John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 4:20

"For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." — 1 Corinthians 4:20 (ASV)

For the kingdom of God is not in word. As the Lord governs the Church by his word, as with a scepter, the administration of the gospel is often called the kingdom of God. Here, then, we are to understand by the kingdom of God whatever tends in this direction and is appointed for this purpose—that God may reign among us.

He says that this kingdom does not consist in word; for how small a matter is it for anyone to have the skill to speak eloquently, while having nothing but empty tinkling? Let us then recognize that mere outward gracefulness and dexterity in teaching are like an elegant and beautifully colored body, while the power of which Paul here speaks is like the soul.

We have already seen that the preaching of the gospel is of such a nature that it is inwardly replete with a kind of solid majesty. This majesty shows itself when a minister strives by means of power rather than of speech—that is, when, not placing confidence in his own intellect or eloquence, but, furnished with spiritual armor (consisting of zeal for maintaining the Lord’s honor, eagerness for the raising up of Christ’s kingdom, a desire to edify, the fear of the Lord, invincible constancy, purity of conscience, and other necessary endowments), he applies himself diligently to the Lord’s work.

Without this, preaching is dead and has no strength, with whatever beauty it may be adorned. Hence, in his second epistle, he says that in Christ nothing avails but a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17)—a statement to the same effect. For he would have us not rest in outward masks, but depend solely on the internal power of the Holy Spirit.

But while in these words he represses the ambition of the false apostles, he at the same time reproves the Corinthians for their perverted judgment in measuring Christ's servants by what holds the lowest place among their excellences.

Here we have a remarkable statement, and one that is no less applicable to us than to them. As for our gospel, of which we are proud, where is it in most people except in the tongue? Where is newness of life? Where is spiritual efficacy? Nor is this the case only among the people. On the contrary, how many there are who, while endeavoring to gain favor and applause from the gospel as if it were some worldly skill, aim at nothing more than to speak with elegance and refinement!

I do not approve of restricting the term power to miracles, for from the contrast we can readily gather that it has a more extensive meaning.