Lessons #137 and 138
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+ 1. It is best to use this note after you have listened to the lessons because there are +
+ comments given in the actual delivery not in the note. +
+ 2. The Bible abbreviations are as follows: CEV =Contemporary English version, +
+ CEB = Common English Bible, ESV= English Standard Version, +
+ GW = God’s Word Translation, ISV = International Standard Version, +
+ NAB=New English Bible, NASB= New American Standard Bible, +
+ NEB= New English Bible, NET = New English Translation, +
+ NLT = New Living Translations NJB = New Jerusalem Bible, +
+ NJV = New Jewish Bible, TEV = Today’s English Version. +
+AMP = Amplified Bible, UBS = United Bible Society +
+ 3. Notes have not been edited for grammatical errors. +
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Apostle Paul’s concern for the Corinthians (1 Cor 4:14-21)
... 18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. 19 But 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. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
Pastors, like most believers, get discouraged because their plans for their congregations do not work out exactly how they envisioned them. Some of their plans concern programs that have very little biblical support. Thus, when such programs fail, they become discouraged. Even if their plans are biblically sound, the truth is that they should recognize that their plans are subject to God’s plan. The Scripture conveys this truth in several places but consider the declaration of Proverbs 19:21:
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
This passage reminds us that we may draw up several plans but only the Lord’s plan that would take place. In other words, only if our plan lines up with the Lord’s plan would it come to fruition. So, pastors and believers should remember that they belong to God and so they are to be governed by His plan and not theirs. When we make plans, we should trust that if they are in accordance with His plan then the plans would come to fruition. In effect, we should be mindful that we are subject to His plan and so we trust Him, as implied by the instruction of Proverbs 16:3:
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed
The word “commit” has the sense of “to trust” or “rely” so that we are instructed to trust or rely on the Lord so that our plans would be successful. What this means is that when we make plans, we must trust in the Lord that if they are in accordance with His plan they will succeed. We should subject our plans to God’s approval.
This truth that we should subject our plans to God’s approval is one that Apostle Paul recognized in the passage we are considering. The apostle had indicated that some in the local church in Corinth had become arrogant because they were of the opinion the apostle would not come to Corinth since they have not seen him return to Corinth for quite some time. Those who had this kind of thinking forgot the point we are expounding that every of our plan is subject to God’s approval. The apostle was nothing like these individuals as reflected in what he stated in 1 Corinthians 4:19 beginning with the word but that begins the verse in the NIV.
The conjunction but that begins verse 19 is translated from a Greek particle (de) that is one of the most common Greek particles used to connect one clause to another, either to express contrast or simple continuation. It may be translated “but” to mark a contrast between clauses. However, it is often translated “and” when there is no clear implied contrast between clauses but there is a connection between them. Of course, in certain occurrences, it is left untranslated. In our passage, it is used to convey contrast between the apostle and those arrogant individuals in Corinth in two respects.
In the first respect, the apostle contrasts the thought of the arrogant believers in Corinth to his regarding his visiting of Corinth. The arrogant believers in Corinth assumed that the apostle had forgotten them and so would not return but the apostle conveyed that their assumption is incorrect because he had in mind to come to them as in the first clause of 1 Corinthians 4:19 But I will come to you very soon. The word “come” is translated from a Greek word (erchomai) with a range of meanings. It may mean “to bring” as it is used in Jesus’ Parable of the Lamp as narrated in Mark 4:21:
He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?
The word may mean “to suffer, endure” as it is used of the woman that had endured much suffering due to hemorrhaging in Mark 5:26:
She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.
The word may mean “to go” as it is used in the response of some of the disciples of Jesus that accompanied Peter to go fishing after the His death and resurrection, as narrated in John 21:3:
“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
The word may mean “to come” as it is used in Peter’s question to Cornelius upon arriving at his house, as we read in Acts 10:29:
So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
The word may mean “to happen”, as Apostle Paul used it to interpret his experience of suffering, especially, in Philippi, as leading to advancing of the gospel in Philippians 1:12:
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.
In our passage of 1 Corinthians 4:19, it is used with the meaning “to come.” The apostle planned to come to the Corinthians as evident in what he stated in his second epistle to them, according to 2 Corinthians 1:15–17:
15 Because I was confident of this, I planned to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. 16 I planned to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 When I planned this, did I do it lightly? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say, “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?
Thus, the apostle had in his mind to visit the Corinthians in some undefined future time as conveyed in the phrase of 1 Corinthians 4:19 of the NIV very soon.
The word “soon” is translated from a Greek word (tacheōs) that in a favorable sense may mean “quickly, at once, without delay, soon” as it is used to describe Mary’s response on hearing of the Lord Jesus’ arrival following Lazarus’ death, as recorded in John 11:31:
When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
When the word is used to say or plead in protest, reproof, or opposition, it means “too quickly, too easily, hastily,” as the word is used in Apostle Paul’s surprise of how easily the Galatians abandoned the doctrine of justification by faith in Galatians 1:6:
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
The word may mean “soon” as it pertains to a future point of time that is subsequent to another point of time, with focus on brevity of interval rather than on speed of activity. It is with this meaning that the word is used in Apostle Paul’s expectation of sending Timothy to the Philippians in Philippians 2:19:
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.
It is in the sense of “soon,” that is, near future that the word is used in 1 Corinthians 4:19. When the apostle used the word “soon” he was not thinking of the speed by which he would come but on the brevity of the interval between what he wrote and the action that he anticipate taking, which is his visit to Corinth. Again, it is the first respect of the contrast in thought between himself and the arrogant believers in Corinth who assumed he would not return to Corinth that he used the word but that begins 1 Corinthians 4:19 we are considering.
In the second respect, the apostle contrasts his understanding of the working out of human plan to that of some in Corinth. The arrogant individuals did not consider the fact that it is up to humans to make plans, but that God is the One who puts or denies His stamp of approval. The arrogant individuals did not understand this, otherwise they would not have thought the apostle would not come to them since he was still alive. If he were dead, then their assumption would have been right. But because the apostle was still alive, they should have recognized that it is God who determines when and if the apostle would visit them. In contrast to them, the apostle conveyed that he recognized that his plan is subject to God’s approval as he penned in the next clause of 1 Corinthians 4:19 if the Lord is willing or literally if the Lord wills. The word Lord here refers to Jesus Christ since He is the One apostle usually refers as Lord in his epistles unless he is quoting from the OT or the context indicates He meant God without distinction of persons of the Godhead. Hence, the apostle indicates that if the Lord Jesus is willing, he will carry out his plan.
The expression “is willing” of the NIV is translated from a Greek word (thelō) that may mean “to wish to have, desire, want,” that is, to have a desire for something as Apostle Paul used it to describe what he wanted Roman believers to do, as stated in Romans 16:19:
Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
The word may mean to have something in mind for oneself and so means “to purpose, will, wish, decide.” It is with the meaning “to wish” that Apostle Paul used it in his question to the Galatians of desiring to be enslaved to what they had been freed from in Galatians 4:9:
But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
It is with the meaning “to will” that the apostle used it to describe God’s action on believers to accomplish His purpose in Philippians 2:13:
for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
The word may mean to take pleasure in something in view of its being desirable and so means “to enjoy, like, take pleasure in something” as Apostle Paul used it to describe false individuals in Colosse that took pleasure in false humility and in the worship of angels in Colossians 2:18:
Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.
The word may mean “to have an opinion,” “to think something to be so,” that is, “to maintain” something that is contrary to the true state of affairs as it is used to describe false teachers whose opinion is described in 2 Peter 3:5:
But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.
The clause they deliberately forget is literally in maintaining this it escapes them. In our passage of 1 Corinthians 4:19, the sense of the word is “to be willing”, that is, “to be or become inclined or disposed to something; often used of tasks.” Hence, the apostle meant to convey that his planned visit is subject to divine approval. Let me ask you: Do you constantly recognize that your plan is subject to God’s approval? Or do you think like those who do not understand God’s control over every event of this life?
The apostle had the sound mentality that all his plans are subject to God’s approval. This he demonstrated several times by using the language of the type or formula he used in the clause of 1 Corinthians 4:19 if the Lord is willing. Take for example, when he was in Ephesus, he made a promise to return but under the Lord’s approval since he used similar formula in Acts 18:21:
But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.
His planned visit to Rome is expressed using the same formula in Romans 15:32:
so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.
Hence, we should recognize that the apostle was aware that all his plans were subject to God’s approval. A wise believer should never forget this truth. It is for this reason that the Holy Spirit through James conveyed that the concept of the formula the apostle used in expressing his desired visit to the Corinthians is one that should characterize believers, as stated in James 4:15:
Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
By the way, pastors should be aware that even their teaching schedule is subject to God’s approval as the human author of Hebrews implied in his promise of reviewing basic doctrines to the recipients of his epistle as being subject to God’s approval, as we read in Hebrews 6:3:
And God permitting, we will do so.
In any event, the point we have expounded is that that pastors should always be mindful that whatever they desire to do with or in their congregations is subject to divine plan or approval. This instruction is applicable to all believers in that they must be mindful that their plans are subject to God’s approval so that they do not get unnecessarily discouraged when their plans do not work out the way they think they should. With this reminder, we continue to consider a second thing pastors should do in ensuring a healthy spiritual life of the believers is their congregations.
A second thing pastors should do to ensure healthy spiritual life among members in their congregation is to encourage them to effectively live out the word of God they hear taught to them. This requires that pastors should be watchful to recognize any demonstration of arrogance in the local congregation and to evaluate how such influences members of the congregation. This task, is, of course, related to the first responsibility of discoursing arrogance but it is also necessary for encouraging effective living out the word of God. This task is derived from what Apostle Paul communicated he would want to do if he came to Corinth. There are two things the apostle indicated he would like to do if he came to Corinth because of the problem of arrogance among some members. He would want to know how these arrogant individuals convey their arrogance. It is this proposed action that is given in the clause of 1 Corinthians 4:19 and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking. So, the apostle is concerned with how those that are arrogant in Corinth manifest their arrogance through their communication. Of course, he would learn through observation how this is done. We use the word “observation” because that is implied in the Greek word used that is translated “find out” in the NIV.
The expression “find out” of the NIV is translated from a Greek word (ginōskō) that basically means “to know” but has several meanings. If you consult a good English dictionary you will discover that the verb “to know” has several meanings. For example, it could mean to be familiar or friendly with a person. So, it should not come to you as a surprise that the Greek word translated “to know” will have several meanings. The Greek word may mean to be aware of something, that is, “to perceive, notice, realize”, as it is used to describe that the woman Jesus healed of her bleeding realized or perceived it, as recorded in Mark 5:29:
Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
The sentence she felt is more literally she knew, that is, she realized or perceived that she has been healed because her bleeding stopped. The word may mean “to acknowledge, recognize” as it is used in a passage we cited previously, that is, Galatians 4:9:
But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
Although the NIV translated our Greek word with “know” twice but the sense of the Greek word in this passage is that of “to acknowledge.” Thus, the clause now that you know God is translated in the NEB as now that you do acknowledge God. The word may mean “to learn, to find out,” that is, to acquire information by whatever means, but often with the implication of personal involvement or experience. This is the sense in which the word is used when Apostle Paul wanted to find out about the spiritual status of the Thessalonians, as we read in 1 Thessalonians 3:5:
For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.
The Greek word may mean to grasp the significance or meaning of something, that is, to understand, to comprehend. It is in this sense that the word is used by the apostle in this epistle to the Corinthians to indicate that if earthly rulers understood God’s wisdom as it relates to our redemption, they would not have crucified Christ, as we read in 1 Corinthians 2:8:
None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Another meaning of the Greek word rendered “to know” is to have come to the knowledge of something or someone hence means “to have come to know”. Thus, the apostle used it to indicate that the Corinthians have come to know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in 2 Corinthians 8:9:
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
The apostle used it in this sense to indicate those that God knows as His own in 2 Timothy 2:19:
Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
Still another meaning of our Greek word is to arrive at a knowledge of someone through direct personal experience, implying a continuity of relationship, that is, “to know, to become acquainted with, to be familiar with.” It is in this sense of intimate relationship that the word is used in John 17:3:
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
This meaning of being acquainted can refer to things so Apostle Paul used it in that sense to convey to the Corinthians the nature of his love in 2 Corinthians 2:4:
For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.
In our passage of 1 Corinthians 4:19, the word means either “to acquire information through some means”, that is, “to find out, learn, ascertain” or “to know (experientially),” that is, “to know or have knowledge about (someone or something); normally as acquired through observation or the senses.” Regardless of which English expression is used to translate our Greek word, the sense here involves observation or experience. Thus, the apostle indicated that it is not merely getting information from someone but that through his observation of the arrogant individuals he would find out how they evidence their arrogance in their communication.
We used the word “communication” because the verbal phrase in the NIV of 1 Corinthians 4:19 are talking is translated from a Greek noun (logos) that concerns communication of what is in a person’s mind so that it means “word.” However, it has several nuances. It may mean “question” as that is the sense of the word in Jesus’ interaction with the chief priests and Jewish elders who questioned His authority in Matthew 21:24:
Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
The phrase one question is literally one word. The word may mean “story” as the word is used to describe what the soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus were instructed by the Jewish authorities to deny that resurrection took place but that Jesus’ body was stolen by His disciples, as we read in Matthew 28:15:
So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
The word may mean “message”, as it is used to refer to the preaching of Peter on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:41:
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
The phrase his message is literally his word. The Greek word may mean “speech, assertion” as it is used by Stephen in his sermon to describe Moses, as recorded in Acts 7:22:
Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.
The phrase powerful in speech is literally powerful in words. The Greek word may mean “report, news” as it is used to indicate that the early church received report of conversion of Gentiles in Antioch, as we read in Acts 11:22:
News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
The sentence News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem is literally the word was heard in the ears of the assembly that is in Jerusalem. It may mean a subject under consideration hence “matter” as that is the sense of the word when it is used to describe the subject considered by the apostles and elders in the first church council in Jerusalem, as we read in Acts 15:6:
The apostles and elders met to consider this question.
The verbal phrase to consider this question may be translated to look into this matter. The Greek word may mean “statement”, as that is the sense of its usage in Luke’s record of the response of the elders of the Ephesian church to what Paul said to them in Acts 20:38:
What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
The phrase his statement is literally the word. The Greek word may mean “command” as it is used by Apostle Paul to quote from the OT Scripture about the summation of the law in Galatians 5:14:
The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
The phrase in a single command is literally in one word. The word may mean “appearance” as it is used in Colossians 2:23:
Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
The verbal phrase have an appearance of wisdom is literally having a word of wisdom. The Greek word may mean “instruction” as it is used in what Apostle Paul said to the Thessalonians regarding his letter to them in 2 Thessalonians 3:14:
If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed.
The phrase our instruction is literally our word. It may mean “preaching” when it is used with the Greek word that means “teaching”, as it is used in 1 Timothy 5:17:
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
The clause those whose work is preaching and teaching is literally those laboring in word and teaching. The Greek word may mean “reason, ground, motive” as the word is used to encourage believers to be able to defend what they believe in 1 Peter 3:15:
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
The phrase the reason for the hope is literally the word for the hope. The word may mean “account, accounts, reckoning” as it is used in 1 Peter 4:5:
But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
The word may mean “the Logos, Word” as the independent personified expression of God as it is used to describe Jesus Christ in Revelation 19:13:
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
In our passage of 1 Corinthians 4:19, the Greek word is used in the sense of “speech,” that is, “a more sustained act of communication by word of mouth (to an audience); especially, to persuade the hearers (to perform some action).” Thus, the apostle if he visited Corinth would by listening or observing the communication of these arrogant individuals will know or find out how their speech reveals their arrogance. The implication is that pastors must be on the lookout in their congregation to ensure that any communication that is intended to convey arrogance should be avoided or they should take steps to discourage that.
It is not only finding out about the speech of the arrogant individuals that the apostle would like to do when he comes to Corinth but also their effectiveness in influencing others in the congregation and how effective they are living out the word of God. It is this second thing that the apostle conveyed in the last clause of 1 Corinthians 4:19 but what power they have. The thing the apostle wants to observe carefully regarding the arrogant ones is their effectiveness and influence as that is what is conveyed in the word “power.”
The word power is translated from a Greek word (dynamis) from which we get our English word “dynamite.” It may mean potential for functioning in some way and so means “power, might, strength, force, capability.” It is in the sense of “capability” that the word is used when Apostle Peter explained his miracle as not due to his own capability but that provided through the name of Jesus Christ, as we read in Acts 3:12:
When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
It is with the meaning of ability to function that the Greek word translated “power” is used in Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:16:
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
The Greek word may refer to “power” that works wonder as it is that which Jesus declared went out from Him after the woman with bleeding was healed as recorded in Mark 5:30:
At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
The word “power” may refer to effectiveness in contrast to mere words or appearance, as the Apostle Paul used the word in 1 Thessalonians 1:5:
because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
The word may mean “ability” to carry out something, as the word is used to describe the generosity of the Macedonian churches in 2 Corinthians 8:3:
For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,
The word may mean “miracle, wonder” as it is used in Apostle Paul’s question to the Galatians who were gravitating towards the law as a means of justification, as we read in Galatians 3:5:
Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?
The word may mean “power” in the sense of a being, human or transcendent, that functions in a remarkable manner so it is used for created supernatural beings in Ephesians 1:21:
far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
The word may refer to capacity to convey thought and so means “meaning”, as the word is used in 1 Corinthians 14:11:
If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.
The phrase the meaning of what someone is saying is more literally the power of the voice. The word may mean “resource,” that is, something that serves as an adjunct of power. This is probably the meaning of the word in a passage where it is translated “strength”, that is, Revelation 3:8:
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
In our passage of 1 Corinthians 4:19, the meaning of the word is “power” in the sense of “effectiveness” and or “possession of controlling influence; often understood as manifesting influence over reality in a supernatural manner.” Although the apostle was certainly concerned about the influence of the arrogant individuals, but his emphasis was on the effectiveness of such individuals in influencing others and how effectively they live out the word of God. You see, a person may be arrogant but not affect others because such a person lacks effectiveness either in the person’s communication or in the person’s action. Hence, it is effectiveness or power that the arrogant persons in Corinth exert on others that the apostle would like to find out.
In any case, we have stated that a second thing pastors should do to ensure healthy spiritual life among members in their congregation is to encourage them to effectively live out the word of God they hear taught to them. It may be difficult to see the basis for this responsibility because there is nothing in verse 19 that directly states that pastors should encourage believers to effectively live out the word of God. However, it is the explanation of the apostle in verse 20 that enables us to state this second responsibility of pastors in ensuring healthy spiritual life of the members of their congregation. The explanation that we will get to shortly focused on the word “power” that we considered in verse 19. Because of this, we see that there is a connection between verses 19 and 20. Verse 19 states that which is negative while verse 20 states that which is positive. Thus, based on the positive declaration of verse 20, we derive what pastors should do to ensure a healthy spiritual life of the members of their congregation.
We are confident that verse 20 is concerned with an explanation that is related to verse 19 because we have in verse 20 a Greek conjunction (gar) translated “for” in the NIV that is used in different ways in the Greek. The Greek conjunction may be used as a marker of cause or reason so that it may be translated “for” or “because” in the English. It may be used as a marker of clarification or explanation so that it may be translated in the English with the word “for” or “you see.” It is in this sense that the word is used, for example, to explain how Lot felt when he lived in Sodom where the people were corrupt, as indicated in 2 Peter 2:8
(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—
Under this second usage, the Greek word may be used as a narrative marker to express continuation or connection in which case the Greek word may be left untranslated in the English translation. There are more nuances of the Greek conjunction under this second usage. The Greek conjunction may be used to signal an important point or transition to another topic, leading to the translation “well, then, you see.” It can also be translated “yes, indeed, certainly, surely”, especially when the Greek conjunction is used in replies, confirming what has been asked. This is how the translators of the NIV rendered it in the answer to the question Apostle Paul raised regarding the Thessalonians being those who are his and his team’s joy or crown when Jesus Christ appears, as stated in 1 Thessalonians 2:20:
Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
The Greek conjunction is here in 1 Thessalonians 2:20 translated “indeed.” That aside, there is another usage of the Greek conjunction in question. It is as a marker of inference so that it may be translated “certainly, by all means, so, then.” In our passage of 1 Corinthians 4:20, the Greek conjunction is used to provide explanation that indicates that the right type of influence and effectiveness expected from believers, concern living the right spiritual life in contrast to living a life that is governed by arrogance. The explanation that the apostle provides is given in the rest of verse 20 and that is where we will continue in our next study.