1 Coríntios 4:15-5:7 NVIPT

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

A final appeal and exhortation 4:14-21Paul concluded this first major section of the epistle (1 Corinthians 1:10 to 1 Corinthians 4:21) by reasserting his apostolic authority, which had led to his correcting the Corinthians’ shameful conduct and carnal philosophy. He changed the metaphor again and now appealed to them as a father to his children. He ended by warning them that if they did not respond to his gentle approach he would have to be more severe. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Christian Teachers only the Instruments of GodThe folly and sin of quarrelling about different teachers who are but servants of Christ and responsible to Him.1-5. Paraphrase. ’You have been engaged in strife about the merits and position of your teachers. Consider for a moment what they are. They have no authority of their own; they only bear Christ’s messages. (2-4) Servants are responsible to their master; and so I am responsible not to you or to any man, but to Christ. (5) Have patience... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Corinthians 4:15

(15) For.—The reason why he has a right to address them as a father would his children. They may have had since their conversion a host of instructors, but they could have only one father who begot them in Jesus Christ. That father was Paul. “I have begotten you.” I, emphatic as opposed to “many.” The word rendered “instructors” originally signified the slave who led the child to school, but subsequently had the larger meaning, which we attach to the word pedagogue. (See Galatians 3:24-25.)... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Secrets Made Known 1 Corinthians 4:1 The point for us is, 'What does the word "mystery" mean in the New Testament?' Mystery in the New Testament means one thing only, and that is something which has been kept secret for centuries, but has at last been revealed. And I am going to speak to you about five secrets five mysteries if you like five things which have been kept secret since the foundation of the world, but which have at last been told us. Now what are those five secrets? I. What was... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Chapter 7THE MINISTRYSo keenly alive is Paul to the danger and folly of party spirit in the Church, that he has still one more word of rebuke to utter. He has shown the Corinthians that to give their faith to one teacher, and shut their ears to every other form of truth than that which he delivers, is to impoverish and defraud themselves. All teachers are theirs, and are sent, not to win disciples to themselves, who may spread their fame and reflect credit on their talents, but to serve the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

CHAPTER 4 1. Servants of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God. (1 Corinthians 4:1-5 ). 2. Contrast Between Self-Glorification and Humiliation. (1 Corinthians 4:6-13 ). 3. Admonition to Beloved Children. (1 Corinthians 4:14-21 ). Paul speaks of himself and the fellow workmen as servants of Christ and the stewards of the mysteries of God. They were serving under Christ. Apollos, though not an Apostle, is included by Paul. Apollos with his great eloquence probably appealed strongly to... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

But while we are not to exalt a ministering servant, no more are we to despise him or his work. The apostles should certainly be recognized for what they actually were, "ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God." They both served Christ, and ministered Christ to others; and were entrusted with a stewardship in reference to rightly administering the truth of the mysteries of God which had been revealed to them for the sake of all the saints of God. How blessed an honor, yet... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

THE CAUSE AND CURE OF DISPUTES This epistle was written by Paul probably during the latter part of his long visit to Ephesus, and it will add interest to its study to re-read Acts 18-20, which speak of his visit to both cities, Ephesus and Corinth. The occasion for its writing, as given in 1 Corinthians 1:11 ; 1 Corinthians 7:1 , was a visit to Paul of a member “of the house of Chloe,” who brought a written communication to him as well as verbal reports of conditions in the church. These... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Paul's Conception of the Ministry 1 Corinthians 4:0 The Apostle is not referring to some particular man when he uses the apparently specific term "a man"; he means, let every one, any one, all persons, take this view of the Christian ministry. It is not a view to be taken by one or two, or a specific few; it is the view that is complete and final: nothing can be added to it, no modification of it can lawfully take place. The ministry of Christ is a stewardship, "as of the ministers of Christ";... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

(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. (16) Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. (17) For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, 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 everywhere in every church. (18) Now... read more