for Paul in this epistle, consistently linked to a lack of love and a misunderstanding of true spiritual maturity.
* **come (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This primary verb (G2064) signifies "to come or go" in a variety of applications, both literal and figurative. Here, it refers to Paul's physical presence and visit to Corinth. The "puffed up" individuals presumed Paul would "not come," perhaps believing he was afraid, unwilling, or unable to confront them directly. This presumption emboldened their arrogance, making Paul's declaration of his intent to visit a direct challenge to their false sense of security and a promise of impending accountability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now some are puffed up,"**: This opening clause immediately identifies the core problem in Corinth: a faction within the church has become arrogant and conceited. The term "puffed up" vividly portrays their inflated sense of self-importance, likely stemming from a misunderstanding of spiritual gifts, knowledge, or their perceived status within the community. This pride was a root cause of the divisions and challenges to Paul's authority.
* **"as though I would not come to you."**: This second clause reveals the specific nature of their arrogance: they believed Paul would not visit them. This presumption might have been based on his previous delays or their misinterpretation of his pastoral approach. They likely thought his absence meant he was either unwilling or unable to exercise his apostolic authority and confront their ungodly behavior directly. Their "puffed up" state was emboldened by this false sense of security, assuming they would escape personal accountability from their spiritual father.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in [1 Corinthians 4:18](/1_corinthians/4-18 "1 Corinthians 4:18 - Paul Addresses Corinthian Arrogance"). The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically in the phrase "puffed up" (physióō). This vivid image of being inflated like a balloon effectively conveys the emptiness and superficiality of their pride, suggesting a lack of true spiritual substance. There is also a strong element of **Irony** at play; those who are "puffed up" with worldly wisdom and self-importance are, in Paul's view, spiritually weak and immature. They boast of their "wisdom" but lack the true power of God. Finally, the verse functions as a form of **Anticipation** or **Foreshadowing**, as Paul's statement about their presumption of his non-arrival directly sets up his powerful declaration in the very next verse that he *will* indeed come, and not just with words, but with a demonstration of God's power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 4:18 underscores the profound theological truth that spiritual maturity is characterized by humility, not by an inflated sense of self-importance or a reliance on human wisdom and status. The "puffed up" attitude in Corinth was a direct affront to the gospel's message of Christ's humble servanthood and the Spirit's work in empowering weakness, not human strength. Paul's challenge to their presumption highlights the necessity of accountability within the body of Christ and the reality of divine judgment that begins in the household of God. True spiritual authority, as exemplified by Paul, is not about lording over others but about faithfully stewarding God's mysteries and nurturing the church in love, even if it requires confrontation. This verse serves as a crucial reminder that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, a principle foundational to Christian living.

* [1 Corinthians 4:19](/1_corinthians/4-19 "Paul's Promise to Visit with Power")
* [1 Corinthians 8:1](/1_corinthians/8-1 "Knowledge Puffs Up, Love Builds Up")
* [Galatians 6:3](/galatians/6-3 "Do Not Deceive Yourselves")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The warning against being "puffed up" in [1 Corinthians 4:18](/1_corinthians/4-18 "1 Corinthians 4:18 - Paul Addresses Corinthian Arrogance") remains profoundly relevant for believers and churches today. Spiritual pride, whether stemming from knowledge, gifts, ministry success, or perceived theological superiority, is a dangerous snare that hinders genuine spiritual growth, fosters division, and quenches the Spirit's work. This verse calls us to a radical self-assessment: are we living with a humble awareness of our dependence on God, or are we subtly, or even overtly, boasting in ourselves and our accomplishments? It reminds us that true spiritual power is found not in human eloquence or worldly status, but in the humble demonstration of God's Spirit and power, often through weakness and suffering. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of accountability within the Christian community, reminding us that presuming immunity from correction or challenging legitimate spiritual authority can lead to spiritual stagnation and a distorted view of God's grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or ministry might I be subtly "puffed up," perhaps without realizing it?**
* **How does a humble posture, as opposed to a "puffed up" one, impact my relationships within the church and my witness to the world?**
* **Am I open to accountability and correction from spiritual leaders, or do I resist it, perhaps presuming I am beyond reproach?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater reliance on God's power and a deeper humility in my spiritual walk?**

### FAQ

**Why were some in Corinth "puffed up"?**

Answer: Some in Corinth were "puffed up" primarily due to a misunderstanding of true spiritual wisdom and authority, influenced by the city's prevailing culture that valued rhetoric, philosophy, and social status. They had begun to boast in human leaders and worldly wisdom ([1 Corinthians 1:18-25](/1_corinthians/1-18-25 "1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - The Wisdom of God vs. Human Wisdom")), forming factions around different apostles ([1 Corinthians 3:3-4](/1_corinthians/3-3-4 "1 Corinthians 3:3-4 - Divisions and Carnality")). This led to a competitive spirit where individuals might have been proud of their perceived spiritual gifts, knowledge, or eloquence, viewing themselves as superior to others or even to Paul, who did not conform to their worldly standards of success. Paul explicitly states that "knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" ([1 Corinthians 8:1](/1_corinthians/8-1 "1 Corinthians 8:1 - Knowledge Puffs Up, Love Builds Up")), indicating that their pride was often rooted in an intellectual arrogance divorced from genuine love.

**What does Paul mean by "as though I would not come to you"?**

Answer: Paul means that the "puffed up" individuals in Corinth were operating under the false assumption that he would not actually visit them, or that he was afraid to confront them directly. His previous delays in visiting Corinth might have led them to believe he was hesitant or unable to exercise his apostolic authority in person. This presumption emboldened their arrogance and allowed them to continue in their divisive and ungodly behaviors without fear of immediate accountability. Paul's statement here is a direct challenge to that presumption, setting the stage for his firm declaration in [1 Corinthians 4:19](/1_corinthians/4-19 "1 Corinthians 4:19 - Paul's Promise to Visit") that he *will* indeed come, and his visit will reveal the true spiritual substance (the "power") of their claims, not just their empty words.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 4:18, with its indictment of those "puffed up" and presuming Paul's absence, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the stark contrast between human pride and the humble, self-emptying nature of Christ's incarnation and ministry. While the Corinthians boasted in worldly wisdom and status, Christ "made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")). He did not come as a conquering king initially, but as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") to suffer and die for the sins of the world. The arrogance Paul confronts in Corinth is the antithesis of the humility exemplified by Jesus, who taught His disciples that "whosoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" ([Matthew 23:12](/matthew/23-12 "Matthew 23:12 - Humility and Exaltation")). Furthermore, the Corinthian presumption of Paul's non-arrival and lack of accountability foreshadows the world's (and even some within the church's) skepticism regarding Christ's promised return and ultimate judgment. Just as Paul promised to come and test their "power" ([1 Corinthians 4:19](/1_corinthians/4-19 "1 Corinthians 4:19 - Paul's Promise to Visit with Power")), so too will Christ return, not merely with words, but with the full demonstration of His divine power and authority, to judge the living and the dead ([Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God's Appointed Day of Judgment")). The "puffed up" will be humbled before Him, while those who have embraced His humble way will be exalted.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 5:2

And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

1 Corinthians 4:6

And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and [to] Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think [of men] above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

1 Corinthians 4:8

Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

1 Corinthians 4:21

What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and [in] the spirit of meekness?