1 Corinthians 4

Notes on the verses

Chap. IV. Ver. 1. Stewards—See (Matthew 24:45), &c.; and compare (1 Corinthians 3:5, 22).
Ver. 3. I judge not mine own self, &c.—This seems to oppose what the apostle says, ch. xi. 31, and therefore requires explanation. The term judge, in Scripture, has various acceptations; and sv has the Greek particle (alla,) here rendered yea. After attentively examining Doddridge, Macknight, and others, the Editor begs leave to suggest the following, which differs little from our authorized version: ‘It is a small thing for me to be judged of you, or, &c. because, or since, (alla,) I judge not myself; i. e. I cannot convict myself of any fault.”
Ver. 4. [know nothing by myself.—Parkhurst, (in Suneideo,) ‘I am not conscious to myself of any thing [evil],”’ i.e. in his conduct towards them. -The celebrated Mr. Shepherd, when on his death-bed, said to some young ministers who had come to see him, ‘Your work is great, and calls for great seriousness.” With respect to himself, he told these three things: First, That the studying of his sermons very frequently cost him tears. Second, Before he preached any sermon to others, he [proved] good by it himself. And, thirdly, That he always went to the pulpit, as if he were immediately after to render an account to his Master.
Ver. 5. Then shall every man—Doddridge, ‘‘every one’—have praise of God—i. e. every wise and faithful steward. Compare verse 2 with (Matthew 24:45-46).
Ver. 6. These things…. I have in a figure transferred to myself, &c.—Locke and others have inferred from hence, that not St. Paul and Apollos, but some other persons were set up among the Corinthians for heads of assertion for whose names the apostle substituted his own, and that of most intimate friend; but the learned and judicious Witsius well observes, that it is probable their names were used among some others omitted; and the figure was only this, that the names of St. Paul and Apollos were used to signify themselves, and any others so extolled: and when the apostle would say how little ministers were in themselves, he chose, out of humility and prudence, to be received in the spirit of love and meekness.