1 Corinthians 4:10

represents the contrasted case of the App. and the Cor [726] Christians, as they appear in the estimate of the two parties. “We” are μωροί, ἀσθενεῖς, ἄτιμοι (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:18-27; 1 Corinthians 3:18, and notes; with 1 Corinthians 2:3, for ἀσθ.); “you,” φρόνιμοι, ἰσχυροί, ἔνδοξοι the last adj [727] in heightened contrast to ἄτιμοι; not merely honoured (ἔντιμοι, Philippians 2:29), but glorious P. reflects on the relatively “splendid” (Luke 7:25) worldly condition of the Cor [728] as compared with his own. μωροὶ διὰ Χριστόν, “fools because of Christ” (cf. Matthew 5:11) who makes us so, sends us with a “foolish” message (1 Corinthians 1:23). Distinguish διά (1 Corinthians 9:23; 2 Corinthians 4:11, etc.) from ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ, which means “on Christ's behalf,” as representing Him (2 Corinthians 5:20, etc.). The Ap. does not call the Cor [729] σοφοί (see 1 Corinthians 3:18), but, with a fine discrimination, φρόνιμοι ἐν Χριστῷ (prudentes in Christo); he appeals to them as such in 1 Corinthians 10:15; 2 Corinthians 11:19 the epithet was one they affected; writing at Cor [730], he is perhaps thinking of them in Romans 11:25; Romans 12:16. The φρόνιμος is the man of sense no fanatic, rushing to extremes and affronting the world needlessly: this Church is on dangerously good terms with the world (1 Corinthians 8:10; 1 Corinthians 10:14-33, cf. 2 Corinthians 6:14 to 2 Corinthians 7:1); see Introd., pp. 731 f.; “Christum et prudentiam carnis miscere vellent” (Cv [731]). They deem themselves “strong” in contrast with the “feeble in faith” (Romans 14:1), with whom P. associates himself (1 Corinthians 9:22, etc.), able to “use the world” (1 Corinthians 7:31) and not hampered by weak-minded scruples (1 Corinthians 6:12 1 Corinthians 10:23; 1 Corinthians 10:8; see note on 1 Corinthians 3:22). In the third clause P. reverses the order of prons. (you … we), returning to the description of his own mode of life. The ἀγενής (1 Corinthians 1:28) is without the birth qualifying for public respect, the ἄτιμος (see parls.) is one actually deprived of respect in cl [732] Gr [733], disfranchised.

[726] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[727] adjective.

[728] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[729] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[730] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[731] Calvin's In Nov. Testamentum Commentarii.

[732] classical.

[733] Greek, or Grotius' Annotationes in N.T.