1 Corinthians 4:20 kjv — For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

King James Version

"For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power."

— 1 Corinthians 4:20, King James Version

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1 Corinthians 4:20 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

1 Corinthians 4 — Context

17

For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

18

Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

19

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

20

For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

21

What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

1 Corinthians 4:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Corinthians 4:20 say?
1 Corinthians 4:20 in the King James Version reads: “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”
Where is 1 Corinthians 4:20 in the Bible?
1 Corinthians 4:20 is found in the New Testament, in the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 4, verse 20.
Who wrote 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle. It was written c. AD 55.
What is the book of 1 Corinthians about?
Paul writes to a gifted but fractured church wrestling with divisions, sexual sin, lawsuits, marriage questions, food offered to idols, and disorder in worship. Through every issue he points back to the cross, the Spirit, and the resurrection — and gives us the church's greatest chapter on love.
What are the major themes of 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians explores themes including Unity, Cross, Spiritual Gifts, Love, Resurrection. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Corinthians 4:20.
What translation should I read 1 Corinthians 4:20 in?
1 Corinthians 4:20 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Corinthians 4:20?
1 Corinthians 4:20 reads (KJV): “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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