1.
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Verse 1
So account of us, &c.; regard us not as masters and leaders of different sects, but simply as the servants of Christ.--Stewards of the mysteries. Stewards are person intrusted with a charge. The apostles were stewards of the mysteries of God, inasmuch as they were intrusted with the charge of divine truth, which had been a mastery, having been, till then, withheld from mankind.
2.
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
3.
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
4.
For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
Verse 4
Know nothing; am conscious of nothing, that is, or no want of faithfulness and integrity. This meaning the connection of the passage seems to require.
5.
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Verse 5
The counsels of the hearts; their secret characters and designs.--Praise of God; if deserved. The meaning is, that God will then pronounce a just sentence upon every man, according to his true character, as it shall then appear.
6.
And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
Verse 6
I have in a figure transferred to myself, and to Apollos. The meaning is, that he had spoken particularly of himself and of Apollos in his remarks upon the manner in which they ought to regard their religious teachers, (1 Corinthians 3:21-5); but he intended the instructions which he had given to be of general application.--In us; as examples.
7.
For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
8.
Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
Verse 8
Now ye are full,&c.; in your own ideas and estimation--I would to God ye did reign; in reality and truth; that is, that their spiritual condition was as elevated and prosperous as they imagined. In this and the verses which follow, (1 Corinthians 4:8-13,) the apostle contrasts the condition of spiritual ease and satisfaction which some of the vain and self-conceited teachers of the Corinthian church appeared to enjoy, with the toils and hardships, and the humble self-denial, which characterized the lives of the true and devoted servants of Jesus.
9.
For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
10.
We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
Verse 10
We are fools; are willing to be so esteemed.--Ye are wise; esteem yourselves wise.
11.
Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
12.
And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
13.
Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
14.
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
15.
For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
Verse 15
1 have begotten you. Paul first preached the gospel in Corinth, and founded the church there, as has already been explained.
16.
Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
Verse 16
Wherefore; on account of the peculiar relation which he sustained to the church as its spiritual father. We observe that the apostle does not rest his claim to be heard on his holding over them any official supremacy.--Be ye followers of me; that is, in attending to and obeying these instructions.
17.
For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
Verse 17
Timotheus. The first account of Timothy is given in Acts 16:1-3. He had been at Corinth with Paul on his first visit there. (Acts 18:5.) When this letter was, written, he was at Ephesus with Paul, as appears from the account in Acts 19:21,Acts 19:22, whence it is stated that Paul sent him forward to Macedonia, with directions, probably, as is here implied, to go on to Corinth. Still, as appears from another expression in this Epistle, (1 Corinthians 16:10,) it was not quite certain that he would reach Corinth.
18.
Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
Verse 18
Puffed up; with pride and self-importance, assuming an undue influence and authority.
19.
But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
20.
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
Verse 20
In word;
21.
What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
With a rod; with severe reproof.