1 Corinthians 4:1-13 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:7

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 have them consider, and whatever difference was made between them and others, was made, not by man, but God; that whatever good and benefit they had enjoyed under their respective ministers, were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:8

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 of joy and peace in believing; nor of goodness and spiritual knowledge; but they were full of themselves, and were pulled up in their fleshly minds with an opinion of their abilities, learning,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:9

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 ascension; or in state and condition, who though they were set in the first place in the church, yet were the least in the esteem of men; and were treated as the most mean, vile, and abject of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:10

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 . This is ironically said; for his meaning is not that they were truly wise in Christ, in the knowledge and faith of him, in preaching his Gospel, or professing his name; but they were so in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:11

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 thirst, and are naked ; wanted the common necessaries of life, food to eat, and raiment to put on, and gold and silver to purchase any with; which might be, when, as it was sometimes their case,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:12

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 had a right and power to claim a maintenance of those to whom he ministered. Being reviled, we bless ; as Christ commanded, Matthew 5:44 and the apostle himself directed and exhorted to, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:13

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's direction, Matthew 5:44 and in imitation of his example, Luke 23:34 or we entreat them; so the Syriac version reads it, בעינן מנהון , "we beseech them": not to blaspheme and speak evil... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:1

Let a man so account of us - This is a continuation of the subject in the preceding chapter; and should not have been divided from it. The fourth chapter would have begun better at 1 Corinthians 4:6 , and the third should have ended with the fifth verse ( 1 Corinthians 4:5 ;). As of the ministers of Christ - Ως ὑπηρετας Χριστου . The word ὑπηρετης means an under-rower, or one, who, in the trireme, quadrireme, or quinquereme galleys, rowed in one of the undermost benches; but... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:3

It is a very small thing that I should be judged of you - Those who preferred Apollos or Kephas before St. Paul, would of course give their reasons for this preference; and these might, in many instances, be very unfavourable to his character as a man, a Christian, or an apostle; of this he was regardless, as he sought not his own glory, but the glory of God in the salvation of their souls. Or of man's judgment - Η ὑπο ανθρωπινης ἡμερας , literally, or of man's day: but ανθρωπινη... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:4

For I know nothing by myself - Ουδεν γαρ εμαυτῳ συνοιδα· I am not conscious that I am guilty of any evil, or have neglected to fulfill faithfully the duty of a steward of Jesus Christ. The import of the verb συνειδειν is to be conscious of guilt; and conscire has the same meaning: so, in Horace, Nil Conscire sibi , to know nothing to one's self, is the same as nulla pellescere culpa , not to grow pale at being charged with a crime, through a consciousness of guilt. Yet am I not... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:4

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