1 Corinthians 4:6

Now these things, brethren,. have in. figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other.

'Now these things'. 'I have taken Apollos and myself as examples of these things.' (Bas) 'These things', probably referring to all that has been written from 1 Corinthians 1:10, 1 Corinthians 1:10 to this point. Especially the folly of factions and elevating one inspired man above another.

'I have in. figure transferred to myself and Apollos' -'I have used myself and Apollos above as an illustration.' (Phi)

'for your sakes' -'that you may profit by it.' (Nor) That they would learn how to act.

'Paul ought to be speaking about the church or parties in Corinth. Instead of censuring them or saying positively how they should behave towards one another, he shows what the true attitude of Christians should be from the example of himself and Apollos...he has chosen to use himself and Apollos as examples instead of specifically mentioning the troublemakers in Corinth.' [Note:. Willis pp. 136-137]

Instead of using the names of the specific members behind the "Paul party" and "Apollos party", Paul was able to say the things which needed to be said, using Apollos' and his own name.

'There was always. wonderful courtesy of Paul. He had. way of including himself in his own warnings and his own condemnations. The true preacher seldom uses the word 'you' and always uses the word 'we'; he does not speak, as from above, down to men; he speaks as from amidst them..' [Note:. Barclay p. 43]

Right here Paul tells the Corinthians, 'Just in case you've missed my whole point in the last three Chapter s..just in case you didn't think things were too serious, seeing that. hadn't mentioned any names yet...my whole point in the illustrations used between myself and Apollos was to teach you to realize how foolish you have been acting..You see, Apollos and. aren't the ones with the problem!'

'that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written' -'from our example, you may learn to observe the precept--Keep to what is written.' (TCNT)

Points to Note:

1. Some view the phrase "not to go beyond the things which are written", as. well-known slogan that Paul had introduced in Corinth:

'"Not beyond what is written!", or "Keep to the book!"--not, probably,. current proverb, but. saying well known in the Corinthian church, where some were disposed to go beyond the gospel of Christ...and to add to it elements more in accordance with secular wisdom.' (F.F. Bruce pp. 48-49)

Including the element of following the Apostles and other inspired men, as the world followed and fought over philosophers.

2. The phrase is. Bible Principle: Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18

Hence some see Paul as simply stating. Bible truth in general terms. 'The impersonal it is written is commonly used of Old-Testament references.' (Vincent p. 205)

3. McGuiggan feels that it also could simply mean, 'But it may be no more than what Paul has just written. He may simply be saying: "Now you have something definitive about the status of preachers. Stick with that and say within it."' (p. 56) Which really is the same principle as stated above.

4. In the context, not going beyond what is written,('that you may learn..the meaning of the saying, Do not go beyond what is written.'NIV), would mean not boasting in man (1 Corinthians 1:29), and not being caught up with the "wise" that God has ensnared (1 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Corinthians 3:19-20); and especially not elevating inspired men above each other. (1 Corinthians 3:4-9)

'that' -'in order that' (NASV) 'He would have the Corinthians avoid pride and partisanship' (Erdman p. 57)

'puffed up' -5448. phusioo foo-see-o'-o; from 5449 in the primary sense of blowing; to inflate, i.e. (figuratively) make proud (haughty): -puff up.

-similar to our idiom from balloons, "filled with hot air". (Fee p. 169) Used only by Paul in Corinthians and Colossians. 'So you may not be arrogant champions of one teacher against another.' (Wey)

'In this letter Paul repeatedly uses the verb to be puffed up (1 Corinthians 4:18-19; 1 Corinthians 5:2; 1 Corinthians 8:1; 1 Corinthians 13:4)..of attitudes or activities which smack of human pride..' (F.F. Bruce p. 49)

'Taking sides of boasted rivalry, exalting one teacher to the disparagement of another. Such an exaltation of their teachers was, in their case, not an act of loyalty or of grateful homage; it was. gratification of their pride. The party divisions were ministering to their vanity.' [Note:. Erdman pp. 57-58]

'for the one against the other' -'in behalf of one against the other.' (NASV); 'in favor of..'(Wms)

Here we see that "I am of Paul..Apollos..Peter", meant that "Paul is much better than Apollos..etc.." Man seems convinced that he must always make everything into. competition. (Matthew 20:21)