4:18,19
We need to remember that communications were rather different in those days. If Paul was held up, as 2 Corinthians will make clear there were problems, he could not send a “running late” text message! So it appeared that Paul was not going to be coming to Corinth, and some sought to take advantage of this. However, while there had been a change of plan, Paul most certainly did intend to visit Corinth. Then Paul would find out exactly what was going on, and what power, if any, the dissenters had.
4:20,21
The philosophers loved to talk, but the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. Clearly words matter, but the gospel is also about effective power. It involved miracles and healings, it involved changed lives. The detractors were normally just windbags, all talk and no power. We need to be wary of the same phenomenon today. So the people had a choice. If necessary Paul would come “with a rod of discipline”, and if they insisted on being hard hearted he would come in such a manner. But if they repented and were teachable, he would come “in love and with a gentle spirit”.
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