Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Corinthians 4:18

"Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you." — 1 Corinthians 4:18 (ASV)

Now some are puffed up.—Some of those in Corinth who were puffed up used to say that the Apostle would not come to visit the Corinthian Church. As soon as they heard the announcement that he was sending Timothy, they would naturally say, "That is proof of our assertion. He is afraid to come himself, so he sends Timothy in his place."

“But,” St. Paul says, “I will come to you shortly, God willing”—his intention was to remain at Ephesus until after Pentecost (see 1 Corinthians 16:8)—“and then I will discern spiritual power, and not empty and boastful words; for that kingdom which Christ founded, and which we, his ambassadors, are establishing, does not consist in mere words, but in spiritual might.”