Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Corinthians 4:17

“For this reason” viz., to help you to imitate me as your father “I sent to you Timothy, who is a beloved child of mine, and faithful in the Lord”. Timothy had left P. before this letter was written, having been sent forward along with Erastus (possibly a Cor [767], Romans 16:23) to Macedonia (Acts 19:22), but with instructions, as it now appears, to go forward to Cor [768]; respecting his visit, see notes to 1 Corinthians 16:10 f. The Cor [769] had heard already (through Erastus?) of Timothy's coming; P. does not announce the fact, he explains it: “This is why I have sent. to you”; to the τέκνα ἀγαπητά (1 Corinthians 4:14) P. sends a τέκνον ἀγαπητόν (see Philippians 2:19-22), adding καὶ πιστὸν ἐν Κυρ., since it was a trusty agent, one “faithful in the Lord” in the sphere of Christian duty that the commission required. For ἐν Κυρίῳ, see parls., esp. Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7; πιστὸς τῷ Κυρίῳ (Acts 16:15) denotes a right relationship to Christ, πιστὸς ἐν Κυρίῳ includes responsibility for others. “Who will remind you of my ways, that are in Christ” (τὰς ὁδούς μου τὰς ἐν Χριστῷ); the adjunct is made a definition by the repeated art [770] ἀναμιμνήσκω with double acc [771], like ὑπομιμν. in John 14:26, combines our remind (a person) and recall (a thing). Paul's “ways” had been familiar in Cor [772] (cf. Acts 20:31-35; also 2 Corinthians 1:12 ff.), but seemed forgotten; the παιδαγωγοὶ had crowded out of mind the πατήρ. He means by ὁδοί μου habits of life to be copied (1 Corinthians 4:16) the ἀγωγὴ of 2 Timothy 3:10 f. not doctrines to be learnt; see further 1 Corinthians 9:19-27; 1 Corinthians 10:33 to 1 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Corinthians 6:4-10; 2 Corinthians 10:1. For ἐν Χριστῷ, see note on ἐν Χ. Ἰ., 1 Corinthians 1:2. In Paul's gentler qualities Tim. would strongly recall him to the Cor [773], by conduct even more than words. “According as” (not how) “I teach” in accordance with my teaching. Paul's ways and teaching are not the same thing; but the former are regulated by the latter; they will find the same consistency in Tim. “(As I teach) everywhere, in every Church:” the “ways” P. and Tim. observe, and to which the Cor [774] must be recalled, are those inculcated uniformly in the Gentile mission; see 1 Corinthians 1:2 (σὺν πᾶσι … ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ, and notes), also 1Co 11:16, 1 Corinthians 14:33.

[767] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[768] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[769] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[770] grammatical article.

[771] accusative case.

[772] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[773] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[774] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Corinthians 4:17

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