This chapter is a continuation of the subject discussed in those which go before, and of the argument which closes the last chapter. The proper division would have been at 1 Corinthians 4:6. The design of the first six verses is to show the real estimate in which the apostles ought to be held as the... [ Continue Reading ]
LET A MAN - Let all; let this be the estimate formed of us by each one of you. SO ACCOUNT OF US - So think of us, the apostles. AS THE MINISTERS OF CHRIST - As the servants of Christ. Let them form a true estimate of us and our office - not as the head of a faction; not as designing to form partie... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER ... - The fidelity required of stewards seems to be adverted to here, in order to show that the apostles acted from a higher principle than a desire to please man, or to be regarded as at the head of a party; and they ought so to esteem them as bound, like all stewards, to be faithful to th... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WITH ME - In my estimate; in regard to myself. That is, I esteem it a matter of no concern. Since I am responsible as a steward to my master only, it is a matter of small concern what men think of me, provided I have his approbation. Paul was not insensible to the good opinion of people. He did... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I KNOW NOTHING BY MYSELF - There is evidently here an ellipsis to be supplied, and it is well supplied by Grotius, Rosenmuller, Calvin, etc. “I am not conscious of evil, or unfaithfulness to myself; that is, in my ministerial life.” It is well remarked by Calvin, that Paul does not here refer to... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE - Inview of the danger of being deceived in your judgment, and the impossibility of certainly knowing the failings of the heart. JUDGE NOTHING - Pass no decided opinion; see the note at Matthew 7:1. The apostle here takes occasion to inculcate on them an important lesson - one of the lead... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THESE THINGS - The things which I have written respecting religious teachers 1 Corinthians 2:5, 1 Corinthians 2:12, and the impropriety of forming sects called after their names. I HAVE IN A FIGURE TRANSFERRED TO MYSELF AND APOLLOS - The word used here μετεσχημάτισα meteschēmatisa denotes, pro... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHO MAKETH ... - This verse contains a reason for what Paul had just said; and the reason is, that all that any of them possessed had been derived from God, and no endowments whatever, which they had, could be laid as the foundation for self-congratulation and boasting. The apostle here doubtles... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW YE ARE FULL - It is generally agreed that this is spoken in irony, and that it is an indignant sarcasm uttered against the false and self-confident teachers in Corinth. The design is to contrast them with the apostles; to show how self-confident and vain the false teachers were, and how laboriou... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I THINK - It seems to me. Grotius thinks that this is to be taken ironically, as if he had said, “It seems then that God has designed that we, the apostles, should be subject to contempt and suffering; and be made poor and persecuted, while you are admitted to high honors and privileges.” But pr... [ Continue Reading ]
WE ARE FOOLS - This is evidently ironical. “We are doubtless foolish people, but ye are wise in Christ. We, Paul, Apollos, and Barnabas, have no claims to the character of wise men - we are to be regarded as fools, unworthy of confidence, and unfit to instruct; but you are full of wisdom.” FOR CHRI... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN UNTO THIS PRESENT HOUR - Paul here drops the irony, and begins a serious recapitulation of his actual sufferings and trials. The phrase used here “unto this present hour” denotes that these things had been incessant through all their ministry. They were not merely at the commencement of their w... [ Continue Reading ]
AND LABOUR ... - This Paul often did. See the note at Acts 18:3; compare Acts 20:34; 1Th 2:9. 2 Thessalonians 3:8. BEING REVILED - That they were often reviled or reproached, their history everywhere shows. See the Acts of the Apostles. They were reviled or ridiculed as Jews by the Gentiles; and je... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING DEFAMED - Greek, Blasphemed, that is, spoken of and to, in a harsh, abusive, and reproachful manner. The original and proper meaning of the word is to speak in a reproachful manner of anyone, whether of God or man. It is usually applied to God, but it may also be used of people. WE ENTREAT -... [ Continue Reading ]
TO SHAME YOU - It is not my design to put you to shame by showing you how little you suffer in comparison with us. This is not our design, though it may have this effect. I have no wish to make you ashamed, to appear to triumph over you or merely to taunt you. My design is higher and nobler than thi... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOUGH YE HAVE TEN THOUSAND INSTRUCTORS - Though you may have or though you should have. It matters not how many you have, yet it is still true that I only sustain the relation to you of spiritual father, and whatever respect it is proper for you to have toward them, yet there is a special right... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE - Since I am your spiritual father. BE YE FOLLOWERS OF ME - Imitate me; copy my example; listen to my admonitions. Probably Paul had particularly in his eye their tendency to form parties; and here admonishes them that he had no disposition to form sects, and entreats them in this to imit... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS CAUSE - In order to remind you of my doctrines and my manner of life. Since I am hindered from coming myself, I have sent a fellow laborer as my messenger, well acquainted with my views and feelings, that he might do what I would do if I were present. HAVE I SENT UNTO YOU TIMOTHEUS - Timoth... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW SOME ARE PUFFED UP - They are puffed up with a vain confidence; they say that I would not dare to come; that I would be afraid to appear among them, to administer discipline, to rebuke them, or to supersede their authority. Probably he had been detained by the demand on his services in other pla... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I WILL COME - It is from no fear of them that I am kept away; and to convince them of this I will come to them speedily. IF THE LORD WILL - If the Lord permit; if by his providence he allows me to go. Paul regarded the entering on a journey as dependent on the will of God; and felt that God had... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD - The reign of God in the church (see the note at Matthew 3:2); meaning here, probably, the power or authority which was to be exercised in the government and discipline of the church. Or it may refer to the manner in which the church had been established. “It has not been set... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT WILL YE - It depends on yourselves how I shall come. If you lay aside your contentions and strifes; if you administer discipline as you should; if you give yourselves heartily and entirely to the work of the Lord, I shall come, not to reprove or to punish, but as a father and a friend. But if y... [ Continue Reading ]