INTRODUCTION TO 1 CORINTHIANS 4 The chief heads of this chapter are the account that ought to be had of the ministers of the Gospel; cautions against censoriousness, rash judgment, pride, and self-conceit; the uncomfortable circumstances and situation of the ministers of the Gospel for the sake of... [ Continue Reading ]
LET A MAN SO ACCOUNT OF US,.... Though the apostle had before said that he, and other ministers of the Gospel, were not any thing with respect to God, and, with regard to the churches, were theirs, for their use and advantage; yet they were not to be trampled upon, and treated with contempt, but to... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER, IT IS REQUIRED IN STEWARDS,.... Upon mentioning that part of the character of Gospel preachers, as stewards, the apostle is put in mind of, and so points out that which is principally necessary in such persons: as, THAT A MAN BE FOUND FAITHFUL; to the trust reposed in him; to his Lord and... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WITH ME IT IS A VERY SMALL THING,.... It stood for little or nothing, was of no account with him, what judgment and censures were passed on him by men with regard to his faithfulness in the ministry not even by the Corinthians themselves: THAT I SHOULD BE JUDGED OF YOU; not that the apostle dec... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I KNOW NOTHING BY MYSELF,.... Which must be understood with a restriction to the subject he is upon, faithfulness in the ministry; otherwise he knew much by himself of indwelling sin, and the corruption of his nature, which he sometimes found very strong and prevalent in him, and of the daily in... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE JUDGE NOTHING BEFORE THE TIME,.... This is said to prevent rash and precipitate judgment, and agrees with that well know Jewish maxim, הוו מתונין בדין, "be slow in judgment" s; not hasty to pass sentence; it is best to leave things to the great day of account, than to be free in censuring... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THESE THINGS, BRETHREN, I HAVE IN A FIGURE TRANSFERRED,.... Not what he had said concerning the different factions at Corinth, one being for Paul, and another for Apollos, and another for Cephas, as if these several parties did not really go by those names, but by those of others, the false teac... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHO MAKETH THEE TO DIFFER FROM ANOTHER,.... This question, and the following, are put to the members of this church, who were glorying in, and boasting of the ministers under whom they were converted, and by whom they were baptized, to the neglect and contempt of others; when the apostle would h... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW YE ARE FULL,.... That is, in their own opinion: these words, and some following expressions, are an ironical concession. They were not full of God, and divine things; nor of Christ, and of grace out of his fulness; nor of the Holy Ghost, and of faith, as Stephen and Barnabas are said to be; nor... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I THINK THAT GOD HATH SET FORTH US THE APOSTLES LAST,.... Meaning either in time, in respect to the prophets and patriarchs under the former dispensation; and to the apostles, who were sent forth by Christ when on earth; when he, and Barnabas, and others, had received their mission since his asc... [ Continue Reading ]
WE ARE FOOLS FOR CHRIST'S SAKE,.... They were so in the esteem of men, for their close attach merit to a crucified Christ; and for preaching the doctrine of salvation by him; and for enduring so much reproach, affliction, and persecution, for his sake and the Gospel's: BUT YE ARE WISE IN CHRIST. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN UNTO THIS PRESENT HOUR,.... What is about to be related was not what befell the apostles now and then, and a great while ago; but what for a considerable time, and unto the present time, was more or less the common constant series and course of life they were inured to: WE BOTH HUNGER, AND THI... [ Continue Reading ]
AND LABOUR, WORKING WITH OUR OWN HANDS,.... As the apostle did at Corinth, Acts 18:3 and elsewhere; partly to minister to his own necessities, and those of others; and partly that he might not be burdensome to the churches; and also to set an example of diligence and industry to others; though he ha... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING DEFAMED, WE ENTREAT,.... Being blasphemed, as the word signifies, being evil spoken of, our good name taken away, and characters hurt; we entreat or pray to God for them, that he would convince them of their evil, give them repentance unto life, and remission of their sins, according to Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
I WRITE NOT THESE THINGS TO SHAME YOU,.... Though they had a great deal of reason to be ashamed of the vain opinion they had of themselves, and that they suffered the faithful ministers of Christ to want the necessaries of life, when they abounded so much with the good things of it; and though the a... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOUGH YE HAVE TEN THOUSAND INSTRUCTORS IN CHRIST,.... Or "schoolmasters"; by whom he means the false teachers, whom, for argument sake, he admits to be instructors in Christ, or ministers of his, as in 2 Corinthians 11:23 and who were many, and of whose number the Corinthians boasted; though th... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE, I BESEECH YOU,.... Though he might have used the power and authority of a father, yet he chose rather to entreat and beseech them; saying, BE YE FOLLOWERS OF ME; for who should children follow, but their parents? The Vulgate Latin, adds, "as I am of Christ"; so Chrysostom in his time rea... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS CAUSE HAVE I SENT UNTO YOU TIMOTHEUS,.... This is an instance of his care of them, concern for them and respect unto them; that he not only writes unto them, giving his best advice and counsel, promising to come unto them; but in the mean while sends Timothy to them, whose character is here... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW SOME ARE PUFFED UP,.... Some with their gifts, learning, and eloquence, and with the high station they were in, in the church; believing they should continue therein undisturbed, thinking them selves safe and secure through the absence of the apostle, and which they flattered themselves would al... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I WILL COME TO YOU SHORTLY,.... This he said as threatening them, but not by way of prophecy; for it is not certain that he ever did come to them after this; but by way of promise, as it was then the real intention, inclination, and resolution of his mind, though with this condition, IF THE LOR... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD,.... By "the kingdom of God" is not meant the kingdom of heaven, or the ultimate glory and happiness of the saints; though that is a kingdom prepared by God, which he gives to his children, calls them to by his grace, and will give them an abundant entrance into, when time sha... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT WILL YE?.... Or "how will ye, that I should come unto you?" as the Arabic and Ethiopic versions read it: since the apostle had determined upon his coming to them: and had made mention of it, he puts it to them, in what manner they themselves would choose he should come unto them; SHALL I COME... [ Continue Reading ]