1 Corinthians 4:20

KJV

For the kingdom of God [is] not in word, but in power.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316} is not {G3756} in {G1722} word {G3056}, but {G235} in {G1722} power {G1411}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of words but of power.

Berean Standard Bible

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

American Standard Version

For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Corinthians 4:20 declares a foundational truth about the nature of God's reign, asserting that the Kingdom of God is not characterized by mere human eloquence, persuasive rhetoric, or intellectual discourse, but rather by the tangible, transformative, and miraculous power of God. This verse serves as a concise yet potent summary of Paul's ongoing argument against the Corinthian church's overemphasis on human wisdom and their superficial understanding of spiritual authority, redirecting their focus to the authentic, Spirit-empowered reality of God's active presence and work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse stands as a climactic declaration within Paul's broader argument in 1 Corinthians, particularly following his rebuke of the Corinthian church's divisions and their misplaced pride in human leaders and worldly wisdom (chapters 1-3). Paul consistently contrasts human wisdom with God's wisdom and power, emphasizing that the Gospel's effectiveness does not rely on eloquent speech but on the Spirit's demonstration. In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul defends his apostolic ministry, which the Corinthians had seemingly devalued due to his lack of rhetorical flair compared to other teachers. He highlights his suffering and humility as marks of true apostleship, implicitly challenging their worldly standards of success. Verse 20 directly precedes Paul's intention to visit Corinth, where he promises to assess not merely the "word" of those boasting but their "power," thereby putting their claims to the test of divine reality.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a prominent center of commerce, culture, and philosophy in the Roman world, renowned for its sophisticated rhetorical schools and its appreciation for eloquent speakers and intellectual debate. This cultural milieu significantly influenced the Corinthian believers, leading some to prioritize persuasive speech, human wisdom, and charismatic personalities over the humble, Spirit-empowered message of the cross. They likely admired teachers who could articulate the Gospel with philosophical depth and rhetorical skill, potentially viewing Paul's straightforward preaching as lacking. Paul's statement in [1 Corinthians 1:17-25](/1_corinthians/1-17-25 "The Message of the Cross vs. Human Wisdom") and [1 Corinthians 2:1-5](/1_corinthians/2-1-5 "Paul's Preaching: Not with Eloquence but Power") directly addresses this cultural predisposition, asserting that God deliberately chose to use "foolish" and "weak" means to confound the "wise" and "strong" of the world, ensuring that faith rests on God's power, not human wisdom.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is the stark **contrast between human wisdom/rhetoric and divine power**. Paul repeatedly emphasizes that the true nature of God's work and the advancement of His Kingdom are not dependent on human intellectual prowess or persuasive speech, but on the active, transformative power of the Holy Spirit. This leads to the theme of **authentic ministry**, where genuine spiritual authority is validated not by worldly standards of success or eloquence, but by the manifest presence and power of God working through His servants. The verse also underscores the **present reality of the Kingdom of God**, not merely as a future hope but as God's active, sovereign reign breaking into the present, demonstrating its reality through spiritual transformation and supernatural works. This aligns with Paul's earlier assertion in [1 Corinthians 2:4](/1_corinthians/2-4 "Paul's Preaching in Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power"), where he states his message came "not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Kingdom (Greek, _basileía'_):** From the root meaning "king," this term signifies royalty, rule, or a realm. In this context, "the kingdom of God" refers to God's sovereign reign, His active rule and authority, which is both a present spiritual reality and a future consummation. It is not merely a concept or a future hope, but the dynamic, operative sphere of God's dominion.
* **Word (Greek, _lógos'_):** While _lógos_ can refer to the divine Word (Christ), in this specific context, it denotes something said, discourse, speech, or mere talk. Paul uses it to contrast empty rhetoric, intellectual arguments, or persuasive human eloquence with the substantive reality of God's power. It highlights the superficiality of mere verbal claims without corresponding spiritual reality.
* **Power (Greek, _dýnamis'_):** This word signifies inherent ability, force, strength, or miraculous power. It is the root of English words like "dynamic" and "dynamite." Here, it refers to the active, operative, supernatural energy of God that brings about transformation, spiritual gifts, and miraculous results. It emphasizes the demonstrative, experiential aspect of God's Kingdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the kingdom of God":** This phrase introduces the subject: God's active, sovereign reign. It is not an abstract concept but a present reality that manifests itself in the world through believers. The "for" (G1063, _gár_) indicates that this statement provides the reason or explanation for Paul's previous warnings and his upcoming visit to Corinth.
* **"[is] not in word":** This negative assertion clarifies what the Kingdom of God is *not* characterized by. It is not found in mere human speech, intellectual arguments, persuasive rhetoric, or empty boasting. It directly challenges the Corinthian church's tendency to value eloquent speakers and philosophical discussions above genuine spiritual substance.
* **"but in power":** This positive affirmation declares what the Kingdom of God *is* characterized by. It is manifested through the active, transformative, and often miraculous power of God, demonstrated through the Holy Spirit. This power is seen in changed lives, spiritual gifts, divine interventions, and the authentic impact of the Gospel, contrasting sharply with superficial verbal displays.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs **Antithesis** in this verse, creating a sharp contrast between "word" (_lógos_) and "power" (_dýnamis_). This rhetorical device effectively highlights the fundamental difference between human wisdom and divine manifestation, emphasizing that the Kingdom of God operates on a different plane than worldly systems. The term "word" here functions as a **Metonymy**, where "word" stands for human eloquence, persuasive rhetoric, or intellectual argumentation, which the Corinthians valued. Similarly, "power" serves as a **Metonymy** for the tangible demonstration of God's Spirit, miraculous works, and transformative spiritual reality. This concise, antithetical statement serves as a powerful summary of Paul's entire argument against the Corinthians' misguided priorities.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 4:20 profoundly shapes our understanding of God's Kingdom, emphasizing that it is not merely a set of doctrines to be intellectually grasped or eloquently debated, but a dynamic, living reality empowered by God's Spirit. It underscores that the true measure of spiritual authenticity and effectiveness in ministry lies not in human charisma, rhetorical skill, or intellectual prowess, but in the manifest power of God working through and among believers. This power validates the Gospel message, transforms lives, and demonstrates God's active reign in the world, shifting the focus from human performance to divine enablement.

* [Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "The Kingdom of God is Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit")
* [1 Thessalonians 1:5](/1_thessalonians/1-5 "Our Gospel Came Not in Word Only, but in Power")
* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Power of the Holy Spirit for Witness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a powerful and enduring challenge to believers and the church across all generations. It calls us to move beyond a superficial, intellectualized, or merely verbal Christianity to one that is deeply rooted in and demonstrably empowered by the Holy Spirit. For individual believers, it prompts self-examination: Is my faith merely a set of beliefs I articulate, or is it a transformative power at work in my life, producing fruit and manifesting God's presence? For the church, it demands a critical assessment of our priorities: Are we chasing after worldly measures of success, such as eloquent speakers, impressive programs, or intellectual sophistication, or are we earnestly seeking and depending on the manifest power of God to bring about genuine spiritual transformation and impact? True ministry, according to Paul, is not about what we say, but about what God does through us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or ministry do I tend to rely more on human wisdom or eloquent words than on the power of God?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater dependence on the Holy Spirit's power in my daily walk and service?**
* **What might it look like for my church to prioritize the "power" of the Kingdom over mere "word" or human performance?**

### FAQ

**What does "the kingdom of God" mean in this context?**

Answer: In this context, "the kingdom of God" refers to God's active, sovereign rule and reign, which is a present spiritual reality breaking into human history through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It's not just a future heavenly realm, but God's dynamic authority being exercised now, transforming lives and demonstrating His power. Paul is emphasizing that this reign is not abstract or merely verbal, but tangible and impactful.

**What is the contrast between "word" and "power"?**

Answer: The contrast highlights that the Kingdom of God is not based on empty rhetoric, human eloquence, persuasive arguments, or intellectual boasting ("word"). Instead, its reality is demonstrated through the active, transformative, and often miraculous work of God's Spirit ("power"). It's a distinction between superficial talk and substantive, divine manifestation. Paul had previously stated his preaching was "not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power" in [1 Corinthians 2:4](/1_corinthians/2-4 "Paul's Preaching in Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power"), reinforcing this core idea.

**How does this verse apply to Christian ministry today?**

Answer: This verse is a vital reminder for all Christian ministry that true effectiveness comes from God's power, not human ability. It challenges ministers to rely on the Holy Spirit for anointing, guidance, and the demonstration of God's presence, rather than on their own charisma, oratorical skills, or strategic planning alone. It means that the Gospel should be proclaimed not just with words, but with the accompanying evidence of God's transformative power in lives and circumstances, as was evident in the early church's ministry (e.g., [Acts 4:33](/acts/4-33 "Great Power and Grace of the Apostles")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 4:20 finds its ultimate fulfillment and clearest demonstration in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of the Kingdom of God, and His earthly ministry was characterized not by mere words, but by unparalleled divine power. Jesus taught with authority, unlike the scribes (e.g., [Matthew 7:29](/matthew/7-29 "Jesus Taught with Authority")), and His words were consistently accompanied by mighty deeds—healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, and calming storms. These acts were not just miracles, but powerful signs that the Kingdom of God had indeed "come upon you" (e.g., [Matthew 12:28](/matthew/12-28 "Jesus' Exorcisms as a Sign of the Kingdom")). His life, death, and resurrection are the supreme demonstration of God's power over sin and death (e.g., [Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Declared Son of God with Power by Resurrection")). The power Paul speaks of in this verse is the same power that raised Christ from the dead and now works through believers, enabling them to continue His mission, proclaiming the Gospel not just in compelling speech, but in the life-transforming power of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus promised His disciples in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Power of the Holy Spirit for Witness").

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 2:4

And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

1 Thessalonians 1:5

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

2 Corinthians 10:4

(For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

2 Corinthians 10:5

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Romans 14:17

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Romans 1:16

¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 15:19

Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.