Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Corinthians 10:33

1 Corinthians 10:33; 1 Corinthians 11:1. Paul's personal example played a large part in his argument (1 Corinthians 10:9); it is fitting he should refer to it in summing up. The negative ἀπρόσκοποι γίνεσθε, in 2nd person, now becomes the positive ἐγὼ πάντα πᾶσιν ἀρέσκω in the 1st: “As I also in all things please all.” ἀρέσκω is to comply with, accommodate oneself to, not give enjoyment to (cf. Romans 15:1; Romans 15:3) no need to speak of a “conative present,” resembling ζητῶ ἀρέσκειν, Paul's universal compliance is qualified by its purpose, ἵνα σωθῶσιν, in the light of which the verbal contradiction with Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4, is removed; there is nothing in his power that P. will not do for any man, to help his salvation (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:22 b). Between the ἀρέσκω and its purpose lies the μὴ ζητῶν clause, in which the Ap. professes for himself the rule commended to the Cor [1589] in 1 Corinthians 10:27. The “self-advantage” which P. sets aside, touches his highest welfare (cf. Romans 9:3); P. sacrificed what seemed to be his spiritual as well as material gain spending, e.g., weary hours in tent-making that might have been given to pious study to secure spiritual gain for others; thus “losing himself,” he “found himself unto life eternal.” “The many,” in contrast with the single self; cf. 1 Corinthians 10:17; Romans 5:15 ff. Through his own pattern P. points the readers to that of his Master and theirs: “Show yourselves (γίνεσθε, see 32, 1 Corinthians 7:23) imitators of me, as I also (am) of Christ”. P. does not point his readers backward to the historical model (“of Jesus,” or “Jesus Christ,” as in Ephesians 4:21), but upward to the actual “Christ,” whose existence is evermore devoted to God (Romans 6:10 f.) and to men His brethren (Romans 8:34 f., 1 Corinthians 1:30), “in” whom the Cor [1590] believers “are” (1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 1:30). Paul's imitatio Christi turns on the great acts of Christ's redeeming work (Ephesians 5:2; Philippians 2:5-11), rather than on the incidents of His earthly course.

[1589] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[1590] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Corinthians 10:33

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