1 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 1 CORINTHIANS 4:1 MYSTERIES. Probably the gospel itself (see also Ephesians 6:19) and other truths God has revealed. See, e.g., Romans 11:25; 1 Corinthians 15:51; Ephesians 3:4, Ephesians 3:6. A “mystery” in Paul’s letters is something that people cannot understand unless God r... [ Continue Reading ]
1 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 1 CORINTHIANS 4:3 JUDGED BY YOU. Some Corinthians, perhaps followers of Apollos or Cephas, probably criticized Paul, especially his lack of eloquence (1 Corinthians 1:17; 1 Corinthians 2:3; 1 Corinthians 4:18; 2 Corinthians 10:9). They thought they could judge his spiritual eff... [ Continue Reading ]
1 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 1 CORINTHIANS 4:7 This set of rhetorical questions expresses the central theological truth the Corinthians seem to have forgotten: all their abilities, opportunities, and blessings are from God. They should not boast. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); fo... [ Continue Reading ]
1 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 1 CORINTHIANS 4:8 YOU HAVE BECOME KINGS. Paul speaks ironically of the Corinthians’ pride. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 1 CORINTHIANS 4:9 EXHIBITED... LIKE MEN SENTENCED TO DEATH. Paul probably refers to the Roman triumphal processions, in which captured enemy soldiers were paraded through the streets before being publicly executed. Or he may be thinking of gladiators condemned to die in an aren... [ Continue Reading ]
1 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 1 CORINTHIANS 4:10 WE ARE FOOLS FOR CHRIST’S SAKE. Measured by the Corinthians’ “royal” standards (v. 1 Corinthians 4:8), Paul’s apostolic calling has involved foolishness, weakness, and suffering. See 2 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:7; 2 Corinthians 11:22;... [ Continue Reading ]
1 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 1 CORINTHIANS 4:15 COUNTLESS GUIDES. Apollos and Cephas, among others. FATHER. See v. 1 Corinthians 4:17; Galatians 4:19; 1 Thessalonians 2:7, 1 Thessalonians 2:11; Philemon 1:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
1 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 1 CORINTHIANS 4:19 I WILL FIND OUT... THEIR POWER. Apparently Paul expected the Holy Spirit to discipline those harming the church (see Acts 5:1; Acts 13:9; 2 Corinthians 10:3). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var [ Continue Reading ]
1 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 1 CORINTHIANS 4:20 On the KINGDOM OF GOD, see note on Matt. 3:2. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 1 CORINTHIANS 4:21 ROD. A thin stick used for discipline. Paul speaks metaphorically of the church discipline he describes in 1 Corinthians 5:3. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]