1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Paul is not simply laying the smack down on the Corinthians. He cares and loves them, though he does wish them to heed his warnings (v14). Paul's call to imitate him (v16) reminds us of the last paragraph and how the apostles were treated and how they reacted. However, to a more central and important point, we are called to imitate him for the end goal of truly imitating Christ (1 Cor 11:1).

Apparently some at the Corinthian church didn't even think Paul was coming. Paul is correcting their thinking telling them that he'll come soon (v19). There is an interesting statement though that he adds, "if the Lord wills" (v19, ESV). Paul knows that though he desires to come and he is moving in that direction, he is still a servant. As God's servant, his actions are ultimately dictated by God. God wanted Jonah to go to Nineveh. Even though Jonah didn't want to go and even went on a boat to a different place "away from the presence of the Lord" (Jonah 1:3), he eventually went because of God. In the same way, Paul may be forced to go somewhere else even though he wants to come meet them at the Corinthian church.

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

(v20, ESV)

This verse is awesome. Paul is saying this with reference to what some of the Corinthians are saying. He wants to come and see their power as opposed to their talk. Some people are all talk, but their actions do not confirm what they say.

Anyway, we should immitate Jesus, and this is what Paul does as well. Don't be all talk, but confirm what you say with your actions.