Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Corinthians 4:19

19 But I will come to you shortly , if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them that are puffed up, but the power .

Paul intended in his journey to Rome to pass through Macedonia and Achaia, but he knew that God could hinder him, and therefore he adds, if God will; neither did Paul go to them so soon as he intended, but had time before he went to write another Epistle, as we shall afterwards find. All Christians are bound when they promise or resolve upon any journies, to understand, If God will, and to have in their thoughts the power of God to hinder them, and to speak with submission to his pleasure who counteth their steps, and telleth their wandrings, and ordereth their steps, though they be not strictly bound at all times to use this form of speech.

And when I come, then I shall understand these Teachers of yours, who so vilifie me, I shall not regard so much their fine words and philosophical reasonings, as what there is of spiritual life and power in them, either in their Doctrine or life, how conducive it is to the ends of the Gospel, and how consonant to the truth of the Gospel, what good they do amongst you, what manner of lives they live: these are the things that my eyes shall be upon, and which I shall regard.

Marginal references: Acts 19.21.; Acts 18.21. Rom. 15.32. Jam. 4.15.