MINISTERS OF CHRIST (υπηρετας Χριστου). Paul and all ministers (διακονους) of the New Covenant (1 Corinthians 3:5) are under-rowers, subordinate rowers of Christ, only here in Paul's Epistles, though in the Gospels (Luke 4:20 the attendant in the synagogue) and the Acts (Acts 13:5) of John Mark.... [ Continue Reading ]
HERE (ωδε). Either here on earth or in this matter. It is always local.MOREOVER (λοιπον). Like λοιπον in 1 Corinthians 1:16 which see, accusative of general reference, as for what is left, besides.IT IS REQUIRED (ζητειτα). It is sought. Many MSS. read ζητειτε, ye seek, an easy change as α and... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WITH ME (εμο δε). The ethical dative of personal relation and interest, "as I look at my own case." Cf. Philippians 1:21.IT IS A VERY SMALL THING (εις ελαχιστον εστιν). This predicate use of εις is like the Hebrew, but it occurs also in the papyri. The superlative ελαχιστον is elative, very... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I KNOW NOTHING AGAINST MYSELF (ουδεν γαρ εμαυτω συνοιδα). Not a statement of fact, but an hypothesis to show the unreliability of mere complacent self-satisfaction. Note the use of συνοιδα (second perfect active indicative with dative (disadvantage) of the reflexive pronoun) for guilty knowle... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE (ωστε). As in 1 Corinthians 3:21 which see.JUDGE NOTHING (μη τ κρινετε). Stop passing judgment, stop criticizing as they were doing. See the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1. The censorious habit was ruining the Corinthian Church.BEFORE THE TIME (προ καιρου). The day of the Lord in 1 C... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE IN A FIGURE TRANSFERRED (μετεσχηματισα). First aorist active (not perfect) indicative of μετα-σχηματιζω, used by Plato and Aristotle for changing the form of a thing (from μετα, after, and σχημα, form or habit, like Latin _habitus_ from εχω and so different from μορφη as in Philippians 2:7;... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKETH THEE TO DIFFER (σε διακρινε). Distinguishes thee, separates thee. Διακρινω means to sift or separate between (δια) as in Acts 15:9 (which see) where μεταξυ is added to make it plainer. All self-conceit rests on the notion of superiority of gifts and graces as if they were self-bestowed or... [ Continue Reading ]
ALREADY ARE YE FILLED? (ηδη κεκορεσμενο εστε?). Perfect passive indicative, state of completion, of κορεννυμ, old Greek verb to satiate, to satisfy. The only other example in N.T. is Acts 27:38 which see. Paul may refer to Deuteronomy 31:20; Deuteronomy 32:15. But it is keen irony, even sarcasm.... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH SET FORTH US THE APOSTLES LAST (ημας τους αποστολους εσχατους απεδειξεν). The first aorist active indicative of αποδεικνυμ, old verb to show, to expose to view or exhibit (Herodotus), in technical sense (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:4) for gladiatorial show as in εθηριομαχησα (1 Corinthians 15:32).... [ Continue Reading ]
WE--YOU (ημεισ--υμεις). Triple contrast in keenest ironical emphasis. "The three antitheses refer respectively to teaching, demeanour, and worldly position" (Robertson and Plummer). The apostles were fools for Christ's sake (2 Corinthians 4:11; Philippians 3:7). They made "union with Christ the b... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN UNTO THIS PRESENT HOUR (αχρ της αρτ ωρας). Αρτ (just now, this very minute) accents the continuity of the contrast as applied to Paul. Ten verbs and four participles from 1 Corinthians 4:11-13 give a graphic picture of Paul's condition in Ephesus when he is writing this epistle.WE HUNGER ... [ Continue Reading ]
WE TOIL (κοπιωμεν). Common late verb for weariness in toil (Luke 5:5),WORKING WITH OUR OWN HANDS (εργαζομενο ταις ιδιαις χερσιν) instrumental case χερσιν and not simply for himself but also for Aquila and Priscilla as he explains in Acts 20:34. This personal touch gives colour to the outline. Pa... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING DEFAMED WE INTREAT (δυσφημουμενο παρακαλουμεν). The participle δυσφημουμενο is an old verb (in I Macc. 7:41) to use ill, from δυσφημος, but occurs here only in the N.T. Paul is opening his very heart now after the keen irony above.AS THE FILTH OF THE WORLD (ως περικαθαρματα του κοσμου). Li... [ Continue Reading ]
TO SHAME YOU (εντρεπων). Literally, shaming you (present active participle of εντρεπω), old verb to turn one on himself either middle or with reflexive pronoun and active, but the reflexive εαυτοις is not expressed here. See on 2 Thessalonians 3:14. The harsh tone has suddenly changed.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO ADMONISH (νουθετων). Literally, admonishing (present active participle of νουθετεω). See on 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:14.FOR THOUGH YE SHOULD HAVE (εαν γαρ εχητε). Third-class condition undetermined, but with prospect of being determined (εαν and present subjunctive), "for if y... [ Continue Reading ]
BE YE IMITATORS OF ME (μιμητα μου γινεσθε). "Keep on becoming (present middle imperative) imitators of me (objective genitive)." Μιμητης is an old word from μιμεομα, to copy, to mimic (μιμος). Paul stands for his rights as their spiritual father against the pretensions of the Judaizers who have t... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE I SENT (επεμψα). First aorist active indicative. Probably Timothy had already gone as seems clear from 1 Corinthians 16:10. Apparently Timothy came back to Ephesus and was sent on to Macedonia before the uproar in Ephesus (Acts 19:22). Probably also Titus was then despatched to Corinth, also... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME ARE PUFFED UP (εφυσιωθησαν). First aorist (effective) passive indicative of φυσιοω which see on verse 1 Corinthians 4:6.AS THOUGH I WERE NOT COMING TO YOU (ως μη ερχομενου μου προς υμας). Genitive absolute with particle (assuming it as so) with μη as negative.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THE LORD WILL (εαν ο κυριος θεληση). Third-class condition. See James 1 Corinthians 4:15; Acts 18:21; 1 Corinthians 16:7 for the use of this phrase. It should represent one's constant attitude, though not always to be spoken aloud.BUT THE POWER (αλλα την δυναμιν). The puffed up Judaizers did... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH A ROD (εν ραβδω). The so-called instrumental use of εν like the Hebrew (1 Samuel 17:43). The shepherd leaned on his rod, staff, walking stick. The paedagogue had his rod also.SHALL I COME? (ελθω;). Deliberative subjunctive. Paul gives them the choice. They can have him as their spiritual f... [ Continue Reading ]