The Kingdom of God in Power
D. Charles. 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. The kingdom of God is the substance and the order of the gospel, and of the gospel dispensation. 1. In a kingdom the subjects become connected with each other and with their king. Salvation connects man with man, and man with God. 2. In a kingdom there is strength. Many kingdoms are powerful, but this is more so than the whole of them. 3. The kingdom of God is not in word; it is not in "enticing words of man's wisdom." Words pertain to the kingdom, but they are not its power — words are the clothing; power is in the body where truth lies. Fallen angels are mighty and have possession of man's fallen nature; the angels must be subdued, and man must be changed. What words are adequate for such a performance? 4. The kingdom of God is not like the kingdom of men, where the power is in the voice of the people: here the power is in the king, and of the king. 5. The power of this kingdom is exercised in the people of God. A new nature is formed in them by an almighty power. The power that will raise the dead in the last day is now exercised in raising the spiritually dead into a life of holiness. The grace received is not in word, but in power: the man does not talk of repentance merely, but departs from iniquity: he does not speak of faith merely, but believes in Christ, and gives himself to Him. The power of the kingdom makes strong the weakest. 6. The power of the kingdom is engaged on behalf of the subjects. The power of their King was engaged for the subjects here on earth, when He stood as their surety. Out of the treasures of holiness in Christ the power of God draws when engaged in the sinner's sanctification. The might and the holiness of God are alike infinite. 7. The power of God is sovereign in its exercise. A greater degree of success attended the preaching of fishermen in one day, than had been produced by the ministry of Christ Himself in three years and a half. Paul had the same gifts in preaching in every place, but not the same success. 8. The power of the kingdom is exercised against the enemies of the Church, and it reduces the creation into order. Sin and Satan are the great authors of disorder, and this kingdom is opposed to them; and its power will bring down whatever will rise up against it. 9. It will be the power of the kingdom that will appear in the great day. The Lord Jesus Christ will "judge the quick and the dead, at His appearing and His kingdom." Thenceforth the very world of perdition will be in order: then the chief author of disorder will be reduced to eternal order. Not many words will be used on the occasion, but power. (D. Charles.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. WEB: For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.