1 Corinthians 4

1. The Apostle teacheth for what the teachers of the Church must be accounted, and what is required of them, 5 Regards little the judgment of men, and shows by his example that they shall principally give an account of their ministry before God. 6 Exhorts not only the teachers, but also all believers, to a modest opinion of themselves, 7 Seeing not they themselves, but God by his gifts makes them to differ. 8 Puts a difference between the great opinion they had of themselves, and the low and miserable estate of the last Apostles in this world, 14 that by this comparison they might also have a meaner conceit of themselves. 17 declareth that he also sends Timothy to them for that end. 18 again reprehends their loftiness, and threatens them with his coming, 20 that they might in time reprove the evil from among them, and escape the rod.

1. Let (every) man so account of us as Ministers of Christ, and distributors [Gr. Oiconomous, i.e. providers for the house, or dispensers of Gods house, namely, in distributing and administering of his Word and Sacraments, 1 Cor. 2. 7. See of this word Luke 16:1.] of the mysteries of God.

2. And further it is required in distributors that each be found faithful, [Namely, go not beyond his charge herein, or come short of it, Hebrews 3:5.]

3. But it is to me the least that I should be judged of you, or of a human judgment, [Gr. A human day: a phrase taken from ordinary judgments, in which count is kept on certain set days to judge that which falls out. Not that one Prophet also might not judge of another, for he commands the contrary, 1 Corinthians 14:29. but he speaks of such a judgment as shall be noted in the following words. And Paul hath here respect especially to the last day, when all things shall be judged according as they ought, Matthew 25:14. & c. Luke 19:12.] yea, neither do I judge myself. [that is, not to be understood of a judgment of trying of ourselves whether we be in the faith, and in what terms we stand with God, 1 Corinthians 11:28. and 2 Cor. 13. 5. but of a judgment whereby any one lifts up and praiseth himself above another in his ministry, or puts himself below another, and dispraiseth himself; as this is here reproved in some, that one exalted Paul above Peter, & c. and the other again set Peter or Apollo, & c. above him. This is it which he here submits to Gods judgment, seeing men oftentimes herein judge out of affections, as that which follows also sets forth.]

4. For I am conscious of nothing [Namely, as concerning the faithful administration of mine Apostleship: therein I have a good conscience, for hereof only the Apostle speaks] to my self: yet am I not thereby justified: [namely, before God, or in Gods judgment, as David also speaks, Psalms 143:2. and Paul , Galatians 2:16. For it is one thing to have a good conscience in ones actions before God, for his own comfort, 1 John 3:21. and another thing by his actions to be justified before God. The first shows diligence and sincerity of his actions, which David also testifies often times in his Psalms, the other a perfection without defects, which Paul, even as David also, found yet in himself, Psalms 19:13. Philippians 3:12, 13. & c.] but he that judgeth me [namely, as a supreme judge, not only in the outward matter of my ministry, but also of my conscience, whereof the Lord Christ only is the judge, who shall indeed judge thereof at the last day, as the following verse declares] is the Lord.

5. Therefore judge nothing before the time [Namely, of judgment, in which Christ shall also bring to light the secret matters of conscience, Romans 2:16.] until the Lord shall be come, who shall also bring to light that which is hidden in darkness, [Gr. The hidden things of darkness] and make manifest the counsels of the hearts. [that is, with what uprightness and to what end every one shall have performed his actions in his ministry. Whereby he seems to reprove those who indeed preach the Gospel, but more for their own honour or for favour of men, than for Gods glory, and out of a desire of men’s salvation] and then shall every one have praise of God. [that is, not only a public testimony of his well-doing, but also a reward, Romans 2:6. 2 Corinthians 5:10.]

6. And these things [Some understand hereby that which the Apostle said before of the faults and pride of some teachers, and that he reproved them in his own and Apollo’s person, without expressing their names, to spare them: but seeing many things are spoken heretofore in the person of Paul, Cephas and Apollo, which cannot be applied to such teachers , and also that Paul is not want to take the faults of such upon him to spare them, but much rather to oppose his example unto such, to give the church warning of them; therefore this may altogether as conveniently be understood of the faults of the church itself, who made such difference among the faithful teachers and Apostles, whereby these divisions were occasioned, without all the teachers being guilty thereof: and declares that in his own and Apollo’s person he had showed them what esteem they ought to have of their teachers whosoever they be, namely, only as ministers of Christ, who directed them to Christ, and to the true unity in Christ, and not to themselves to make a particular faction] Brethren, I have applied by similitude to myself and Apollo, for your sakes: [that is, lightly to instruct you how you must carry yourselves in respect of your teachers, and in what esteem you must have them] that you might learn in us, not to think [namely, neither of your teachers, nor of yourselves who are instructed by them] above that which is written,[namely, throughout in the word of God, which every where commends humility and unity to us. Or above that which was written unto you by us heretofore] that ye be not the one for another’s sake puffed up against the other.[that is, one member of the Church against another, because he was brought to Christ by this or that teacher and by his ministry was made partaker of such or such gifts for the edification of the church of Christ.]

7. For who differenceth thee? [Namely, whether thou be a teacher which excellest others in gifts, or whether thou be a member of the Church, who by this or that teacher, art brought to faith in Christ and other spiritual gifts. It is therefore God in Christ (he would say) who by his grace differenceth thee from another, not the teacher, not ye yourselves. For although Paul plants, Apollo moistneth, yet it is God alone which giveth the increase, 1 Corinthians 3:6.] And what hast thou that thou hast not received ? and if thou hast also received it, why dost thou boast as if thou hadst received it?

8. Ye are satisfied already [That is, you imagine to yourselves that you are now altogether happy, and that you have now no more want in spiritual gifts, but that you have obtained to perfection in all things, and excel all others as a King in his kingdom, which the Apostle speaks by way of upbraiding, to exhort them afterwards by his example, and the consideration of his miserable estate, unto humility. See the like Revel. 3. 17.] ye are already become rich: ye have reigned without us , [that is, without our having had any part, in your dominion, or imagination of dominion, rest, and prosperity] and oh that ye did reign, [namely indeed and in truth] that we might reign with you. [this he saith because anyone that loveth another, is glad of it when it goeth well with him, and when he prospers in all things, and esteems such a ones happiness as his own.]

9. For I think [Here he begins for a warning to propound his and the other Apostles example, to bring them to a suspicion, and a lowly esteem of themselves & of their condition, and to exhort them much rather to suffering , than boasting] that God hath set us who are the last Apostles [That is, who are last called since Christ’s ascension, as Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Apollo, Timotheus, and the like, who were therefore through dis-esteem by some called the last Apostles. See of this name Romans 16:7. 2 Corinthians 8:23.] for a spectacle [or, brought us forth. Paul here alludes to the custom of the heathen, who brought forth malefactors into the public Theaters, to cast them before the wild beasts for the recreation for the others, or to cause them to fight against those beasts even unto death : which was also oftentimes done by them to the Christians. See 1 Corinthians 15:32.] as it were condemned to death, so we are become a spectacle to the world,[that is, to the reasonable creatures in the world , which he divides into Angels and men; whereof the good Angels and good men were witnesses of their suffering, and had compassion on them; and the evil Angels and men took also a delight in it, as in the Theaters were found all manner of people and judgements] and to the Angels, and to men.

10. We (are) foolish for Christ’s sake, [that is, esteemed fools by the world] but ye are wise in Christ, [namely, according to your thinking and imagination] we are weak but ye (are) strong: ye are glorious, but we despised.

11. Even unto this present hour we suffer hunger, and we suffer thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no fixed dwelling place.

12. And labour, working with our own hands, [See an example hereof in Paul, Acts 18:3. 1Cor. 9 6.] we reviled, and we bless: we are persecuted and we bear it.

13. We are reproached and we intreat, we are become as the cleansings-out of the world, [That is, where we come, worldly men seek to be rid of us, and cast us out as filth and scrapings-off, or else as accursed men; as the Greek word Katharma is also taken. See Lam. 3. ver. 45.] (and) the scraping-off of all things even until now. [that is, not once or twice but continually even until now.]

14. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I admonish (you) [Namely, to bring you to consideration and reformation of these faults.]

15. For although ye had ten thousand schoolmasters in Christ, [Gr. Paidagogous, i.e. Schoolmasters or tutors: namely, who further instruct you in the things of Christ, after that ye are begotten by me by the gospel of Christ. And this the Apostle saith because a Father instructs his children with greater affection and truer love then a tutor doth. See 2cor. 11. 20.] yet (ye have) not many Fathers. For in Christ Jesus I have begotten you [or, gotten, engendered, i.e. first brought to the faith: for the preaching of the Gospel is the means, whereby we are regenerated by the spirit of God, Philem. Ver. 10. 1 Peter 1:23.] through the Gospel.

16. I exhort you therefore be imitators of me. [Namely, in humility, peaceableness, patience, simplicity, etc.]

17. Therefore I have sent Timothy unto you, who is my dear and faithful son in the Lord, [Namely, not only because I have begotten him to Christ by the Gospel, but also because as a true Son he follows my footsteps in all things, 1 Tim. 1. 2. and chapter 4. 6.] who shall put you in remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, [that is, of my walking in my life, Psalm 1, 1, 6. and of my manner of doing, in setting forth the Gospel of Christ with all uprightness and simplicity, as he presently subjoyness] like as I teach every where in all churches.

18. But some are puffed up [This he saith, not only of some teachers, who by reason of some outward eloquence had a very high conceit of themselves, and despised Pauls simplicity: but also of some members, who being instructed by them, accounted themselves great masters, although they wanted much as yet, and despised others in comparison of themselves, as is declared in the following verses] as if I would not come unto you. [namely, to reform such faults, and to punish them according as they deserve.]

19. But I will come unto you speedily if the Lord will; and I will (then) understand, not the words [That is boasting of the eloquence, or of knowledge in spiritual things] of them that are puffed up, but the power. [namely, which they indeed show forth in faith, love and other Christian virtues or gifts, which God’s Spirit powerfully works, 1 John 3:18.]

20. For the Kingdom of God [That is, the State of a Christian-man or child of God, in whom God sets up his kingdom, Romans 14:17.] (consisteth) not in words but in power.

21. What will ye? Shall I come unto you with the rod?